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Race Tied: Harris, Trump Split Evenly At 47% In Final CNN Poll

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In the final CNN/SSRS poll ahead of the 2024 election, the presidential race remains a dead heat, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump drawing 47% of support among likely voters.

The poll underscores the highly polarized nature of this year’s election, with both candidates maintaining steady support throughout a shortened and intense campaign.

Stable Support Throughout the Campaign

CNN’s polling has consistently shown a tight contest between Harris and Trump. In September, likely voters split at 48% for Harris and 47% for Trump, echoing today’s figures.

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Even over the summer, shortly after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris, the candidates’ numbers remained close. In that survey, Trump held a narrow edge with 49% support from registered voters, compared to Harris’s 46%.

This election marks a departure for Trump, who has not trailed outside the margin of error in CNN polling since Biden’s departure from the race.

In his previous campaigns, Trump regularly trailed his opponents by larger margins at different points in the election cycle.

Few Undecided Voters, Deep Commitment to Candidates

The poll shows that 85% of likely voters made up their minds early about which party they would support, with just 15% switching their choice along the way.

As the campaign draws to a close, only 2% of likely voters remain undecided, while another 9% say they could still change their minds. Voters who have locked in their decisions are nearly evenly divided, with 50% backing Harris and 49% Trump.

Those open to switching tilt slightly toward Trump and include a larger share of minor-party and independent candidates (38% Trump, 31% Harris, 30% other).

Motivation among voters also varies. Among those committed to their candidate, 70% are “extremely motivated” to vote, compared to just 27% among those who might change their minds.

Harris Leads Among Early Voters, Trump Gains Among Election Day Voters

The poll, conducted October 20-23, highlights a significant trend as early voting and absentee ballots are underway.

About 20% of likely voters report having already cast their ballots, and among them, 61% support Harris while 36% support Trump.

However, among those who have yet to vote, Trump holds a 50% to 44% edge.

Mixed Reviews of Biden Presidency and Public Mood

The election season is unfolding amid negative views on President Biden’s term and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction with the country’s direction.

Nearly half (49%) say they are worse off financially than a year ago, a notable rise from 41% who said the same earlier this year. Only 32% believe things in the U.S. are going well—a low not seen since 2008, when the country was in economic crisis.

Biden’s approval ratings are also underwater at 36%, while 64% disapprove. Among likely voters who disapprove of Biden’s performance, 19% say they will support Harris—a level of loyalty rare for vice presidents running for the top office.

Favorability Challenges for Both Candidates

Registered voters view both candidates unfavorably overall, with Harris holding a 41% favorability rating and Trump close at 41%, both with higher unfavorable ratings (52% for Harris, 54% for Trump).

The candidates’ running mates, JD Vance for Trump and Tim Walz for Harris, are less familiar to the public, with Walz viewed evenly (34% favorable, 34% unfavorable) and Vance viewed more negatively (33% favorable, 43% unfavorable).

Harris supporters are mostly motivated by a positive view of her (54%), though 45% are voting mainly to oppose Trump—a figure that has grown by 5 points since September.

Trump’s base is more consolidated, with 73% saying their vote is to support him directly rather than to oppose Harris.

Voter Opinions on Candidate Qualities and Issue Handling

Voters give Harris an edge on qualities like caring about people (43% Harris, 37% Trump), honesty and trustworthiness (41% Harris, 29% Trump), and putting the country’s interests above her own (45% Harris, 39% Trump).

Trump, however, holds a lead on delivering change (44% Trump, 38% Harris) and sharing voters’ vision for the country (43% Trump, 39% Harris).

Notably, 29% of voters believe neither candidate is honest, with those voters breaking for Trump 58% to 25%.

Harris, meanwhile, leads among voters who say neither candidate would bring necessary change (52% Harris to 23% Trump).

Voters remain divided on Trump’s temperament (56% cite it as a reason to vote against him) and the criminal charges he faces (51% cite as a concern).

Harris is viewed more positively on these fronts, with 45% citing her temperament as a reason to vote for her.

Trump’s record as president is seen nearly evenly as a reason to vote for (45%) or against him (43%), and he maintains a positive perception for his business record.

Key Issues Show Sharp Divides

Trump holds a strong lead on handling the economy (50% to Harris’ 37%) and immigration (50% to 34%), while Harris is more trusted on abortion (52% to 31%) and protecting democracy (45% to 41%).

Voters who see abortion as a deciding factor rose to 31% this poll, compared to 26% who view immigration the same way.

Demographic Divides and Congressional Outlook

Harris leads with women (50% to 44%), younger voters under 35 (51% to 41%), and people of color, including a wide 79% to 13% lead among Black voters. Suburban voters lean Harris by a narrow 52% to 44%, especially suburban women (55% to 41%).

Trump is supported by men (51% to 45%), white voters (55% to 41%), rural communities (64% to 31%), and those who did not vote in 2020 (50% to 40%). White voters without a college degree back Trump 62% to 34%, while those with a degree are nearly split.

Looking toward Congress, the poll shows no clear advantage, with 48% supporting the Republican candidate in their district compared to 45% for Democrats.

The CNN/SSRS poll was conducted online and by phone October 20-23, surveying 1,704 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points for the full sample and 3.1 points for likely voters.

 

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US Diplomats In Israel For High-Stake-Talks On Lebanon Truce

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Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.

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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.

Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.

In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.

Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”

Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.

Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.

In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.

However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.

Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”

This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.

As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.

Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”

Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.

 

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Deadly Super Typhoon Kong-rey Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan

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Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.

Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.

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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.

Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.

Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath

Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.

Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.

In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.

First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.

The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.

Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.

A Country on High Alert

Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.

Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.

“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.

Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change

Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.

Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.

Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient

As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.

Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.

Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.

 

 

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Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem As New Secretary-General After Nasrallah’s Death

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Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general, following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces last month.

The announcement was made by the group’s media office in a statement on Tuesday.

Hezbollah’s Senior Council stated that the selection of Qassem adhered to the group’s established leadership protocols.

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Known for his deep-rooted commitment to “Prophet Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and Hezbollah’s founding principles, Qassem brings decades of experience within the organization.

Qassem, who has long served as a prominent figure within Hezbollah, was a close associate of Nasrallah and previously held the position of deputy secretary-general.

The leadership change comes at a volatile time, with increased regional tensions and ongoing conflicts impacting Lebanon.

 

 

 

More to follow………. 

 

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