By Alex P. Vidal
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.”— Otto von Bismarck
THERE are significant shifts in the 2024 U.S. presidential race based on a new poll as of August 27 from the Florida Atlantic University Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab (PolCom Lab) and Mainstreet Research USA, underscoring deep gender and racial divides among voters across the United States.
According to the most recent report by Joshua Glanzer of PolCom Lab, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has taken the lead over former U.S. President Donald Trump nationally, with 47 percent of voters supporting her compared to Trump’s 43 percent.
Among likely voters, Harris leads 49 percent to 45 percent. She has gained strong support among women, with 53 percent backing her, while 45 percent of men favor her. Trump’s base remains predominantly male, with 47 percent support from men, compared to 41 percent from women.
Harris also holds substantial advantages among Black voters (73 percent), Hispanic voters (51 percent), and white college-educated voters (57 percent). Trump, however, continues to command strong support among white voters without a college degree, with 59 percent favoring him.
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“Since her elevation to the top of the ticket, Vice President Harris has effectively appealed to women voters, and the gender gap has become more pronounced,” said Luzmarina Garcia, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science at FAU. “Harris has also reestablished the Democratic Party’s advantage with minority voters.”
Trump’s support reportedly erodes among Independents. Harris has also made significant inroads among independent voters, now capturing 48 percent of their support, compared to Trump’s 35 percent. This marks a notable shift from July when Independents were more evenly split, with 45 percent backing Harris and 43 percent supporting Trump.
“Trump is losing support from Independents compared to July, which could be a result of the Democratic Party convention and remains to be watched,” said Dukhong Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at FAU. “If this pattern persists, it will be difficult for Trump to maintain an advantage in the election.”
Election Anxiety: Mixed Emotions Ahead of 2024. The poll reveals a stark emotional divide as the election approaches, with negative emotions slightly outweighing positive ones by 44 percent to 41 percent. This emotional split becomes more pronounced when viewed through the lens of voting intentions:
Harris supporters: 52 percent positive, 35 percent negative; Trump supporters: 34 percent positive, 49 percent negative; Undecided voters: 23 percent positive, 50 percent negative.
Notably, 27 percent of Democrats reported feeling excited about the election, while 32 percent of Republicans expressed fear.
“While Democrats seem energized by the Harris-Walz ticket, there’s a significant undercurrent of anxiety across the electorate,” said Carol Bishop Mills, Ph.D., professor of communication and co-director of the PolCom Lab. “These findings highlight the intense political polarization and uncertainty surrounding this election.”
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Our regular contributor, chess National Master Marlon Bernardino, has reported that Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ most trusted financial partner, recently presented double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo with a bespoke set of gold bars in the occasion marked not only by a tribute to Yulo’s remarkable achievements, but also a testament to Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to honor outstanding Filipino athletes and support Philippine sports.
Bernardino said Yulo, whose gymnastic prowess has captivated the world, received a one-of-a-kind set of gold bars meticulously crafted by Cebuana Lhuillier with one bar made and minted after his likeness. Each bar bears the weight of Yulo’s historic victories—the embodiment of dedication, discipline, and sheer talent.
At an exclusive event, Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier Chairman and Founder Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier personally bestowed the golden tribute upon Carlos Yulo. The room buzzed with excitement as Yulo held the gleaming bars—a tangible representation of his relentless pursuit of excellence.
In a heartfelt address, Jean Henri Lhuillier shared his admiration for Carlos Yulo’s journey: “Today, we celebrate not just medals and records, but the indomitable spirit of a young man who defied odds, pushed boundaries, and made our nation proud. To Carlos, these gold bars symbolize more than metal—they represent your unwavering commitment to greatness. May they inspire you to continue reaching new heights.”
Ambassador Lhuillier also lauded Yulo’s triumphs saying he has eternally etched a legacy in Philippine history, much like how Cebuana Lhuillier endeavors to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos. He enthused: “As a company deeply rooted in Filipino culture, Cebuana Lhuillier recognizes that true wealth lies not only in material possessions but in the pursuit of dreams and the celebration of human achievement”.
Jean Henri, who is also President of the National Sports Association, fully understands how important sports development is to the country beginning from the grassroots level. It is for this reason that Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, which Jean Henri also spearheads, has given an undisclosed donation to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines so as to entice more aspiring gymnasts to follow the path of Carlos and also go for the Olympic gold.
Apart from the new gold haul, Carlos was also given first class accommodations at Calatagan, Batangas’ premiere resort, Nawa Wellness, where he can relax and rejuvenate away from it all.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)
