Heading into presidential debate season, former Vice President Joe Biden edges out President Donald Trump in favorability ratings from the American people, 46% to 41%, while the candidates’ running mates are roughly tied in favorability. Sen. Kamala Harris, running for vice president on the Democratic ticket, is viewed favorably by 42% of Americans, similar to the 41% rating for Republican Vice President Mike Pence…

Trump is better viewed today than he was at the same stage of the campaign in 2016 when 33% viewed him favorably and 62% unfavorably. Trump’s ratings that year hadn’t improved by Election Day when 34% viewed him favorably and 62% unfavorably. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, also suffered from sub-40% favorability in a late August/early September poll. And while her favorable rating rose to 43% by Election Day, it was still among the lowest for presidential candidates since Gallup began measuring favorability with this question wording in 1992.