Staff Reports
The Vice President’s campaign is slipping like a greased pig at a county fair, and the media reports coming from her camp make it clear that things are less than peachy as the election draws near. Kamala Harris’ economic message seems as effective as a flat tire, failing to resonate even with her own party’s core voters—especially among black men, who seem to be skipping her like they skip the DMV. It’s a little too late for any major recovery strategies, and it appears that last-minute panic is setting in, with efforts now focusing on frantic media appearances and scrambling to get out the vote in critical areas like Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, the situation borders on the calamitous, according to a Politico piece that could double as a political horror story. The vice president’s team has managed to create a campaign environment rife with confusion and dysfunction—far from the well-oiled machine both candidates and voters wish for. Reports indicate that top operatives are clueless about their own territory, and some surrogates are reportedly feeling as welcome as a skunk at a garden party. The chaos has Democrats on high alert as they realize that they may be facing a monumental uphill battle in this critical state.
Kamala's Campaign in Damage Control Mode After Politico's Embarrassing Article Trashing PA Operation https://t.co/9oUqkxmGMh
— Carol A. Taylor (@ATayl8345) October 17, 2024
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party appears to be throwing Vice President Harris under the bus, with some party members questioning her campaign manager Nikki Lu, who they argue lacks the pulse of Philadelphia—the very city that could make or break their chances. It seems that the Harris campaign is in need of more than just a pep talk from the head honchos if they want to drive up the votes in urban areas. There’s talk of behind-the-scenes meetings with disappointed Latino and Black leaders who are demanding a stronger connection and outreach to their communities, showing that the VP’s team might be stretching themselves a little too thin.
The sentiment among local Democrats is crystal clear—any potential victory might come more from the tenacity of the grassroots efforts than victorious planning from the Harris campaign. With Harris’ campaign manager allegedly being “AWOL,” and a flavor of contempt pervading the ranks of local officials, it’s no wonder the stress levels are rising. Complaints about engaging voters of color have become a merry refrain in Pennsylvania Democratic circles, but the swirling frustration and blame seems to have taken on a life of its own.
Issues with outreach persist, as evidenced by the hasty departure of a former Latino coalition manager who left her post after just two weeks. She detailed a disorganized campaign that lacked basic tools, and her memo to state party leaders was a not-so-gentle nudge that winning Pennsylvania without Latino support is akin to trying to bake cookies with no flour. The Harris campaign’s dismissal of these concerns comes across as denial, especially when poll numbers reveal severe discrepancies with male voters. Enter Barack Obama, who had to step in and play the role of the paternal figure, essentially trying to scare black men into voting Democratic, which just goes to show how deep the vice president’s struggles run.
The lack of organization and direction that plagued Harris in 2020 is rearing its head once again, and the Democrats’ lack of a coherent strategy at this juncture in the campaign is akin to showing up to a gunfight with a butter knife. As election day looms ever nearer, the stories leaking from the Harris camp are not the ones they wanted to see, and every misstep stands as a testament to why chaos on the campaign trail is never a good sign for electoral success.
