In what seems to be a complete shift, Democrats find themselves in a different landscape. However, the significance of this reorientation appears to be lost on many as their congregations are being defined by eclectic dancing sessions and appropriated music from pop culture icons like Beyoncé. A burst of public appearances by celebrities, including Southern rappers and Hollywood actors — often seen as a desperate cry for relevance — could be noticed.
Delivering remarks from an embellished vice-presidential lectern, Kamala Harris boldly asserted that the tide of the political race was turning, backed by the narrative that Donald Trump was allegedly feeling the heat. However, her claim seems more akin to a pep talk than a statement grounded in verifiable indicators.
With Harris’ controversial rise to the apex of the Democratic ticket, one could argue that a fundamentally different political contest has emerged, sending a surprising jolt through the dormant Democratic Party. However, this jolt seems to be more of an emergency response: Democrats have been struggling to motivate their base to rally around Joe Biden for more than a year.
In front of them now stands a significant challenge: seeing whether Kamala Harris can harness the potential energy of disgruntled liberals and build a steady momentum. According to some polls, core voters of the party have rallied behind Harris. Yet the equilibrium of the race remains undisturbed, mirroring the deeply divided society. Harris now undertakes the mission of reconstructing the choreography that once led Democrats, and the uneasy Biden-Harris alliance, to a victory in 2020.
Her campaign lingers in a nascent, undefined phase. Harris inherited a massive team of 1300 individuals pulled from Biden’s reelection campaign and a bank balance of $96 million. Yet, plans to restructure remain uncertain. Bewilderingly, she remains rather close-lipped about her unique vision for the party and the country.
Furthermore, Harris is yet to step into the limelight of media scrutiny, leaving her supporters and critics guessing. The unveiling of her running mate is also pending, although her camp has suggested an upcoming announcement. Adding to this, they revealed a tour of seven battleground states, scheduled to kick-off in Philadelphia.
Harris dives into the frenzied tide of an unsettled and fluctuating political scenario. It has been aeons since any two candidates wrestled in a race as compressed and hurried as this one, a stark deviation from the year-long marathons generally leading to the White House.
Given the increasing unpredictability and the rushed timeline, the endurance of Harris’ transient support remains a question. It carries the potential of being stretched thin through the election or and could just as likely dissipate.
Coming to the reactions from the Democratic camp, many seem excited by the spectacle. Her rally in Atlanta, attended by thousands, was bigger than Biden’s low-key campaign events. However, the sharp deviation in tone from that of the incumbent president was noticeable.
Biden’s 2020 campaign had focused on restoring the ‘soul of the nation,’ a nostalgic return to tranquillity preceding Trump’s era. Harris, on the other hand, is sparking a narrative around future possibilities, quite detached from Biden’s idealistic nostalgia-based rhetoric.
On the surface, Harris echoes promises similar to President Trump, vowing to reduce housing and prescription drug costs. She doubles down on protecting ‘hard-earned freedoms,’ including voting rights, and advocates for broadened access to abortion. Yet, many question if the words fit the frame of the campaign narrative she is setting.
As Harris attempts to steer her campaign with a much fresher feel, her cheerleaders have been busy criticizing Trump for resorting to the same strategies deployed against Biden. They seem to revel in the narrative that Harris is mocking Trump for backing out on a debate commitment from the time Biden was running.
Meanwhile, Republicans face the task of modifying their strategies according to the evolving times. They have cycled through various criticisms of Harris before reconciling with a strategy much like the one employed against Biden over the last year.
Arguably, Democrats may be under the illusion of consistent support. The reality could be that Harris is enjoying a temporary ‘honeymoon phase,’ as described by Tony Fabrizio, a campaign pollster. This temporary phase leaves the longevity of Harris’ support in question, raising concerns about the wider direction and future of the Democratic party.
Harris Struggles to Anchor Swaying Democratic Ship appeared first on Real News Now.
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