Staff Reports
In the grand circus of American politics, Kamala Harris has somehow managed to turn her vice presidential campaign into a well-crafted game of hide-and-seek. With early voting kicking off in over half the nation, the vice president opted for a three-day pitstop in battleground states, while Donald Trump commanded attention in Wisconsin before jetting off to witness the Georgia-Alabama football game. Meanwhile, Harris was busy attending a fundraiser in San Francisco. It seems cozy fundraisers beat the tough crowd in flyover country any day of the week.
There’s more than just a curious calendar at play here. Democrats have started whispering behind closed doors that Harris might actually find it advantageous to engage in some good old-fashioned town halls and unscripted encounters with voters. After all, nothing screams “authentic connection” quite like a staged chat on a podcast instead of facing the tough questions from everyday Americans.
I smell blood in the water…
Report: Democrats Fear Kamala Harris Is Wasting Time on Campaign Trailhttps://t.co/a3IPDNfDOL
— 🅿️®️🚫❌✌🏾 (@proxcee) October 7, 2024
Her ambitious schedule—or lack thereof—reveals a trend that would make even the most seasoned campaign strategist raise an eyebrow. Since the Democratic National Convention, Harris has spent a whopping third of her days shuffling through staff briefings and conducting internal meetings, far removed from the eye of the voter. Her so-called “official” business includes high-stakes meetings with foreign dignitaries, leaving many to wonder if she’s more focused on international relations than on winning hearts in swing states. While she occasionally graces rallies with her presence, nearly half of her post-DNC days have been spent in the comforting bubble of Washington.
Even David Axelrod, a veteran Democratic strategist, pointed out that at some point, Harris needs to hit the campaign trail with a bit more fervor. Voters in battleground states won’t be swayed by a Harris that’s only showing up to friendly venues or reruns of her appearances on late-night shows. A strong campaign isn’t just about appearances; it’s about connecting with the public in real, unscripted ways, something that appears to be on the back burner for the vice president.
For now, the Harris campaign seems more interested in engaging with liberal media personalities than actual constituents. While she entertains social media and gives precious airtime to platforms that are ideologically aligned with her, undecided voters watch from the sidelines. As former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina astutely notes, it’s about utilizing every minute efficiently to convince voters of her leadership capabilities. However, if attending soft interviews is the strategy, it may just end up costing the Democrats dearly come election day.
