Poll: More Americans Favor Walz Over Vance as VP Pick

Recent polling data reveals that Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz is garnering a more favorable public perception compared to his Republican counterpart, JD Vance. According to a new survey by ABC News, Washington Post, and Ipsos, a greater number of Americans view Walz positively, particularly in response to his selection for the second-highest office in the country.

In the poll, 39% of respondents said they have a favorable opinion of Walz, contrasting with 30% who view him unfavorably. On the other hand, Vance’s favorable rating stands at 32%, with a significantly higher unfavorable score of 42%. This suggests a less favorable reception for Vance among the public.

The poll indicates room for potential shifts in opinion, as a considerable portion of participants—31% for Walz and 26% for Vance—expressed no opinion about either candidate. This could suggest an opportunity for both campaigns to shape the narratives around their vice-presidential candidates as the election approaches.

Another key metric in this survey shows that 52% of those polled approve of Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision to choose Walz, while 45% are in favor of former President Donald Trump’s selection of Vance. The disapproval ratings tell a similar story; 44% disapprove of Walz’s selection, while Vance’s disapproval rating is slightly higher at 50%.

Historically, other vice-presidential picks have enjoyed more substantial approval ratings. For instance, Jack Kemp received a 67% approval rating when selected as Bob Dole’s running mate in 1996. Similarly, John McCain saw an initial 60% approval for his choice of Sarah Palin in 2008, although she is widely viewed as a campaign liability. In the 2020 election, Harris had a 54% approval for her selection.

In the Midwest, where both candidates have political roots, support for Walz has increased significantly. The poll shows that 55% of Midwesterners approve of Walz’s nomination, compared to just 40% for Vance. Furthermore, favorable views of each candidate reflect a similar trend, with 39% viewing Walz positively compared to 29% for Vance. Interestingly, Democrats and Republican-leaning independents appear evenly matched in this region, each comprising 46% of the segment surveyed.

Despite a dispute regarding Walz’s portrayal of his military service, his favorability remains consistent among veterans, with 41% offering positive feedback, contrasted with 39% of non-veterans. Vance, however, enjoys a higher favorability rating among veterans, standing at 48%. Additionally, 56% of veterans approve of Vance’s selection, along with 50% for Walz, indicating similar levels of support in this demographic.

The polling data accentuates the expected partisan and ideological divisions regarding the vice-presidential choices. An impressive 82% of Republicans and 77% of conservatives back the selection of Vance, whereas Walz sees 92% approval among Democrats and 87% among liberals.

When it comes to independents, who often play a pivotal role in elections, support for Vance slips to 42%, whereas Walz enjoys a more favorable 49%. This split could prove crucial in closely contested states where independent voters might sway the final outcome.

Regarding Vance’s favorability, it peaks among groups such as Trump voters, where 75% have a positive impression. This trend continues among Republicans (68% approval) and conservatives (65%). Vance’s support also extends to white evangelical Protestants (59%), military veterans (48%), as well as rural residents (45%), all of whom were demographic areas Trump won decisively in 2020.

Conversely, Walz is most favorably regarded by those who supported Biden in the last election, with an approval rating of 82% among that group. Notably, 77% of Democrats and 78% of liberals also view him positively, alongside 53% of college graduates and 50% of Black voters.

This survey was conducted online from August 9 to 13, 2024, among a random national sample of 2,336 adults, achieving a partisan division of 29% Democrats, 29% Republicans, and 29% independents. The margin of error for these findings stands at 2 percentage points, allowing for nuanced insights into voter sentiment leading into the election.

Source: ABC News