The campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris has made a decision about having President Joe Biden join her on the campaign trail, but it’s not one that his supporters will like. Apparently, the VP isn’t keen on appearing with, or using, the current commander-in-chief, likely because she’s already being tied to him and many of his unpopular policies.
During Tuesday’s “CNN This Morning,” host Kasie Hunt cited an Axios report which revealed President Biden would like to be campaigning alongside his vice president, but that the Harris campaign was “not exactly embracing the offer.” Hunt added, “If they did want him to campaign for her, he would be campaigning for her.” Axios reporter Alex Thompson joined the CNN show as a panelist and said, “The campaign sends out a daily email of all the surrogates, including actors and actresses and members of the cabinet. They did not mention that Joe Biden was going to be in Pittsburgh on Saturday, even in that email.”
He added, “They could claim oversight, but the fact matter is, like they don’t believe that the president is helpful in this final stretch.” Thompson reported on Sunday that Harris’ team views the president as a political liability with just a week to go before Election Day. However, the journalist noted that the campaign was reluctant to communicate this sentiment directly to the president’s team.
Thompson reported earlier this month that “many senior Biden aides remain wounded by the president being pushed out of his re-election bid and are still adjusting to being in a supporting role on the campaign trail.” In a past Axios report, a Harris ally told Thompson, “They’re too much in their feelings.” During his Tuesday CNN appearance, Thompson noted further: “Now, Joe Biden, even some of the people on the Kamala Harris campaign, formally of the Joe Biden campaign, believe that actually the Kamala Harris campaign is underestimating his appeal in some of these smaller communities.” Thompson said they understand Biden is “unpopular,” but they still think the president can appeal to older, White voters in Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, a newly released HarrisX/Forbes poll shows former President Donald Trump with a newfound lead over Vice President Kamala Harris, marking a significant shift in momentum just days before voters head to the polls. The national poll indicates Trump leading Harris 51% to 49% in a head-to-head matchup among likely voters leaning toward one candidate. This data represents a substantial six-point shift from just last month when Harris had a four-point lead.
In a broader four-way race that includes third-party candidates Cornel West and Jill Stein, Trump still holds a slight edge, leading 49% to 48%. The poll also provides insights into the undecided electorate: when voters have the option to choose “don’t know” or remain unsure, Trump and Harris are tied at 47% each. The tight race continues in a two-way matchup as well, with Trump leading by just one percentage point, 49% to 48%, among likely voters.
The poll indicates that up to 12% of likely voters are still weighing their options, with 4% remaining undecided in a two-way contest. Among registered voters, the uncertainty is even higher, with 18% not fully committed. Harris’s campaign, which was once buoyed by a steady lead, is now facing a challenging reality check. Her team has scrambled to refocus their messaging and boost voter turnout, particularly among younger voters and women—two demographics crucial for Democratic success. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign is capitalizing on the moment, using the poll as evidence of growing momentum for his candidacy and working to convert leaners into solid supporters.
The HarrisX/Forbes poll is the latest in a series of surveys indicating that the 2024 race is tightening. Analysts attribute this shift to a combination of factors, including rising economic concerns, national security issues, and voter fatigue. Additionally, third-party candidates like West and Stein, although polling in single digits, may create a potential spoiler effect, particularly for Harris, as disillusioned Democrats consider alternative options.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.