D-10, Harris Trump clash in Texas...a 48% national approval rating

[Anchor]
With the U.S. presidential election just 10 days away in our time, Vice President Harris and former President Trump have highlighted abortion rights and illegal immigration in Texas, a traditional Republican strong region.

The New York Times' last poll before the presidential election also showed that the two candidates' national approval ratings were tied, and they are still in a very close race.

I'm correspondent Hong Sang-hee from Washington.

[Reporter]
Ten days before the U.S. presidential election, the two candidates visited Texas at the same time.

It is home to 40 electors, the second-highest total after California, but it is called the Red State, a traditional Republican strong district.

First, former President Trump, who visited Austin, Texas, took the podium with his mother, who lost her daughter to an illegal immigrant criminal group, and criticized Vice President Harris.

The incompetence of the Biden Harris administration has led to a flimsy border and a surge in illegal immigrants, putting the Texas area at risk of crime.

[Donald Trump / Former U.S. President] Kamala Harris: What she did at the border is cruel. Importing gangs into our country is vile, heartless and an anti-human crime. I'm going to stop this nightmare. November 5, 2024, will be the day to liberate the United States.]

In Houston, Texas, which is no better than an enemy, it's the female voters that Vice President Harris wants to appeal to.

In Texas, where abortion has been strictly prohibited since six weeks of pregnancy since the Supreme Court struck down a "Roe v. Wade" ruling that granted abortion rights, Vice President Harris highlights women's right to give birth.

Texas pop star Beyoncé and country singer Willie Nelson also join the support group.

[CAMALA HARRIS / VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES] Many of Texas' elected leaders have "ground zero" in the fundamental fight for women's freedom to make decisions about their bodies. We will not give up the fight for freedom.]

The presidential election is about 10 days away, but the results of the poll are still very close.

The New York Times' last survey with Siena University before the presidential election showed that Harris and former President Trump had the same national approval rating of 48%, narrowing the gap from earlier this month, when Harris led by 3 percentage points.

During the 2016 presidential election, Democratic candidate Hillary was ahead in the total number of votes, but failed to win the election because she failed to secure electors in competing states.

The New York Times said the current state of affairs, with even a national approval rating tied, is not encouraging for Vice President Harris.

I'm Hong Sang-hee from Washington.