Election season has officially entered its final stretch, and Vice President Kamala Harris‘ campaign is turning up the heat, honing in on those few last persuadable voters. With less than two weeks until Election Day, she’s bringing a renewed energy to her platform and pushing for support from Republican women who might be on the fence. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is hitting the campaign trail with his typical blend of antics and audacity, sparking both laughter and controversy among Americans. This Election 2024 race feels like a Halloween thriller as both sides attempt to sway critical swing states.
Kamala Harris Targets Republican Women in the Final Push
Harris’ strategy right now? Persuade Republican-leaning voters who may feel uncomfortable with Trump’s unpredictability. The Harris campaign is capitalising on former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s recent, very public criticisms of Trump. Kelly’s statements are now central to Harris’ messaging, painting Trump as “unhinged” and “fascist.” At this point, the goal is straightforward: give Republican women and moderate independents a nudge towards Harris by driving home the stakes of another Trump administration.
Leveraging Recent Headlines: John Kelly’s Statements
To win over these voters, the Harris campaign is leaning hard on statements from Kelly, who went on the record this week to detail his concerns about Trump. Here’s what Kelly’s interview highlighted:
- Trump’s authoritarian leanings: Kelly openly described Trump as a “fascist,” a label the Harris campaign has quickly taken up.
- Loyalty demands: Trump allegedly compared his expectations for U.S. generals to the loyalty shown by German generals to Hitler.
While the Harris campaign has had no shortage of Republican criticisms to draw on, Kelly’s recent remarks have created a unique moment for Democrats to capture. Election 2024 could pivot on getting these voters on board.
Polls Show a Tight Race—What This Means for the Harris Campaign
With Nate Silver and other analysts noting a tightening in national polls, it’s clear that this race is far from decided. Harris has maintained a steady base of support, but Trump’s numbers have crept up in key swing states. Swing state polling reflects early enthusiasm among Republican voters, while Democratic enthusiasm seems soft by comparison. The current situation boils down to a few key points:
- Harris’ steady lead: She’s remained at about 48–49% in national polls, but Trump is closing the gap as Election Day nears.
- Swing states: North Carolina and Nevada have seen a weaker early turnout among Democrats.
This last-minute narrowing has put the Harris campaign in overdrive, especially as swing state voter turnout becomes increasingly crucial to winning.
Trump’s Strategy: Outrage, Humour, and French Fry Antics
Trump’s campaign has been as unfiltered as ever, with Donald Trump delivering a mix of hyperbole, humour, and some downright strange moments. For instance, he’s recently leaned into a peculiar story about “putting French fries in his pants,” grabbing headlines in the process. This freewheeling behaviour is both a source of fascination and concern.
Trump’s bold personality has a dual impact: while it keeps his base entertained and excited, it also pushes moderate voters toward Harris. These antics include:
- French fry incident: Trump jokingly claimed to “put French fries in his pants,” leading to amusement and confusion among voters.
- McDonald’s stints: He’s playfully posed as a fast-food worker on the campaign trail, leaning into his “everyman” image.
All this unpredictable behaviour plays into Harris’ message that Trump is “unhinged.” For some Republicans and independents, these antics provide validation to Harris’ campaign, especially as Election 2024 draws closer.
Republican Confidence and the “McCarthy Chief of Staff” Talk
While Harris and her team remain intensely focused on polling data and swing states, Republican confidence appears to be growing. They’re already looking to a potential second term for Trump, with talk of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy being considered for White House chief of staff. It’s a scenario that’s revealing two things:
- Strategic positioning: Key GOP figures like McCarthy are looking ahead, seemingly confident about a Trump win.
- Internal GOP chatter: Sources from within the Republican camp seem assured that Election 2024 is theirs to win, even if polls show a much closer contest.
While Harris’ campaign is working overtime to secure every last vote, Republicans have seemingly started planning for a second Trump administration, emphasising their confidence as a stark contrast to the Harris campaign’s urgency.
Billionaire Owners and Media’s Shifting Endorsement Stance
A new development this week has sparked controversy as two major newspapers—The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post—have chosen not to endorse a candidate this election. While endorsements may not sway every voter, these decisions signal a trend that’s raising eyebrows among political analysts. Here’s why it matters:
- Fear of retribution: Both Patrick Soon-Shiong (L.A. Times) and Jeff Bezos (Washington Post) are reportedly concerned about how a potential Trump administration might retaliate against critical media outlets.
- Reader influence: Without endorsements, undecided voters lose a potentially influential perspective from major publications, often seen as a safeguard against authoritarianism.
In a year when so much is at stake, these non-endorsements raise questions about the media’s role in Election 2024.
The “Planter Fasciitis” Dilemma: GOP Leaders Consider Skewing State Votes
Just when you think this election can’t get stranger, GOP figures have entertained ways to award Trump electoral votes regardless of popular vote outcomes. Recently, Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland floated a scenario where North Carolina might award its electoral votes directly to Trump, citing hypothetical “disenfranchised voters” as the reasoning.
These ideas are far from practical, yet they reveal a willingness among some Republicans to alter the course of democratic processes to achieve a desired outcome. Such statements only fuel concerns from Harris supporters, particularly as Election Day nears.
Closing Thoughts: The Stakes of Election 2024
In the final two weeks leading up to Election Day, the Harris campaign is leaving no stone unturned. By leaning into the controversial statements of former Trump allies like John Kelly, Harris aims to nudge moderate Republicans and independents to her side. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s unpredictable campaign style and Republican confidence keep the stakes high, and the race tight.
Harris’ Halloween-themed Spooky Surge may resonate, but she’ll need more than a few spirited events to close the gap. With polling numbers showing a tightening race, the outcome remains uncertain.
Learn More:
- Kamala Harris: Detailed profile and recent speeches on Slate.
- John Kelly: Article from The Atlantic on Kelly’s statements.
- Swing States: RealClearPolitics’ swing state polling.
- Election 2024: Comprehensive CNN coverage of Election 2024.
- The Washington Post: Decision not to endorse a candidate this election.
