Kamala Harris is finding herself in a tougher position than her Democratic predecessors, Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, as she faces President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. According to Real Clear Polling (RCP) data from August 31, 2024, Harris leads Trump by only 1.8 points nationally — a far narrower margin than the leads held by Biden and Clinton at this stage in their campaigns.

In 2020, Biden was ahead by 6.3 points at the same time, and Clinton led Trump by 4.6 points in 2016. Despite their larger leads, Clinton lost the election, and Biden’s victory was by narrow margins in several swing states. Harris’s smaller lead raises concerns about her ability to secure a win in November, especially in light of Trump’s history of outperforming polls in key states.

The Electoral College map reflects the tightness of the race, with Harris holding just a two-vote lead over Trump according to RCP’s projections. This razor-thin margin highlights the potential for another contentious election, particularly in swing states that could swing the election in either direction.

Harris’s campaign has also been marked by limited public engagement, with only one major interview as the Democratic nominee. During this interview, Harris attempted to reassure voters despite her past policy shifts, but her record as the most left-leaning Senator in 2019 continues to be a point of contention.

With the upcoming debates against Trump, Harris must find a way to solidify her lead and address the challenges that have left her trailing behind Biden and Clinton’s polling numbers at this critical juncture.