Balancing the posture, enthusing the base: Kamala Harris’s challenge in the last lap

Democratic presidential nominee and US Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she boards Air Force Two at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 01, 2024. , Photo Credit: Getty Images

With the results set to be down to the wire, Democrat Kamala Harris’ focus in the final weeks of the presidential campaign is on convincing skeptics within her camp to get out and vote. Her key allies in this effort are former President Barack Obama and independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who have repeatedly appealed to social groups that traditionally support Democrats but are not enthusiastic about voting for Ms. Harris. More than 60 million votes – nearly a quarter of the total – have already been cast as of Thursday (October 31, 2024). Voting will end on November 5. Ms Harris and her Republican rival Donald J. Trump is urging others not to miss the vote, but hesitant supporters may be more of a concern for the former than the latter.

Ms Harris has made a bold attempt to cobble together a coalition of extremists from socialists to neoconservatives and all stripes in between, while maintaining a safe distance from unpopular President Joe Biden, and redefining her own political profile in the process. Have tried to do. ,

Supporters of many of the contrarians agree that Republican Donald Trump becoming a second president would be far worse for them all than having Ms Harris at the helm. The major issues confusing the Democratic base are the party’s, and particularly the candidate’s, attitudes toward Israel, the working class, and corporate interests. Opinion polls also suggest discontent among African Americans and Latinos – communities that Democratic strategists have traditionally taken for granted.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders in recent days addressed young voters, the working class, Israel critics and Palestinian supporters who are skeptical about Ms Harris with a specific warning – “Donald Trump and his right-wing friends are worse.”

In stump speeches, interviews, a video message and an oped, Mr. Sanders had a message to his supporters — Ms. Harris may not be the best on the question of Israel’s unbridled support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s escalating war in the Middle East. And than a vis corporation on the rights of the working class, but he’s better than Mr. Trump.

Mr Sanders counted himself among Mr Biden and Ms Harris’s critics on Israel, and promised to press for changes to US policy if they win. Mr Sanders has been openly critical of the Democratic Party for its inadequate appreciation of the struggles of the working class and its relationship with big corporations, and its unqualified support for Mr Netanyahu. Mr. Sanders was a popular candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2016, which ultimately went to Hillary Clinton, but he continues to have his finger on the pulse of those who find Mr. Trump attractive.

The Democratic establishment has largely been dismissive of Trump’s base, and this has sometimes been to the party’s detriment. This week, Mr Biden called Trump supporters “trash”. He tried to explain this later, and Ms. Harris firmly distanced herself from this sentiment. By acknowledging the grievances of his party base, Mr. Sanders is deviating from the official campaign tone of enthusiasm for winning back disaffected sections. Mr. Sanders did exactly the same thing for Mr. Biden in 2020, and the question is whether he can repeat it, especially amid the crippling war in West Asia.

According to some reports, Mr Obama has emerged as a central figure in the Harris campaign, contrary to her preferences. In his latest message, Mr. Obama once again addressed people of color. “As we enter the final moments of the campaign, President Obama reminds us that you are the most reliable messenger,” the campaign group Win With Black Men posted Thursday along with a video message from the former president. Mr Obama had publicly noted the lack of enthusiasm among African American men and linked it to Ms Harris being a woman. His public comments were met with reaction from many community leaders who found it patronizing.

With various constituents drifting away from their traditional voting positions, neither Mr. Trump nor Ms. Harris have been able to intensify the competition around their most favorable questions, immigration and abortion, respectively. Ms Harris has a group of Republicans, particularly neoconservatives, supporting her, but her influence on voters is unlikely to be significant. What may be more consequential will be his ability to keep the Democratic camp together and be active in the swing states in the final rounds.