Kamala Harris builds lead over Donald Trump, is seen as debate winner, poll shows

Democratic US Vice-President Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump 47 per cent to 42 per cent in the race to win the November 5 presidential election, increasing her advantage after a debate against the former US president that voters largely think she won, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Thursday.

The two-day poll showed Harris with a five percentage point lead among registered voters, just above the four-point advantage she had over Trump in an August 21-28 Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Among voters who said they had heard at least something about Tuesday’s debate, 53 per cent said Harris won and 24 per cent said Trump won, with the rest saying neither had or not answering.

Some 52 per cent of respondents said that Trump stumbled and did not appear sharp, while 21 per cent said that of Harris.

Harris, 59, put Trump, 78, on the defensive in a combative presidential debate with a stream of attacks on his fitness for office and his myriad legal woes.