Sept 23 V7N - A recent NBC News poll reveals that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican rival Donald Trump by 5 percentage points in the race for the presidency. The poll, conducted between Sept. 13-17, shows that 48% of 1,000 registered voters view Harris favorably, a significant jump from 32% in July, marking the largest increase in favorability for any politician in the poll since President George W. Bush's ratings surged after the Sept. 11 attacks.

In comparison, Trump, who is making his third consecutive bid for the White House, is viewed positively by 40% of voters, up slightly from 38% in July. The poll's margin of error is 3 percentage points.

A separate CBS News poll conducted from Sept. 18-20 also shows Harris leading Trump by 4 percentage points, 52% to 48%, among likely voters, with a margin of error of 2 percentage points. The findings from both polls suggest a competitive race as the Nov. 5 election approaches, though the outcome will ultimately be decided by key battleground states through the Electoral College.

Harris has been gaining momentum, with analysts noting that she has successfully shifted the focus of the election from a referendum on President Joe Biden to one on Trump. Her rise in favorability has been bolstered by her debate performance and recent improvements in the economy.

Meanwhile, Trump, 78, continues to claim false allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 election, while facing multiple criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the election results. If elected, Harris, 59, would make history as the first woman president of the United States.

END/WD/RH/