Typically, when observing a closely contested election, if one candidate manages to eke out a small but consistent lead it means that they have found a way to deliver some measure of hope to the voters. No matter how conditions around the country may seem, offer the people the promise of something better and at least some of them will flock to your banner, but that wasn't the case after two back-to-back Reuters-IPSOS polls showed Kamala Harris with a slender three-point lead over Donald Trump this week. Voters hold "a dim view" of the economy" and a "glum electorate" believes America is on the "wrong track" when it comes to immigration and the economy, which they rank among their highest priorities. Something seems to be upside down here. (Reuters)

Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris held a marginal 46% to 43% lead over Republican former President Donald Trump, with a glum electorate saying the country is on the wrong track, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

Harris' lead in the six-day poll, which closed on Monday, differed little from her 45% to 42% advantage over Trump in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted a week earlier, reinforcing the view that the contest is extraordinarily tight with just two weeks left before the Nov. 5 election.

Both polls showed Harris with a lead within the margin of error, with the latest poll showing her ahead just 2 percentage points when using unrounded figures.

The new poll showed that voters have a dim view of the state of the economy and immigration - and they generally favor Trump's approach on these issues.

We should first note that the polls in this race have been all over the place on the best of days to put it charitably. There are always fluctuations in the polling, making variations in a race like this seem more pronounced.

But with that said, there is still nothing that seems to explain this. These are people who profess to be "glum" about migration and the economy. Unless they are under 21, they saw the migration situation under Trump and they saw it under "border czar Kamala Harris. They saw the economy under Trump and the 1.4% inflation rate he left for Biden. Yet offered a choice, they're choosing to go with Biden Act Two?

Are we seeing another case of inability to tolerate the Bad Orange Man at any cost? If not, the floor is open for other suggestions because this one has me stumped.