A recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll has revealed contrasting public perceptions of vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance. The survey, conducted from August 9-13, 2024, provides insights into the early stages of the upcoming election.
Tim Walz, selected by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate, has made a positive initial impression. The poll indicates that 39% of Americans view Walz favorably, while 30% have an unfavorable opinion, resulting in a net positive rating of nine points. Walz, who has been serving as Minnesota's governor since 2019, previously represented the state in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019.
On the other hand, JD Vance, chosen by former president Donald Trump as his vice presidential candidate, faces a more challenging reception. The poll shows that 32% of Americans have a favorable impression of Vance, while 42% view him unfavorably, resulting in a net favorability rating of -10 points. Vance, author of "Hillbilly Elegy" and a former venture capitalist, has been serving as a U.S. senator since January 2023.
Both candidates enjoy strong support within their respective parties. Vance's net favorability among Republicans stands at +55, while Walz boasts an even higher +72 among Democrats. However, Vance struggles to gain traction beyond typically Republican-leaning groups.
The poll reveals interesting demographic trends. Walz maintains positive ratings across various groups, including people under 40 (+16 points) and those 40 and older (+6 points). He is viewed positively by both men and women (+9 for each), and enjoys strong support among Black people (+41) and Latinos (+15).
Vance, however, faces challenges in broader appeal. He receives negative ratings among men (-12), women (-8), and across different age groups. Notably, Vance's net favorable rating is -10 among both parents and those without children at home, despite his criticism of Democratic leaders without biological children.
The candidates' educational backgrounds are reflected in their support base. Walz, a former high school geography teacher and football coach, is 18 points positive among White people with college degrees. In contrast, Vance is 22 points negative with the same group. Conversely, Vance is nine points positive among White people without bachelor's degrees, while Walz is 11 points negative.
"52 percent of Americans approve of Harris's choice of Walz as running mate and 44 percent disapprove. And 45 percent approve of Trump's choice of Vance, while 50 percent disapprove."
These approval ratings for vice presidential selections are more negative compared to past choices. In August 2020, 54% of Americans approved of Biden's selection of Harris, while in 2012, 51% approved of Mitt Romney's choice of Paul D. Ryan.
As the campaign progresses, both candidates will have opportunities to improve their standings. A debate between Walz and Vance is scheduled for October 1, 2024, which may influence public opinion further.
It's worth noting that both candidates bring diverse experiences to their roles. Walz served in the United States Army National Guard from 1981 to 2005, while Vance served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007. Their respective home states, Minnesota (the "Land of 10,000 Lakes") and Ohio (the "Buckeye State"), also play significant roles in shaping their political perspectives.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how these early impressions will evolve and impact the overall race for the White House.