Kamala Harris' potential victory in the U.S. presidential race could be attributed to the Brat Summer, Beyonce's influence, and the backing of Taylor Swift's fanbase.
Kamala Harris Becomes Democratic Nominee for the 2024 US Presidential Election
Kamala Harris, a 59-year-old politician and attorney from Oakland, California, has secured the Democratic nomination for the 2024 US presidential election. The announcement comes after a fierce primary race and a significant fundraising effort that saw Harris raise over $1 billion in campaign funds from supporters.
Harris' nomination has been widely welcomed by many Democrats who admire her youth and liberal stances. The Democratic frontrunner is known for her stance on democracy and unity among Democrats, her pro-choice and pro-LGBTQAI+ positions, and her anti-gun stance.
Harris' nomination was not without controversy, however. Some progressive critics view her sudden candidacy and storm victory as a sign of the fragility of American democracy. Shadi Hamid, a columnist, has noted that many members within the Democratic Party are taking a "by any means necessary" stance on defeating Trump, which is suppressing opposition and critical discourse around Harris' nomination.
Harris' campaign has been marked by internal divisions between moderate and progressive factions within the Democratic Party. Some have criticised her for lacking detailed policy plans and a clear strategy to address major issues such as the Israel-Hamas war and inflation.
Despite these challenges, Harris is making progress with the Switifies, a coveted yet insurmountable voting block for most politicians. Charli XCX, a popular LGBTQAI+ celebrity, has expressed her support for Harris by tweeting "Kamala is brat", referencing the singer's last album that launched a movement now known as Brat summer.
Joe Biden announced that he is not seeking reelection and instead is supporting Harris' bid. The Washington Post's editorial board called for an open convention to vote for a new nominee, but this won't likely happen. David Polansky, in response to Hamid, has observed a surge of propaganda in progressive media outlets to support Harris' nomination.
Harris has also received the support from human rights groups and several political figures. Her campaign has incorporated the style of her album in their branding, with Beyoncé allowing Harris to use her 2016 hit 'Freedom' from the album Lemonade for her first official campaign video.
As the election approaches, there is a sense of urgency for Harris and the Democrats to move quickly if there is to be any time left for campaigning. Harris is currently closing Biden's gap to Trump in the polls, with a 2-point difference (47 per cent to 45 per cent). Harris is aiming to build a voter base where Biden had been trailing: Gen Zers.
Harris, who is the first woman of colour to be the Democratic frontrunner in the history of the United States, as her mother is Indian American and her father is Jamaican American, is poised to take on Donald Trump in the upcoming election. The race between the two candidates promises to be a close and competitive one, with the outcome likely to be decided by the coveted Switifies and the mobilisation of key voter coalitions.
- Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee for the 2024 US presidential election, is garnering support from various groups, including the Switifies, a significant voting block, and popular LGBTQAI+ celebrity Charli XCX.
- In the upcoming election, Harris, as the first woman of color to be the Democratic frontrunner, will face off against Donald Trump, with the outcome possibly decided by the mobilisation of key voter coalitions, such as the highly influential Switifies.
