Kamala Harris Heads to DNC in Chicago with Momentum and Big Opportunity

WASHINGTON — Riding a surge of enthusiasm following her candidacy announcement, Vice President Kamala Harris is headed to Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention. This presents her with a chance to reintroduce herself to uncertain voters and put Donald Trump on the defensive as the election approaches in less than three months.

Unlike many recent major party nominees, Harris remains largely unknown to many voters. She accepted the Democratic nomination without securing any primary votes or enduring a protracted campaign.

As she strives to define her identity and message, Harris is expected to share her personal story — one of a daughter of immigrants who worked at McDonald’s during her college years. Meanwhile, Republicans are likely to label her as excessively liberal and inexperienced.

The convention’s timing, scheduled for just a week after the Olympics conclude, offers an advantageous setting for Harris. It allows her to channel the excitement she has generated among Democratic voters into a powerful showcase before prime-time audiences.

To maintain her momentum, Harris must deliver a message that appeals to a broader electorate — a challenge that Trump struggled with during the Republican National Convention. “She’s got to tell people what they’re voting for. Elections are about the future, and she needs to say, ‘This is how I’m going to make your lives better,'” comments Todd Belt, a political management program director at George Washington University.

Since the launch of her campaign shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out on July 21, Harris has made swift gains. In a matter of weeks, she has neutralized Trump’s polling leads in battleground states, drawn large crowds to her rallies, and attracted significant campaign donations.

Harris has flipped the dynamics of the race, leading some Republicans to advise Trump to change his campaign strategy, including refraining from personal attacks on Harris and focusing on key issues like the economy and immigration instead.

Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, now face the crucial task of demonstrating that their early success can sustain itself until Election Day. They must keep the support of undecided voters as Trump intensifies his campaign to portray Harris as “dangerously liberal.” While her recent polling surge raises questions about whether she will enjoy a major post-convention bounce, strategists agree that she has much to gain.

“She has already experienced the ‘convention bounce’ without the convention, and her goal at this point is to solidify those new voters,” says veteran Republican pollster Frank Luntz, highlighting the need for a unifying message. He draws parallels to Barack Obama’s famous 2004 keynote address, cautioning that Harris should avoid catering exclusively to the Democratic base.

Harris’s speeches and campaign ads have hinted at how she plans to connect with voters during the convention. Her team paints the 59-year-old Harris as a “fearless” advocate for everyday Americans — one who has fought for justice as a prosecutor in San Francisco, taken on big banks as California’s attorney general, and challenged large pharmaceutical companies during her tenure as vice president.

As the convention unfolds, Harris will face significant challenges, including anticipated protests regarding the Biden administration’s policies on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Moreover, she has not yet engaged in any televised interviews or held a press conference since officially becoming the Democratic nominee.

Harris has built her narrative around a forward-looking vision that counters Trump’s “Make America Great Again” platform, emphasizing a message of hope and optimism. Recently, she outlined a populist economic agenda, proposing measures such as a ban on price-gouging in the grocery industry, tax incentives for first-time home buyers, and a tax credit for working-class families with newborns.

Despite her rising profile, gaps remain in her agenda, suggesting she has significant work ahead. As the convention approaches, polling reflects a more favorable landscape for Harris than it did when Biden held the top spot. Trump’s earlier advantages in various battleground states have diminished, with surveys indicating Harris leading in key areas and making inroads among independent voters.

Harris has also managed to consolidate support among the Democratic base. A recent survey found a notable increase in voters who supported Biden in 2020 now saying they would also back Harris.

While she appears to have gained traction, there are still vulnerabilities for Harris. Polling reveals that a substantial portion of voters view her as too liberal or inexperienced, concerns that Trump is likely to emphasize in his campaign.

Trump, seeking to regain the narrative on the economy, has recently highlighted rising prices and inflation. He has questioned voters’ familiarity with Harris, suggesting they consider the implications of a potential Harris presidency.

As the convention approaches, Harris faces the task of simultaneously honoring Biden’s legacy and establishing her own distinct agenda amidst ongoing discontent over economic issues. Acknowledging their partnership, Biden has publicly endorsed Harris and highlighted their collaborative achievements, but the challenge remains for her to carve out her unique identity as the election heats up.

Source: USA Today