A recent poll reveals that Democrats have slightly more confidence in Vice President Harris’s ability to tackle climate change than President Biden’s.
According to a survey by the Associated Press-NORC Research Center, 85 percent of Democrats expressed “a lot” or “some” trust in Harris to address climate issues, compared to about three-quarters who said the same about Biden.
Climate issues have not been central to Harris’s vice-presidential role
Younger Democrats, particularly those under 45, show even greater trust in Harris, with 3 in 4 placing confidence in her, while nearly 60 percent trust Biden on the issue. Conversely, older Democrats tend to trust both Biden and Harris more than their younger counterparts.
The poll also highlights the emotional impact of climate change on younger Democrats. Approximately 60 percent of those under 45 reported feeling “anxious” about the issue, compared to about one-third of older Democrats.
This polling data comes just weeks after Harris took Biden’s place at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket following his withdrawal from the race. Harris’s candidacy has revitalized the party’s base, helping to close the gap with former President Trump, who led in polls against Biden.
Environmental advocates quickly rallied behind Harris, pointing to her history of investigating the oil industry and supporting the Green New Deal. Although climate issues have not been central to her vice-presidential role, Harris is seen as a strong advocate who can galvanize younger, progressive voters.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,143 adults from July 25-29, with a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points.
