Kamala Harris, now running for president with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP pick, has gained a lead over Donald Trump in several recent polls. SurveyUSA, Morning Consult, YouGov, and CBS News show Harris with a slight edge, while UMass Amherst reports a seven-point swing in her favor since January. The positive trend comes after Biden’s decision to forgo re-election. While battleground state polls present a mixed picture, national trends and a positive favorability rating for Harris suggest strong momentum for the Democrats.
Mixed Results in Battleground States
Polls in key swing states reveal a tighter race. Public Policy Polling shows Harris slightly ahead in Georgia but trailing in Arizona and Pennsylvania. FiveThirtyEight averages indicate Harris leads in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, while Trump maintains a narrow lead in Arizona and Georgia. North Carolina shows a decreasing lead for Trump, from nine points in July to two points in August.
Overall Trends Favor Harris
Nationally, Harris maintains a two-point lead according to Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight, and shows increasing favorability since mid-July. Despite economic concerns, current polling momentum favors Harris, indicating a strong potential for her campaign as the election approaches.
BLOG 8
Olympic Wrestling’s Wild Day: From Disqualification to Breakthrough Gold
In a chaotic turn of events at the Paris Olympics, American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt seized her gold medal after India’s Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for failing to make weight. The day was filled with drama as Hildebrandt prepared for her match, unaware of the unfolding chaos involving her opponent.
Phogat, who naturally weighs 57 kg, spent the night desperately trying to shed pounds, even resorting to cutting her hair and drawing blood. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t meet the 50 kg limit and fainted due to dehydration, leading to her hospitalization and disqualification.
Phogat’s disqualification led to a national outcry in India, where she is celebrated as the first-ever wrestling medalist. The Indian wrestling community and fans were devastated, with calls for her silver medal to be restored. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even intervened, urging the Indian Olympic Association to appeal the decision, but to no avail.
Back in Paris, Hildebrandt initially thought she had won by default, celebrating with her family and friends. However, she was soon informed that she would face Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba, who had lost to Phogat in the semifinals. The unprecedented situation left everyone in confusion, but Hildebrandt remained focused.
In the final match, Hildebrandt defeated Lopez 3-0, securing her long-awaited gold medal. The victory was a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance, with Hildebrandt having previously fallen short in multiple major competitions.
Reflecting on her journey, Hildebrandt expressed immense joy and relief. She had faced numerous challenges, including self-doubt and physical strain. Her victory was not just a testament to her skill but also her resilience.
Following her win, Hildebrandt shared her excitement about indulging in her favorite foods, having maintained a strict diet for over a year. She humorously mentioned her plans to enjoy meals without the usual dietary restrictions that come with being a professional wrestler.
As Hildebrandt celebrated her triumph, she also empathized with Phogat, acknowledging the harsh realities of weight-cutting in wrestling. The incident highlighted the extreme measures athletes sometimes take to compete at the highest levels.
Overall, the day was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Hildebrandt’s breakthrough gold providing a dramatic and inspiring conclusion to the chaos.
