August 6, 2024
The Harris Veepstakes
Potential Dem VP Picks with Low Name Recognition... Kelly & Shapiro Fare Better than Walz
The Democrats on Vice President Kamala Harris’ Veepstakes shortlist are unknown to a good deal of Americans. However, Mark Kelly and Josh Shapiro are better known and are more popular than Tim Walz. On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, has become better known to Americans, with increasing negative ratings. Atop the tickets, residents divide about Vice President Kamala Harris’ likeability while Trump’s favorable rating remains upside down.
Kelly is viewed favorably by 31% of Americans to 18% unfavorable. 52% have either never heard of Kelly or are unsure how to rate him.
25% of U.S. residents have a favorable view of Shapiro compared with 23% unfavorable. 53% have either never heard of Shapiro or are unsure how to rate him.
Walz is viewed positively by 17% of U.S. residents. 12% have an unfavorable view of Walz, and 71% have either never heard of Walz or are unsure how to rate him.
34% of Americans have a favorable opinion of Vance, compared with 28% in late July. Vance’s unfavorable rating has increased to 43% from 31%. More than one in five (23%) have either never heard of Vance or are unsure how to rate him.
46% of U.S. residents have a favorable view of Harris to 48% unfavorable. In late July, her score was 40% favorable to 44% unfavorable. 15%, at that time, had never heard of Harris or were unsure how to rate her.
44% of Americans have a favorable view of Trump to 53% unfavorable. Three percent are unsure. Previously, Trump received a favorable score of 43% to 49% unfavorable. Eight percent were unsure how to rate him.
"In the long run, the pick of vice-presidential candidates does not usually tell the tale of the tape," says Lee M. Miringoff, Director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. "But Democrats are hoping their generally unknown choice will fare better than Vance did after his introduction to the public."