Republicans Claim Harris is in ‘Honeymoon’ Phase, Yet Her Support Grows

Republicans are expressing skepticism about Kamala Harris’s early campaign momentum, labeling it merely a “honeymoon” phase. However, as of now, there is no clear indication that her support is waning.

While GOP attacks have fixated on her running mate, Tim Walz’s military record and governorship in Minnesota, these criticisms have not appeared to resonate with voters. Harris is entering August with a significant $36 million in campaign funds after the successful announcement of Walz as her vice-presidential pick last week. Furthermore, polls indicate that enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket is growing among both Democrats and independents, particularly following Joe Biden’s departure from the race.

Republicans are sidelining Harris’s recent rise, attributing it to a temporary spike in support. Nevertheless, they have failed to slow her momentum. Later this month, Harris and Walz are set to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention, an event that typically generates a boost in popularity for candidates. It is possible that Harris could maintain her momentum well into the latter part of the month.

In light of recent remarks from Donald Trump, who has made headlines with a series of disjointed press conferences, his party is now trying to frame Harris as evasive towards the press. Though the vice president has made clear she intends to conduct a full interview by the end of the month, she has also been responsive to reporters’ questions when arriving and leaving events.

Some GOP members are doubling down on this narrative. Senator Markwayne Mullin recently criticized Harris’s media engagement, stating that she has avoided interviews and is not adequately addressing her record. “All this is a little bit of a honeymoon phase with Harris. She still hasn’t taken any questions from media. You have to answer those questions at some point,” he said during a recent interview.

Trump has also joined the fray, asserting on social media that Harris’s “honeymoon” phase is fading. He claimed her policy proposals are mere political posturing, referencing a plan she announced that parallels his own tax initiative. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY—It won’t happen. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Despite GOP assertions, polls reflect a shift in dynamics since Harris ascended to lead the Democratic ticket. Trump’s campaign pollster, Tony Fabrizio, advised that while things might worsen before they improve, the fundamental race dynamics remain unchanged. According to Fabrizio, voters may soon hold Harris accountable not only for her actions but also for Biden’s policies in relation to crime—and this could lead to a decline in her popularity. However, he indicated such a decline may take a few weeks to materialize.

Currently, there are no evident signs of a downturn. Just weeks ago, Democrats were reportedly worried about their chances in the upcoming elections, dreading potential losses at both the presidential and congressional levels. This sense of dread has notably diminished in the political atmosphere as Harris gears up for the Democratic convention.

Now, with newfound competitiveness, Harris’s campaign appears to be appealing to voters in key swing states. Places including Nevada, Arizona, and traditionally red states like Florida and North Carolina are experiencing a surge in enthusiasm for Democratic candidates.

Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, commented on this excitement in late July, stating, “It’s hard to even describe the excitement, the energy, momentum, and what we’ve solved over the last week.”

A recent Democrat-aligned poll in North Carolina—a state that Trump won in both 2016 and 2020—showed Harris tied with her opponent. Even if she fails to win over states like North Carolina, Ohio, or Florida in the upcoming election, her increased competitiveness in these Republican-dominated swing states could compel her opponents to invest heavily in advertising to defend their territories.

Additionally, a separate poll indicated that Harris has a slight edge over Trump concerning the economy, a topic on which Trump had previously led Biden for months.

Trump’s rhetoric continues, asserting without evidence that Harris’s campaign manipulated crowd sizes using artificial intelligence. His statements come as social media buzzes with reports highlighting impressive crowd turnouts at Harris’s events in Georgia and Arizona.

He further criticized the media for not sufficiently covering the turnout at his rallies, drawing attention to his ongoing frustration with perceived media bias.