The wheels on the bus may be falling off. In the days leading up to the election, according to a new report from Axios, many top Democrats privately express doubt about Vice President Kamala Harris’s chances on Election Day, despite polls indicating a close race. While the numbers suggest a toss-up, Democrats across the party are voicing concerns that Harris’s efforts to gain ground against former President Donald Trump aren’t resonating as expected. Democrats have spent nearly $1 billion to improve her image and diminish Trump’s, almost double what Republicans spent in recent months. Yet, many feel that little Harris does or says seems to significantly move the needle.
They must have finally seen her talk.
Last night’s CNN townhall confirmed everything I suspected about Kamala Harris even when I was a Democrat:
She’s an unimpressive politician promoted by the media to be adored, and she is extremely uncomfortable facing the mildest pushback or requiring her to go off-script.🧵 pic.twitter.com/ooEVUu8Oa5
— Adam B. Coleman, Le Based Black (@wrong_speak) October 24, 2024
Adding to the challenge, top Democrats are starting to place blame even before Election Day. Some say President Biden’s cautious approach has hindered her progress, while others critique Harris for failing to define herself clearly to the public. “She is who she is,” commented one insider. “Let’s hope it’s enough.” This lack of clear positioning has many Democrats worried, with concerns that she’s making too many disparate cases against Trump without a unifying message about herself.
CNN commentator Van Jones highlighted what he views as a double standard: while Harris faces enormous pressure to be flawless, Trump seems to face fewer expectations for consistency. However, after her most recent town hall, Jones also said the vice president’s “word salad stuff gets on his nerves.”
“Word Salad Stuff Gets on My Nerves”: Van Jones Reacts to Kamala Harris Town Hall pic.twitter.com/mk2qWAHYO3
— DC Shorts (@theDCshorts) October 25, 2024
Harris has taken multiple days off from campaigning over the past month.
Harris v. Trump campaigning since September 1, per NYT. pic.twitter.com/n97zCN1Cex
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) October 25, 2024
Trump’s campaign has capitalized on a more targeted approach. His ads focus on select issues, such as Harris’s stance on transgender rights and her past statements aligning with Biden’s policies. Republicans have even spent over $30 million on an ad simply playing video of Kamala Harris saying she’d pay for surgeries for transgender inmate. The buy also included Spanish-language ads aimed at key voter groups. This focused strategy contrasts sharply with Harris’s broader, multifaceted approach and has left some Democrats feeling frustrated and concerned.
Though the race is a statistical tie, private conversations among Democrats suggest an underlying worry that Harris’s campaign lacks a sharp, relatable narrative. Earlier in the week, the vice president decided to close her campaign by calling Donald Trump “Hitler” instead of talking about the issues that matter to voters.
