Vice President Kamala Harris is leveraging strong polling and robust fundraising to position herself favorably in the Democratic presidential race. Following a high-energy convention in Chicago, Harris finds herself in a more promising position than President Joe Biden did before his exit from the race. As reported by Newsweek on August 28, 2024, the upcoming months will see both Harris and former President Donald Trump intensifying their efforts to sway undecided voters in key swing states.
Despite her campaign’s current momentum, Harris is notably cautious with media engagements. Unlike Hillary Clinton’s approach during the 2016 election, Harris is steering clear of in-depth interviews with challenging journalists. This strategy appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid the pitfalls that plagued Clinton’s campaign.
In September 2016, Clinton’s remark about “half” of Trump supporters being in a “basket of deplorables” became a significant controversy. This comment, made during a fundraiser, was seen as an insult to many voters and contributed to Clinton’s defeat. Harris seems intent on avoiding a similar gaffe by focusing her criticisms on Trump and his team rather than his supporters.
Democratic strategist Matt Bennett commented on the importance of Harris’s approach, noting that Clinton’s remark underscored a central issue for Democrats: the perception that they look down on Trump supporters. Harris has thus far kept her attacks directed at Trump and his associates, aiming to demonstrate respect for Trump voters and inclusivity within the Democratic coalition.
The convention showcased Harris’s strategy to appeal to independent and moderate Republican voters. She emphasized key Democratic issues like abortion and healthcare while adopting a more moderate stance on immigration and national security. Additionally, her record as a prosecutor was highlighted to counter claims of being “soft on crime.” The inclusion of anti-Trump Republicans like former Representative Adam Kinzinger further broadened her appeal.
Political science professor Costas Panagopoulos highlighted the need for careful communication in today’s digital age. Harris must carefully manage her public statements to avoid alienating voters while energizing her base. Panagopoulos emphasized the importance of preparation and awareness on the campaign trail to avoid comments that could be used against her.
Tatishe Nteta, director of the UMass Poll, acknowledged that while Clinton’s “deplorables” comment was not the sole factor in her loss, it reflected broader voter concerns about the campaign’s outreach to independents. Nteta believes Harris has learned from these past mistakes, focusing on presenting a future-oriented vision and framing Trump’s policies as contrary to public values.
Hofstra University’s Meena Bose also noted the significance of Clinton’s comment in the 2016 race. She praised Harris’s strategy of staying on message, which was evident in her convention speech. Grassroots Midwest CEO Adrian Hemond described Clinton’s comment as a major blunder and advised Harris to concentrate on presenting a compelling alternative to both Trump and the Democratic Party.
By avoiding unscripted interviews and maintaining a disciplined campaign message, Harris aims to build a broad coalition to secure victory in the upcoming election, all while steering clear of potential pitfalls that could jeopardize her campaign.
