U.S Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a slight lead over Republican Donald Trump, following President Joe Biden's announcement to end his re-election bid and endorse her. In the latest poll, Harris is ahead by a narrow margin of 44% to 42%.

This poll, conducted shortly after the Republican National Convention where Trump formally accepted his party's nomination, highlights a shift from a previous survey showing Biden trailing Trump by two points before he exited the race.

Harris, who has secured the Democratic nomination, shows a marginal lead within the poll's 3-percentage-point margin of error. In mid-July, both Harris and Trump were tied at 44%, with Trump holding a slight one-point lead in early July.

While national polls indicate general support, the ultimate decision in the U.S. presidential race comes down to key swing states in the Electoral College.

Tony Fabrizio, a pollster for Trump's campaign, downplayed the increase in Harris' support, attributing it to temporary media coverage following her new candidacy. "This bump is likely to start showing itself over the next few days and will last for a while," Fabrizio noted in a memo.

Candidates typically expect a rise in popularity after accepting their party's nomination during widely televised conventions. However, the poll indicated no significant boost for Trump following his acceptance.

Harris Seen as More Capable Than Biden and Trump

In terms of perceived mental sharpness and capability, 56% of registered voters believe Harris, 59, is well-equipped to handle challenges. This compares to 49% for Trump, 78, and only 22% for Biden, 81. Biden's decision to end his re-election bid came after a debate where he struggled to respond effectively to Trump’s attacks.

Harris enjoys a 91% favorability rating among Democratic voters, compared to 80% for Biden. A significant majority of Democratic voters support consolidating behind Harris, with three-quarters in agreement.

When voters were presented with a hypothetical scenario including independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Harris led Trump 42% to 38%, outside the margin of error. Kennedy garnered 8% support but has not yet qualified for ballots in many states.

Campaigning in Wisconsin, a pivotal battleground state, Harris has received backing from major party figures. Attention now turns to her choice of running mate. Many voters remain unfamiliar with potential candidates for the vice-presidential spot. About 25% of registered voters have not heard of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who holds the highest favorability rating among potential picks. California Governor Gavin Newsom is similarly unfamiliar to about one-third of voters, while half have not heard of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and two-thirds know little about Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

This online poll surveyed 1,241 U.S. adults, including 1,018 registered voters.

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