Staff Reports
As the clock ticks down to an important election, Kamala Harris appears to be taking a rather star-studded turn in her campaign strategy. With just 15 days left, her momentum seems to be faltering, prompting her to reach out to some of Hollywood’s biggest names for a boost. This past weekend, she surrounded herself with many celebrities, including Lizzo and Usher. It’s like a red carpet rolled out for a candidate struggling to find her footing, but does star power resonate with voters?
One would think that a Democratic campaign could rely on the support of Joe Biden, the current president. Yet it seems that the Harris campaign is veering away from the Bidens in these final weeks, choosing instead to align with high-profile figures from Hollywood. However, many suspect voters aren’t as easily swayed by celebrity endorsements. It’s almost as if voters want to know who Kamala Harris is beyond the glitz and glam—what exactly does she stand for, and can she connect with the common American?
In a recent appearance with Al Sharpton, Harris expressed her intent to earn votes from all demographics. This was an interesting choice, considering her past approaches have sometimes leaned on identitarian rhetoric. Rather than delivering scripted messages at rallies, some say she should be out engaging directly with the public. Critics argue that her speeches can often feel like a jumble of clichés instead of the heartfelt discourse expected from a potential leader. Ultimately, voters want authenticity, and scripted speeches don’t always convey that.
A peculiar comment came from Lizzo during the celebrity-packed weekend. She suggested that they could “make America like Detroit.” Considering Detroit’s various challenges, from job shortages to a high crime rate, this is an eyebrow-raising statement. It’s almost as if the approach taken by celebrities, rather than helping, highlights just how out of touch some in the Democratic camp appear to be with everyday American struggles. Voters are likely more interested in solutions for what they see as real issues rather than ideas that read more like a Hollywood script than concrete political plans.
The narrative that Kamala Harris will somehow break the glass ceiling for women or minorities appears to clash with the realities facing her campaign. Critics have pointed out her tendency to play identity politics, yet she claims she wants to earn every vote on merit in her campaign. It leaves many asking, if she is truly trying to connect with voters personally, why not focus on policies that aim to improve their lives? Political pundits argue that the Biden administration has not been particularly effective in this regard, so it would seem wise for Harris to carve her path by offering a fresh perspective that speaks directly to the needs and wants of the American populace.
As Election Day draws nearer, whether Harris’s reliance on celebrity endorsements will pay off or backfire remains to be seen. With candidates often seen as more consumed with spectacle than substance, many voters might simply long for authenticity and clarity. The challenge for Harris and her campaign is to show that they are not just a series of high-profile events but a movement committed to addressing real issues affecting Americans every day.
