Vice President Kamala Harris faces a challenging battle against Donald Trump, and she's running out of momentum with the election weeks away.
The Washington Examiner reported that Harris attended a rally in Arizona on October 10, 2024, emphasizing the critical nature of the battleground state in this election cycle. Arizona's shifting political landscape is seen as pivotal for Harris, who has been targeted by the Trump campaign for perceived continuity with the Biden administration.
Harris referred to herself as the "underdog" in the race against Trump, a sentiment that reflects her current standing in key battleground states.
Polls indicate a nearly tied race, feeding anxiety within the Democratic Party. Harris, in a bid to rally support, underscored the tough road ahead but affirmed her readiness to engage in the hard work necessary to win.
In her Arizona speech, Harris laid out the stakes of the upcoming election, which is now only 26 days away. Her campaign slogan, "A New Way Forward," aims to carve a distinct path from the Biden administration, although critics argue she has not done enough to distinguish her policy agenda.
Her remarks in Arizona were aimed both at rallying the Democratic base and winning over undecided voters in a state where every vote is likely to matter.
The enthusiasm gap is another concern. Former President Barack Obama has expressed overt concern about the level of voter excitement compared to during his campaigns. This sentiment has permeated the Democratic Party, with operatives worried that Harris is not generating sufficient grassroots energy.
Despite a record-breaking $1 billion fundraising effort by the Democrats, polls in critical states remain unaffected.
This gap between financial support and voter support is troubling for the party. Stacy Pearson, an Arizona-based Democratic strategist, noted a troubling decline in Democratic voter registration in the state since 2020, underscoring the challenges Harris faces in energizing her base.
Public reaction to Harris's campaign is mixed. In Prescott Valley, Dianne Hull found that people she spoke with were evenly split in their support for Harris.
Tracy Trewhella emphasized the election’s importance, pointing to issues like abortion access and women's rights, while Stacey Pies and Tahara Coleman expressed personal motivations and optimism for Harris's chances in Arizona.
Campaign strategists are also focusing on voter engagement, with some suggesting that Harris and other Democratic leaders should engage more with small groups and even opponents to broaden their appeal. Cesar Chavez, a supporter, pointed to the redundancy of rally attendees and suggested diversifying the outreach efforts to energize and expand the voter base.
Critics of Harris's campaign strategy argue she has struggled to effectively communicate how her presidency would differ from Biden's tenure.
This perceived inability has been exploited by the Trump campaign, contributing to her "underdog" status. A Democratic operative highlighted that prior missteps in distancing from problematic aspects of the Biden administration have only recently come to the forefront, complicating Harris's message.
The unpredictable nature of this election cycle adds to the tension. A former White House aide described it as "anyone’s game," pointing to a wide array of states that are now competitive. The Harris campaign is facing immense pressure to recalibrate and reassess its strategy as Election Day nears, requiring a refined approach to address these broad concerns.
With the election just around the corner, all eyes are on Arizona and other battleground states that could determine the outcome. Harris's self-identification as the underdog underscores the uphill battle she faces in securing the presidency.