In the aftermath of last week's vice presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris has surged ahead of former President Donald Trump, according to the latest survey conducted by Morning Consult. The poll shows that Harris has now established a significant 6-point lead over Trump, with 51% of likely voters favoring the Democratic nominee, compared to 45% for the former president.

The survey, which was conducted from September 13 to 15, involved a sample size of 11,022 likely U.S. voters. Among those who watched the debate, an overwhelming majority of 61% believed that Harris emerged as the winner, contradicting Trump's claims of victory. This strong performance in the debate has further solidified Harris' lead, with her current 6-point margin surpassing the 3-point advantage she held prior to the debate.

Eli Yokely, a political analyst at Morning Consult, highlighted the positive news cycle that Harris has been enjoying among the likely electorate this year, leading to her reaching her highest numbers yet in the head-to-head contest against Trump. He stated that Harris' post-debate bump of 3 points "appears to be crystalizing her national lead over the former president."

The survey also revealed record-high support for Harris among key demographics including Democrats, Biden 2020 voters, liberals, women, 18-34-year-olds, and millennials. This widespread support from various demographic groups further reinforces Harris' strong position in the race.

Morning Consult's findings align with other national polls, which consistently show Harris leading Trump, albeit by smaller margins. The 538 polling average currently puts Harris ahead by 2.9 points, with 48.3% of likely voters favoring her, compared to 45.45% for Trump.

As Harris continues to build momentum, the survey highlights the challenges faced by the former president in regaining the lead. It remains to be seen how the upcoming debates and campaign events will shape the dynamics of the race in the months leading up to the election.