Support for Tim Walz Surpasses J.D. Vance in ABC News Poll
In a recent ABC News report, it was revealed that Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has garnered more favorable public approval compared to the Republican nominee, J.D. Vance. The survey conducted by Langer Research Associates and Ipsos found that 39% of respondents held a positive impression of Walz, while only 30% had a negative view of him. In contrast, Vance’s favorable-unfavorable rating stood at 32%-42%.
Despite the relatively close numbers, there appears to be room for movement as a significant portion of respondents have yet to form an opinion on either candidate, with 31% supporting Walz and 26% supporting Vance.
Public Opinion on Vice Presidential Selection
Another interesting finding from the poll was the public’s view on the vice presidential selections made by Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The survey revealed that 52% supported Harris’s selection of Walz, while only 4% supported Trump’s choice of Vance. Furthermore, 45% disapproved of Walz’s selection, compared to 50% who disapproved of Vance’s.
Historically, vice presidential candidates have elicited varying levels of public approval. For example, in 1996, Jack Kemp enjoyed a 67% approval rating, while Sarah Palin’s initial approval rating in 2008 was 60%. It is worth noting that Palin’s popularity was later seen as a liability for the campaign.
Demographic Trends and Candidate Support
Support for Tim Walz over J.D. Vance was particularly strong in the Midwest, with a 15-percentage point difference favoring Walz. Despite some controversy surrounding Walz’s military service description, both veterans and non-veterans viewed him favorably. Similarly, Vance received favorable ratings from veterans, albeit slightly higher than Walz.
When analyzing support by political affiliation, it was evident that Republicans and conservatives were more likely to approve of Vance, while Democrats and liberals overwhelmingly supported Walz. Among independents, who are often considered swing voters, support for Walz was slightly higher than for Vance.
In terms of favorability, Vance garnered high approval ratings from Trump voters, Republicans, and conservatives. On the other hand, Walz was most favored by Biden voters, Democrats, and liberals. The data also showed that Walz had significant support among college graduates and African Americans.
Overall, the ABC News survey provides valuable insights into public opinion surrounding the vice presidential candidates and highlights the importance of candidate support across various demographic groups.
