As Vice President Kamala Harris continues to struggle in the polls, her allies are increasingly vocal about their concerns regarding her dwindling chances of victory. The Hill reports that Harris’s aides, allies, and insiders are becoming more open about the belief that the Democrat’s campaign has veered off course in the final weeks before the election. Those close to the vice president point to tight battleground polls in states like Nevada and Michigan—traditionally considered reliable blue states for a progressive female candidate of color—that are now anything but certain.
Even slim leads in the polls are viewed with skepticism, as some highlight the margins of error that suggest many of the seven swing states in play could shift in either direction and most know that in 2016 and 2020, polls dramatically undercounted Trump’s support. Cracks are beginning to show in the once-formidable “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, impacting not only Harris’s campaign. This week, the Cook Political Report shifted both U.S. Senate races from “Lean Democrat” to “Tossup,” indicating that former President Donald Trump’s influence is extending far enough to assist some down-ballot Senate candidates who have consistently trailed him in nearly every contested state.
In Michigan, which has the nation’s largest concentration of Arab-Americans, widespread dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel has led to calls for a boycott of the election. This situation has compelled Harris to dedicate more time to campaigning in Detroit alongside star artists like Lizzo and Eminem. Taken collectively, insiders say, and this will come down to a nail-biter of a race. “Everyone keeps saying, ‘It’s close.’ Yes, it’s close, but are things trending our way? No. And no one wants to openly admit that,” one Democratic strategist said. “Could we still win? Maybe. Should anyone be even slightly optimistic right now? No.” Another added that the vibe shifts this year are giving Democrats a bad trip. “If this is a vibe election, the current vibes ain’t great,” they told The Hill.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that Harris’s inner circle is contemplating a scenario in which she loses Wisconsin and Michigan—states that have been trending toward Trump—but secures a crucial win in Pennsylvania. Even that scenario would leave her two Electoral College votes short of the 270 needed to win. To make up the difference, she would need to win in North Carolina or Nevada, both of which are uncertain. Nevada, which hasn’t supported a Republican presidential candidate in 20 years, is now witnessing a surge in Republican early voting, indicating a potentially favorable election night for President Trump.
Former CNN and current NewsNation host Chris Cuomo targeted supporters of Harris on Tuesday, accusing them of trying to silence criticism of her in order to enhance her chances against former President Donald Trump in November. Since Harris launched her presidential campaign on July 21, following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of her, her approval rating has increased by over 7% to 45.7%, according to the FiveThirtyEight polling average.
On “The Chris Cuomo Project,” Cuomo argued that it is misleading to portray Harris as an exceptional candidate, given her flaws and past unpopularity, and he expressed his disagreement with shielding her from criticism simply because she is running against Trump. “Kamala Harris is not a godsend, alright? You people didn’t even like her six months ago. Now, all of a sudden, she’s black female Jesus, the way [former President Barack] Obama was black Jesus. And let me tell you something: he had a lot more going for him than Kamala Harris does,” Cuomo said. “And not just as firsts go, but his type of campaigning, his type of persuasion, his charisma, okay? He was imbued with things that she is not, and I don’t mean that as a criticism. It’s just a point of comparison.”
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