The results of the poll, conducted by Harvard University's Center for American Political Studies and Harris Insights and Analytics from July 19 to 20, were released on July 23. It polled more than 2,000 registered voters.
The announcement of the survey results followed RFK Jr.'s testimony before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government over the issue of censorship days earlier on July 20. The said hearing saw House Democrats attempt to prevent him from testifying, which ended in vain. (Related: Report: Democrats want to censor Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in censorship hearing.)
According to the Harvard-Harris poll, RFK Jr. has a net favorable rating (NFR) of 47 percent and a net unfavorable rating (NUR) of 26 percent. Subtracting the NUR from the NFR yields the total approval rating – in RFK Jr.'s case, 21 points.
In contrast, RFK Jr.'s fellow Democrats recorded approvals in the negative region. President Joe Biden registered a 39 percent NFR and a higher NUR of 53 percent, for an approval score of -14 points. Author and presidential candidate Marianne Williamson had an 18 percent NFR and a higher NUR of 23 percent, yielding a measly approval score of -5 points.
Former President Donald Trump had an NFR of 45 percent and an NUR of 49 percent, yielding a -4 approval rating. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had an NFR of 40 percent and 37 percent NUR, for an approval score of three points. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy tailed behind RFK Jr.'s 21-point total approval with his 16 points, courtesy of a 34 percent NFR and 18 percent NUR.
The poll also noted that RFK Jr.'s favorability remains high from both sides of the political spectrum. Forty-six percent of Republican-leaning voters said they favor him, while 41 percent of independent-leaning voters shared the same sentiment. Meanwhile, 51 percent of Democratic-leaning voters say they favor the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy.
Harvard-Harris poll spells bad news for Biden
A June 2023 poll by YouGov and the Economist also found that RFK Jr. had the highest favorability rating. Forty-nine percent viewed him favorably while 30 percent had an unfavorable view, yielding an approval score of 19.
The YouGov poll also recorded Biden having a 45 percent NFR and Trump tailing him with 43 percent. However, this didn't quite reflect on their total approval scores, with Biden recording -7 points while Trump recorded -10.
While the Harvard-Harris poll showed favorable results for RFK Jr., it wasn't the case for Biden.
Fifty-nine percent of all the survey's respondents said they have doubts about the incumbent president's mental fitness, with 85 percent of GOP voters and 71 percent of independents having that sentiment. Likewise, 66 percent of overall respondents say Biden is too old for the presidency. An overwhelming 91 percent of GOP voters say the 80-year-old is too old, a sentiment shared by three-fourths – 75 percent – of independents.
Sixty-four percent of overall respondents say Biden shouldn't run for a second term in 2024, up two points from 62 percent in June. Eighty-eight percent of GOP voters believe he should hang up his boots for good, something 75 percent of independents also agree upon. Meanwhile, 66 percent of Democratic-leaning voters say Biden should go for a second term.
Moreover, the Harvard-Harris poll noted that if the 2024 elections happened right then and there, Trump would win against Biden by a five-point margin. It also noted a Trump victory against Vice President Kamala Harris, with the real estate mogul leading by nine points. Interestingly, the poll did not indicate what would happen if RFK Jr. and Trump would race each other in the 2024 elections.
Head over to VoteDemocrat.news for more stories about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Watch Next News Network's Gary Franchi discussing the results of a poll showing doubts about President Joe Biden in the 2024 elections, which contribute to the rise of RFK Jr. as a candidate.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
RFK Jr. likes his chances against Biden in 2024 presidential primaries.
RFK Jr.'s favorability rating rises as Biden's satisfaction rating drops in separate polls.
Sources include:
HarvardHarrisPoll.com [PDF]
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