After a tumultuous four years marked by political chaos, mishandling of the pandemic, and a struggling economy, Donald Trump faced low approval ratings as he lost his bid for re-election to Joe Biden in 2020. However, a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post/ABC/Ipsos has revealed that Trump's popularity has taken an even sharper decline, while Vice President Kamala Harris has been steadily gaining favorability.

The poll, released on Sunday morning, showed that Trump now has a net favorability rating of minus-22, with only 35% of respondents viewing him positively and 57% holding a negative opinion. In contrast, Harris received a more favorable rating, with a net favorability rating of plus-1, as 45% of those polled viewed her positively compared to 44% who held a negative view.

These numbers reflect a significant shift since Trump's departure from office in January 2021, where he held a favorability rating of 38%. It appears that Trump's popularity has continued to wane as the months have gone by.

One noteworthy finding of the poll is the shift among independent voters, who have moved from a plus-4 favorability rating for Trump to a plus-11 for Harris. This surge in support among independents has contributed to Harris now holding a 6-point lead over Trump among likely voters.

In a head-to-head matchup among registered voters, Harris currently leads Trump by a margin of 49% to 45%. When third-party candidates are included, Harris still maintains an advantage with 47% support, while Trump trails with 44%. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. garners 5% support among respondents.

While pollsters caution that Harris' leads are within the margins of error for most polls, it is evident that the campaign dynamic has shifted since Biden exited the race in July. The upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the subsequent debate between Harris and Trump on September 10 present an opportunity for Democrats to build on this momentum.

The Washington Post/ABC/Ipsos poll indicates that the election remains highly competitive, with seven swing states - Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada - likely to determine the outcome in the electoral college. Other polls have also shown Harris gaining ground in these key battleground states since Biden stepped aside, although the race in most of these states still falls within the range of a normal polling error.

Enthusiasm among Democratic supporters has surged, as 62% of Harris voters indicate strong support for their candidate, a significant increase compared to the 34% who strongly supported Biden in the previous month. Biden's decision to withdraw from the race in July and endorse Harris has sealed Democratic unity behind the new candidate and dramatically altered the course of the election.

As the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago, followed by the highly anticipated debate between Harris and Trump, Democrats will be looking to capitalize on this newfound momentum and solidify their chances of victory in the upcoming presidential election.