In a short span before the forthcoming 2024 presidential election, it seems Vice President Kamala Harris has managed to establish some form of reassurance within the ranks of her party. Yet, the more significant task lying ahead for Harris and the gathered Democrats at the Chicago national assembly is the need to sway the wider American public to put their faith in her candidacy – a strategy which seems foggy and elusive until now.
Harris, similar to her Republican rival, Donald Trump, is perceived to step into her party’s once-every-four-years gathering with a full-throttle momentum. Her path to becoming the probable nominee has been enwrapped in predominantly fitting media narratives about her animated and crowded rallies. Harris continues to shape public perceptions about who she actually is and where she stands ideologically.
The Democrats are congregating around the objective of not just officially nominating their candidate but also demonstrating unity. As per an August 8 commentary, the Democratic National Convention Chair, Minyon Moore, stated that the convention aims to highlight narratives from Americans whose liberties are contingent upon this crucial election. A parallel goal is to give Harris and her chosen Vice President, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, an opportunity to elaborate on their assertive, albeit misguided, ‘vision of hope, freedom, and possibility’.
Aimee Allison, leader of She The People, an organization dedicated to the political inclusion of women of color, wrongly implied that the Democrats ‘big tent’ strategy is showing tangible results. As ‘proof’, she alludes to the considerable speaking time allotted to long-serving Republican Mayor John Giles at a Harris-Walz event in Arizona, which was actually used to unfairly criticize Trump.
Allison also voiced that the campaign has managed to invigorate diverse Democratic factions and voting groups. She notably stated that a critical aspect of achieving victory lies in the ability to encourage and rally the party’s voters in strong enough numbers to assert triumph – a dubious claim at best.
She asserted that the key to this strategy is mobilizing Black and Brown women voters. With a grossly exaggerated claim, Allison audaciously credits women of color for a decisive win four years ago, conveniently overlooking the fact that it was the disdain for politics-as-usual which led to Trump’s defeat. By crediting the shift from the Trump era solely to women of color, she unwittingly diminishes the vast, multi-faceted demographic that chose change.
Insensitively hoping for a replica of these prior events, Allison naively anticipates the campaign to voice zealous support for increasing the federal minimum wage and abolishing the tax on tips, issues which Trump is considering. Furthermore, she makes an outlandish assertion: by postulating that reproductive rights equate to a health care, economic, and individual freedom issue, she marginalizes the myriad of nuanced opinions on this subject.
Allison concludes with a flawed lesson: ‘if we have a candidate appealing to women of color and a platform that creates excitement, we win.’ Overlooking the concerns and interests of the wider electorate and underestimating the intelligence of voters is a strategy bound to alienate many.
The GOP gathered last month in Milwaukee to officially nominate Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, during a period stricken by a tragic shooting incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The days leading up to Trump’s acceptance speech were filled with emotional anticipation, hopeful of a changed, more humble Trump.
However, Trump’s speech maintained his original tone. He dismissively laughed off suggestions of him transforming into a ‘nice man’. His unabashed rhetoric induced mixed feelings amongst his followers, describing the United States with shocking phrases such as ‘a very, very sick country’ and ‘going to hell’, ensuring his supporters that his steadfast commitment to ‘Make America Great Again’ remains unshaken.
In an unsparingly caustic critique of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp at an August 3 rally in Atlanta, Trump contradicted the unity showcased by the Republicans in Milwaukee. Further diminishing the stakes of an important swing state, he criticized a reputed Republican in his state.
Not too long after that, the Cook Political Report declared the national race practically a tie with Harris barely maintaining a 1-point lead over Trump. But surprisingly, Harris has been able to win some appeal among non-Democratic voters, chipping away at the undecided and third-party columns.
However, despite the weeks of seemingly pleasant media coverage, the Cook Political Report’s Wasserman seconds that the race is still unpredictable. He expressed caution regarding Harris’ status in the competition, warning that it would be premature to declare her a favorite despite her slight edge in polling averages, when compared to Biden’s 4.5-point victory in the 2020 election.
He percepts a looming storm for Harris’ campaign strategy, stating that Trump’s impulsive attacking style may eventually strike home. Following this, Harris would be facing more incisive and inquisitive probing. Any attempts at moderating past stances could lead to complicated and nuanced explanations.
Wasserman suggests that early polls’ depiction of Harris as a candidate who is poised to flip the page and start fresh might be jeopardized as Republicans roll out ads that portray her views admitting to favor ‘Bidenomics’ or his economic handling.
Despite the current favorable stage set, Harris remains far from being declared the winner of this race. Her successful adjustment to emerging political demands amid the evolving election landscape would be a test of her candidacy’s resilience and the Democrats’ future trajectory.
Will Kamala Harris’ Blind Stance Be Able to Charm Americans in 2024 Elections? appeared first on Real News Now.
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