Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump is sitting pretty in Nevada, and Democrats are pinning their hopes on Vice President Kamala Harris to turn the tide this November. With just 98 days left until the big day, it appears that Harris has embarked on a whirlwind campaign across the Silver State, likely in an attempt to channel her inner “come-from-behind” politician. After all, nothing screams electoral victory quite like a vice president who’s visited the state 14 times since taking office.
Harris has thrown herself into the campaign like a contestant on a reality show desperate for a rose. She famously hinted at her deep Nevada ties by claiming she is related to voters as “first cousins,” which begs the question: has she ever been to a family reunion? Democrats are bursting with pride over their “heir apparent,” with figures like Rep. Steven Horsford suggesting Harris is the secret ingredient for a successful ballot down in Nevada. While his glowing endorsements might sound impressive, they bear a striking resemblance to a slow clap at a bad magic show—enthusiastic, yet ultimately misguided.
Washington Examiner: Harris allies say history in Nevada gives her the chance to snatch state back from Trump https://t.co/GoP6TLJkMq
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 30, 2024
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, who appears to have made a lifelong friend in Harris, believes the vice president truly understands the needs of Nevada’s working families. This sentiment seems to hinge on years of backslapping and high-fives rather than any real connection to the common citizen—unless, of course, those citizens are also on the DC social calendar. The notion that Harris can sashay into the hearts of Nevadans because of her long history of platitudes is perhaps the most optimistic take the Democrats have conjured up in a while.
On the flip side, Republican skeptics like Jeremy Hughes, former Pacific regional director for the Trump campaign, are not buying the Harris hype. He points out that glowing praise is practically a formality in Democrat circles, where every candidate is heralded as the “greatest person of all time” regardless of their track record. Hughes’s analysis is that the Democrats could’ve put a cardboard cutout on stage, and Harris’s admirers would still serenade it with praise. This skepticism isn’t unfounded; after all, winning a swing state requires more than just good vibes and diversity hire credentials.
With Trump enjoying a solid lead and even gaining ground after his narrow defeat in 2020, it seems the real challenge for Harris will be to turn the trickle of enthusiasm into a flood of votes. Polls indicate Trump is leading Biden by nearly 6% in Nevada, a state that not too long ago slipped through his fingers. As he gears up for a rally in the state, the former president might just reach those voters who prefer an unapologetic leader over politicians who rely on vague promises of inclusivity.
In an election cycle still defined by age and identity, Harris may try to leverage her status as a woman of color to connect with voters. However, voters are not simply checking boxes. Trump’s momentum suggests that they want results, not political correctness and identity politics. As both sides make their pitches, it becomes clear that the real contest will be not just for hearts and minds, but for the very soul of a state critical to presidential aspirations.
