Washington: Kamala Harris Shifts Campaign Strategy to Win Over Men and Republicans
Kamala Harris is shifting her campaign strategy to win over more men and Republicans, and sharpening her attacks on Donald Trump as Democratic anxieties rise over polls showing her rival making strong gains.
Frustrating Moment for a Whirlwind Campaign
The Democratic nominee is in a statistical dead heat in crucial states with Trump, the Republican former president, according to public and internal campaign polls cited by Democratic sources, sparking a round of finger-pointing and second-guessing from some corners. It is a frustrating moment for a whirlwind campaign that opened with a huge jump in enthusiasm and cash when she replaced President Joe Biden in July, put on a robust Democratic convention, and was widely hailed as the winner of her only debate with Trump.
Back to Prosecutorial Posture
After weeks of focusing on policy and trying to define herself on the national stage, Harris is going back to her prosecutorial posture of July, an adviser said, hoping to demonstrate strength to voters who might be attracted to Trump’s strongman image. At her Monday night rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, she took the rare step of showing clips of Trump’s remarks about an “enemy within” America to underscore her argument that he poses a danger to the country. This week, she sat down with Charlamagne tha God to reach Black men and followed up with a confrontational interview with Fox News to address conservatives. Popular podcaster Joe Rogan and his young, male followers could be next.
Nationally, Harris’ Edge Narrows
Nationally, Harris’ edge has narrowed from a late September lead of seven points over Trump to just three, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows. More concerning for Democrats: she and Trump are statistically tied in the seven crucial battleground states that will decide the race.
Margin of Error
Nationally, Harris has comfortably won back the suburbs and middle class voters that had slipped to Trump in the final months of Biden’s campaign, Ipsos/Reuters polling shows. But internal Harris campaign polls show her within the margin of error in each of the seven battleground states that will help determine the winner, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. In the latest batch, she is tied in Pennsylvania, up slightly in Wisconsin, and down in Michigan, one source said.
Weaknesses
Support from men of all races – where Harris’ numbers lag Biden’s – is a major weakness. The campaign’s strategy of aiming toward the center and its failure to fully engage with local Democrats is another, some Democrats say. Voter outreach in Michigan has been subpar, said Byron Nolen, mayor of Inkster, a Detroit suburb, and president of the local Democratic club. He said he had to ask the campaign for yard signs and other basic supplies for local voters.
Conclusion
As the election approaches, Harris faces an uphill battle to win over critical voters. However, with a robust ground game and a continued focus on policy, she may still have a chance to turn the tide in her favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Kamala Harris’ current strategy?
A: Harris is shifting her campaign strategy to win over more men and Republicans, and sharpening her attacks on Donald Trump.
Q: How is the race currently trending?
A: The race is extremely close, with Trump and Harris statistically tied in the seven crucial battleground states.
Q: What are some of the weaknesses in Harris’ campaign?
A: Support from men of all races, a failure to fully engage with local Democrats, and subpar voter outreach in certain states are some of the concerns.