Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have made significant waves in the crowded Democratic field following the first Democratic presidential debate, according to a new CNN poll.
Former Vice President Joe Biden took a significant hit, a 10-point decline in support since the last CNN poll in May, but still leads all contenders with 22% of registered voters who are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents backing him. Harris sits at 17% with a 9-point increase and Warren at 15% with an 8-point increase.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has 14%.
The survey, conducted by SSRS through Sunday among a random sample of 1,613 adults, also found:
- 56% say the government should provide a national health insurance program for all Americans.
- Of those 56%, 57% say the program should not completely replace private health insurance.
- 61% said the Democratic Party should nominate a presidential candidate with a strong chance of beating President Donald Trump, compared with 30% who said the party should nominate a candidate who shares their positions on major issues.
- 41% of the voters who watched or followed news coverage about the debates say Harris did the best job in the debate, followed by Warren at 19% and Biden at 5%.
- 30% of potential Democratic voters say Harris is the candidate they most want to hear from.