The Democrats are terrified about what would happen if Trump won back the White House. And even though they are acting confident, their plan is falling apart.
And new Harris campaign developments expose how worried the Democrats are.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign is in full defensive mode as former President Donald Trump gains surprising traction in traditionally blue states. Despite the Democratic National Convention’s efforts to rally support around Harris, her campaign has failed to achieve the expected post-convention bump, a critical boost that most modern campaigns rely on to build momentum.
As a result, Harris and her top surrogates—Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and husband Doug Emhoff—are being dispatched to blue states in a desperate attempt to shore up support as Trump’s momentum shows no signs of slowing.
Between today and Wednesday, the three Harris-Walz principals (Kamala, Tim, Doug) will be doing events in NH, MN & VA, the 3 Blue states Trump seemed to have put in play right before Biden got out. (No NM or NJ….yet). Coincidence? https://t.co/IqCyPlbByf
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) September 2, 2024
In a typical election cycle, a candidate’s visit to blue states would be viewed as a routine part of the campaign trail. However, the timing and nature of Harris’s upcoming visits are anything but ordinary.
With just two months left before Election Day, every move the campaign makes is under intense scrutiny, and the decision to prioritize blue states over critical swing states speaks volumes about the campaign’s current state of panic.
On Wednesday, Harris is scheduled to visit New Hampshire, a state where she previously enjoyed a modest four-point advantage, according to an Emerson College/WHDH survey conducted before the convention. This narrow lead is a clear indication that the state is far from securely in her column.
Meanwhile, Governor Walz is returning to his home state of Minnesota, where Trump has astonishingly closed the gap from ten points to just five since Walz was added to the ticket, as shown by two KTSP/SurveyUSA polls. And in Virginia, a state that has leaned blue in recent cycles, Emhoff will cross the Potomac River for a fundraising event, another sign of the campaign’s growing concern over Trump’s unexpected strength in the 2024 cycle.
The urgency with which these visits have been scheduled cannot be overstated. While occasional detours from swing state visits are not uncommon during a long campaign season, the focus on blue states at this stage in the race is a clear indication that the Harris campaign is not just playing defense—it is in full-blown crisis mode.
The decision to prioritize blue states comes on the heels of what can only be described as a disastrous week for the Harris campaign. The campaign’s ill-advised attack on 13 Gold Star families—a move that was met with widespread condemnation and backlash—has only exacerbated the campaign’s already precarious position.
The backlash was so severe that it has left many questioning the competence and judgment of Harris’s campaign team.
Moreover, the multi-day joint campaign tour through Georgia with Governor Walz left political pundits scratching their heads. Georgia, a critical swing state, is undoubtedly important, but the timing of the tour, coming just before the campaign’s sudden pivot to blue states, suggests a level of disarray and confusion within the campaign’s strategy.
Perhaps the most telling sign of the campaign’s struggles is the decision to bring President Joe Biden onto the campaign trail. With Biden’s approval ratings languishing and his administration’s failures still fresh in the minds of many Americans, the move to reintroduce Biden into the spotlight is a risky gamble that could further alienate voters who are already skeptical of Harris’s ability to lead.
The Harris campaign’s inability to generate a post-convention bump is particularly alarming. Historically, the Democratic National Convention has served as a launching pad for the party’s nominee, providing a significant boost in polling and energizing the base.
Yet, an ABC News/Ipsos poll released on Sunday revealed that Harris received “no overall bounce in support” after formally accepting her party’s nomination. This lack of momentum is a damning indictment of the campaign’s failure to connect with voters and build enthusiasm around Harris’s candidacy.
The absence of a post-convention bump is even more concerning when considering the broader political landscape. With Trump gaining ground in blue states, the Harris campaign’s inability to capitalize on the convention suggests a deeper problem: a lack of clear messaging and a failure to inspire confidence in voters. Instead of rallying the base and expanding her support, Harris appears to be struggling to maintain her existing coalition.
Meanwhile, Trump’s unexpected strength in blue states is a testament to his enduring appeal and the failure of the Harris campaign to effectively counter his message.
Despite relentless attacks from the media and the Democratic Party, Trump has managed to cut through the noise and resonate with voters in states that were once considered safe for the Democrats.
In Minnesota, where Harris should have been able to count on a comfortable lead, Trump’s surge has rattled the Democratic establishment. The fact that Harris’s lead has been halved since Walz joined the ticket is a clear sign that voters are not buying what the Democrats are selling.
Trump’s message of economic populism, coupled with his criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s failures, is clearly resonating with voters who are fed up with the status quo.
Even in Virginia, a state that has not voted Republican in a presidential election since 2004, Trump’s polling numbers are surprisingly strong.
The fact that Emhoff is being sent to Virginia for a fundraising event suggests that the Harris campaign is taking Trump’s challenge seriously and recognizes the need to shore up support in what should be a reliably blue state.
The Harris campaign’s current trajectory is a cause for concern among Democrats and a source of optimism for Trump supporters. The decision to prioritize blue states over swing states, coupled with the lack of a post-convention bump and the fallout from a disastrous week, paints a picture of a campaign that is floundering under pressure.
As Trump continues to gain momentum in blue states, the Harris campaign’s ability to navigate these challenges and mount a credible defense remains in doubt. With just two months left until Election Day, the clock is ticking, and Harris’s path to victory is becoming increasingly narrow.
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