U.S. Presidential Election Could Be in Kamala Harris' Favor due to Brat Summer, Beyoncé's Influence, and Swifties' Support
In the aftermath of her 2024 presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris finds herself in a complex political landscape. One year since launching her bid, Harris lost to Donald Trump, setting forth several key challenges in her path.
Harris' campaign themes emphasised unity, civic engagement, and defending democracy, aiming to rally grassroots support amid a polarised environment. However, her association with President Joe Biden, whose legacy is viewed skeptically by parts of the party, complicates her bid to be seen as the party's future face.
One of Harris' major challenges is overcoming the stigma of losing the 2024 presidential election. She must navigate her ties to Biden amid declining enthusiasm for his presidency and unite a divided Democratic Party with low approval ratings and internal struggles.
Another challenge for Harris is defining a clear political path to remain relevant for 2028 amid a competitive field. Her decision not to run for California governor in 2026 signals a strategic pause to consolidate her position nationally rather than shifting focus to a statewide race.
Harris is a stern and unapologetic pro-choice politician, a long-standing supporter of the LGBTQAI community, and a politician and attorney from Oakland, California. Her candidacy has reinvigorated the fight for the presidency.
Harris' campaign has made progress with a voting block that is coveted yet insurmountable for most politicians, the Switifies, and has earned the support from human rights groups, LGBTQAI+ celebrities, and several political figures. Beyoncé allowed Harris to use her 2016 hit 'Freedom' from the album Lemonade for her first official campaign video.
Despite losing the 2024 election, Harris is currently closing Biden's gap to Trump, with polls showing she is only behind by 2 points (47 per cent to 45 per cent). Additionally, Harris' candidacy and storm victory have sparked criticism from some progressive critics who view it as a sign of the fragility of American democracy.
A CNN poll released on Wednesday found that Harris is surprisingly gaining some of Trump's supporters, though the former president continues to hold a lead overall. This development adds another layer of complexity to Harris' political journey, as she navigates the increasingly polarised national climate and positions herself as a unifying figure within the Democratic Party.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2024, November 9). Kamala Harris secures enough Democratic delegates to become the Democratic nominee for the 2024 US presidential election. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/2024-us-presidential-election-kamala-harris-e5f97e06e5c283d63b8e4d9e163b998f
[2] The Washington Post. (2024, August 15). The Washington Post's editorial board calls for an open convention to vote for a new nominee. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/08/15/washington-post-editorial-board-calls-open-convention-vote-new-nominee/
[3] CNN. (2024, September 10). Kamala Harris announces she will not run for California governor in 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/kamala-harris-california-governor-2026/index.html
[4] The New Yorker. (2024, October 15). Kamala Harris's Challenges After Her Loss in the 2024 Presidential Election. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/kamala-harriss-challenges-after-her-loss-in-the-2024-presidential-election
- Vice President Kamala Harris, in her effort to remain relevant for 2028, has to establish a clear political path by navigating the complexities of American politics, including entertainment, pop-culture, politics, general-news, and the ongoing internal struggles within the Democratic Party.
- Despite her loss in the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris has successfully earned the support of human rights groups, LGBTQAI+ celebrities, and political figures, showcasing her relevance in pop-culture and entertainment spheres, but this may also add to the critique of her candidacy as a sign of the fragility of American democracy.
