Kamala Harris' approval rating rises by 8% in a week after Biden drops out of race

United States Vice President Kamala Harris' public favourability rating spiked by nearly 8 percent compared to last week after President Joe Biden dropped from the presidential re-election campaign, new poll data revealed.

Kamala Harris approval rating now stands at 43 percent to 42 per cent favourable to unfavourable, ABC News reported while citing an Ipsos poll. The ABC News/Ipsos poll was conducted using Ipsos' Knowledge Panel. Last week, the same poll placed her with a 35 to 46 percent favourable to unfavourable rating.

After Joe Biden's July 20 announcement that he would conclude his re-election campaign, several major Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, supported Harris's candidacy for the upcoming presidential polls.

With fresh poll predictions, the shift in voter sentiments appears to be driven primarily by independent voters, who now favour Harris' by a margin of 44 to 40 percent. These voters were at 28 percent favourable to 47 percent unfavourable in last week's poll.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump's approval rating took a plunge and now stands at 36 percent favourable to 53 percent unfavourable. Earlier in last week's poll, it was at 40 percent favourable, and 51 percent unfavourable.

The ABC News/Ipsos poll also assessed the favourability ratings of Harris's potential running mates.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear secured 13% favourable to 9% unfavourable, with 77% having no opinion or being unsure; California Governor Gavin Newson (21%, 33%, 45%); Josh Shapiro (17%, 13%, 68%); Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (20%, 21%, 57%); North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (7%, 8%, 84%); Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (22%, 12%, 65%); and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (6%, 7%, 86%).

Harris is expected to make her decision within the next two weeks, considering the timeline leading up to the Democrats' planned virtual roll call to officially nominate her for the presidency.