In this year's White House race, Vice President Kamala Harris, joined by running mate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is campaigning for the White House against former President Trump and his VP pick, Ohio lawmaker J.D. Vance.

Polls have shown Harris quickly closing Trump's lead in critical battleground states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Across the country, the vice president is also seeing remarkable enthusiasm for her campaign which President Biden lacked during his own time as a 2024 contender.

As Harris and Trump prepare to debate one another on September 10, there's been talk of a possible Walz vs. Vance debate as well.

It is traditional for the presidential nominees and their running mates to face off on the debate stage at least once during each election. Though new polling indicates the vice president may be going into next month's debate with a considerable advantage over her GOP opponent.

New data from the Associated Press/NORC Research Center

When seeking the presidency, a candidate's public perception is a major factor. This impacts whether voters like them and are eager to show up for them on Election Day.

Just yesterday, the Associated Press and NORC Research Center showed that Harris is viewed more favorably by the electorate in terms of critical attributes. Almost five in ten voters described the vice president as being "disciplined" and committed to US democracy. However, barely three out of ten said the same about Trump.

Similar perceptions hold true to voters' views of honesty. Less than 25% of the country described the former president as "honest." However, 40% see Harris as a truthful contender seeking the Oval Office.

When breaking down policy points, Trump and the current vice president each have their strong suits. Voters are more likely to favor the former over the latter on issues like the economy and immigration. Though when dealing with racial matters, abortion, and healthcare, Harris is seen as the favorite over Trump.

Expect more surveys like this

Between now and November 5, the American people can look forward to similar studies from pollsters. After all, the public sentiment of voters provides tangible insight into which candidate is most likely to win. It also helps gauge which matters are top of mind for Americans.