According to recent opinion polls, Vice President Kamala Harris has made great progress in her presidential campaign and is currently trailing former President Donald Trump. After President Joe Biden announced that he would not run for reelection, Harris, 59, has become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president. Her ascent has changed the dynamics of the approaching election on November 5.
Harris’ Campaign Focus
Speaking to the American Federation of Teachers in Houston, Harris focused on workers’ rights and economic policies, arguing for accessible childcare and healthcare and denouncing Republican resistance to gun control legislation. She stood before a gathering of 3,500 people and said, “Ours is a fight for the future,” calling for fundamental liberties.
Following similar meetings with Black women, Black men, and Latinas, almost 100,000 primarily white women joined a Zoom call to support her campaign, demonstrating the impact of her message beyond the physical audience.
Polls Indicate a Tight Race
A series of polls since Biden’s withdrawal show Harris and Trump in a tight race. A New York Times/Siena College national poll indicates Harris closing in on Trump, with Trump leading 48% to 46% among registered voters. This is a significant shift from early July, when Trump led Biden 49% to 41% after a poorly received debate performance by Biden.
Battleground States
Harris has also made gains in critical battleground states. An Emerson College/The Hill poll shows her narrowing the gap with Trump in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Although Trump maintains a slight lead in most of these states, Wisconsin is currently tied.
Trump’s Response
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Harris, labeling her a “Marxist” and accusing her of being part of the “radical left.” His campaign has also questioned the logistics of a planned September 10 debate, contingent on the Democrats’ formal nomination of Harris, expected in early August.
Support for Harris
More than forty former US Justice Department officials, who see Trump as a danger to the rule of law, have endorsed Harris. Barack Obama, the former president, is anticipated to support her shortly as well. With the release of her debut video ad, which used Beyonce’s song “Freedom,” Harris’ campaign amassed over 500,000 TikTok followers very fast.
The Next Steps
The next major development in Harris’ campaign will be her choice of a vice-presidential candidate, with potential picks including US Senator Mark Kelly, Governors Josh Shapiro, Roy Cooper, Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Trump’s Recent Challenges
Trump’s recent actions, such as his recuperation from an attempted assassination that left him with an ear injury, have been eclipsed by Harris’s rise to prominence. Though some believe it was shrapnel, Trump maintains he was wounded by a bullet, and the FBI is still looking into the incident.
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