With just weeks to go before the 2024 presidential election, Democrats are increasingly worried as Vice President Kamala Harris struggles to gain momentum in the polls. Despite a recent wave of high-profile media appearances aimed at connecting with voters, Harris has yet to see a significant boost in support, leaving her campaign in a precarious position as Election Day approaches.
Harris has participated in several major interviews, including candid conversations on the Call Her Daddy podcast and 60 Minutes. While her openness and ability to discuss a range of topics received praise, the media blitz has failed to deliver the expected rise in the polls. According to FiveThirtyEight, Harris holds a slim 2.6-point lead over her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.
One complicating factor for Harris’s campaign is her stance on gun ownership. She has acknowledged owning a firearm but also supports strong gun control measures like assault weapons bans and universal background checks. This nuanced position may be alienating both gun control advocates and gun rights supporters, preventing her from gaining ground with either group.
“Harris’s position on guns is unclear to many voters,” said a Democratic strategist. “She’s trying to balance two very different sides of the debate, and that’s reflected in the lack of movement in the polls.”
Adding to her challenges is Harris’s close alignment with President Joe Biden. When asked on The View if she would have done anything differently during Biden’s administration, Harris responded, “There is not a thing that comes to mind.” This response disappointed some Democrats who had hoped Harris would distance herself from Biden’s more unpopular policies, particularly on immigration and the economy.
Republicans, led by Trump, have seized on Harris’s comments. In a recent post on his social media platform, Trump criticized Harris as “incompetent” and accused her of offering no new direction for the country.
Another issue is Harris’s economic messaging. Although her campaign has highlighted improvements in employment and slowing inflation, swing-state voters still see the economy as the top issue. Polls show Trump leading Harris by 4 percentage points on economic matters.
“If I had one piece of advice: they need a much stronger, detailed economic message,” said Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis. “Talking about hopes and aspirations isn’t enough. The economy is still Trump’s core strength, and it’s why this race is so close.”
As the election draws nearer, Democrats are becoming increasingly anxious about Harris’s ability to secure a victory. Once confident that she could defeat Trump, many now fear the race could go either way.
One major Democratic donor expressed this concern: “It feels like a flip of the coin. I feel better than I did last week, but it still doesn’t feel great. There’s a lot at stake.”
With Election Day fast approaching, Harris’s ability to win over undecided voters on key issues like the economy, immigration, and gun control will be critical. Whether her recent media appearances will be enough to shift the momentum remains uncertain.
As Democrats push to strengthen her campaign in the final stretch, it’s clear that the race for the White House is far from settled
