In learning to love Harris' liberal politics, has the US moved left?

Not really, say observers, as the American electorate as a whole is much more moderate

- Si Bhagyashree Garekar

Bhagyashree Garekar US Bureau Chief WASHINGTON - More Americans identify as conservative (37 per cent) than liberal (24 per cent).

Moderates who shy away from both labels stand at about 35 per cent.

But when it comes to the policies they like, the labels do not appear to matter.

An Aug 24 to 28 poll of 1,500 registered voters by The Wall Street Journal showed that three in four Trump voters like Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris' plan to cap insulin prices at US$35 (S$46). As many as half approve of her proposal to give new parents a larger tax break.

On the other end, an overwhelming 80 per cent of Harris voters give a thumbs-up to Donald Trump's proposal to end taxes on Social Security benefits.

Less than two months from the Nov 5 presidential election, when the cost of living is a key issue, plans for financial help from the government are popular in a country that has been traditionally regarded as centre-right.

It is a trend that has not escaped Mr Scott Klug, a former congressman from Wisconsin who produces a popular podcast series, Lost In The Middle: America's Political Orphans, dedicated to promoting the voice of the millions of "centrist" voters.

"Most Americans, even Trumpsters at this point, are more in favour of more government action and more government intervention in the economy than I think is traditionally true," he said in an interview.

"I'm sort of an old-school libertarian, a Reagan Republican.

I don't want the government involved in my life or my business or my bedroom. But if you poll people on issues, they don't mind.

It's very contrary to traditional Republican politics. I think the public is changing," he said.

Dr Justin Vaughn, an associate professor of political science at Coastal Carolina University, said most Americans are moderates.