(DCNF)—Vice President Kamala Harris may be leading former President Donald Trump in national polls, but political strategists point out that she is still underperforming compared to previous Democratic candidates in 2020 and 2016 at this point in the race.
Harris is currently outpacing former President Donald Trump across several national polls, boasting a 2.8 point lead according to FiveThirtyEight and a 1.4 point lead according to RealClearPolling. Harris is underperforming, however, in national polls and across key demographics compared to President Joe Biden and former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, and experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Harris’ “vibes” oriented campaign may be at fault.
“Vibes are for the people who can afford it,” Len Foxwell, a Democratic strategist based in Maryland, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “If you’re struggling to make ends meet and if your take home pay is less than your basic living expenses, you don’t care about the vibes. You want to hear plans about how to improve your living situation.”
“She hasn’t really been introduced to a lot of the country yet,” Jon McHenry, GOP polling analyst and vice president at North Star Opinion Research, told the DCNF. “They had a stage produced convention, and up until last month, she hasn’t been on the campaign trail. So, people are still trying to figure out who she is and what she stands for.”
“Most people think that the economy’s headed on the wrong track, they’re worried about their jobs, they’re worried about crime, they’re worried about open borders and they’re worried about national security,” John McLaughlin, a Trump campaign pollster and CEO of McLaughlin & Associates, told the DCNF. “Voters don’t feel good even though she’s trying to run a feel good campaign. She’s part of the problem, not the solution.”
Biden was leading Trump by over 7.5 points at 50.6% on September 8, 2020, while the then-President was trailing at 43%, according to FiveThirtyEight. He boasted a similar 7.1 point at this point in the race in RealClearPolling averagesfrom the same date, polling at 49.9% to Trump’s 42.8%.
Although Biden was polling substantially ahead of Trump, the current president won the election by just 4.4 points, bringing in 51.3% of the vote while the incumbent garnered 46.9% of the vote, according to CNN.
Clinton had been ahead by 3.2 points at this point in the race, polling at 42.1% while Trump trailed at 38.9%, according to the FiveThirtyEight national poll on September 8, 2016. She was also 2.8 points ahead of Trump according to RealClearPolling averages on the same date.
“Donald Trump is historically one of the great under-pollers in the history of American politics,” Foxwell told the DCNF. “There are a substantial number of Trump voters who are disinclined to share their voting preferences with a complete stranger over the phone. Adding to the unpredictability is the fact that we have the first woman of color seeking the presidency. I’m very concerned that we could be looking at an application of the so called Bradley Effect, where people will tell a pollster what they think is a socially acceptable answer, which is that they’re going to support Kamala Harris, and then in the privacy of their polling place, they’ll just do the opposite.”
“She may be a fresh face, and she’s not 80 years old, but she still has all the vulnerabilities that Biden had,” McHenry told the DCNF. “I mean, she’s part of the administration.”
At this point in the last election cycle, Biden was bringing in 82% of support from black voters while Trump only held 4% support, according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll from September 2020. Biden also outpaced Trump with Hispanics, with 56% supporting the now-President and just 24% supporting the incumbent.
Clinton boasted a similar polling advantage as Biden, leading with 92% among black voters while Trump brought in just 4% support, according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll from September 2016. Clinton’s advantage with Hispanic voters was also greater than Harris’, polling at 65% support compared to Trump’s 24% support among the demographic.
This time around, however, Trump has begun to close the gap among these key demographics. Trump is favored by 12% of black voters and 37% of Hispanic voters while Harris brought in just 76% and 53% support, respectively, according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll from Thursday.
“Trump has been actively campaigning the last three years to attract African American support, Hispanic support, young voters and independents,” McLaughlin told the DCNF. “Now it’s paying off, and she’s having a hard time getting back.”
“We need less vibes and more policy,” Foxwell told the DCNF. “We need a shift into a more substantive conversation of what she would do on matters such as the economy, the crisis on the southern border, and other issues that are considerable concerns to Americans.”
Trump’s chances of winning the electoral college are currently projected to be 60.1%, the highest since July 30, while Harris is behind at 39.7%, according to Nate Silver’s forecast from Sept. 5. Her odds slipped even more in swing states, with Trump projected to win in Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada, as well as tying with Harris in Michigan and Wisconsin.
“There’s room to debate the convention bounce stuff, but Harris has been getting a lot of mediocre state polls lately,” Silver wrote in a post on X.
McHenry said that the upcoming presidential debate on Tuesday will be a defining moment for Harris’ polling and her campaign.
“A sit down interview with your running mate on CNN is not exactly a stressful situation,” McHenry told the DCNF. “But having Donald Trump at the other podium questioning everything that she has said is going to be a stressful situation. What we’ve seen so far suggests that she’s not gonna handle that particularly well. She just shifts into word salad mode.”
“If she has a good debate, then she’ll probably reduce those deficits compared to where maybe Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden were four years ago,” McHenry continued. “If she has a bad debate, which is definitely on the table, she might lock in those deficits.”
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
