The honeymoon phase is gone.
Following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, which led to Vice President Kamala Harris taking his place, there was a palpable sense of excitement among Democrats nationwide. However, with less than a month remaining until the election, that initial enthusiasm has faded, replaced by a growing sense of anxiety.
In early August, during a visit to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I encountered a wave of optimism among Democrats. Many were thrilled about the prospect of a Black woman potentially becoming president. One woman recounted how she called her mother to celebrate this historic opportunity. While some voters expressed dissatisfaction over Biden’s departure, they remained hopeful that Harris could revitalize the campaign and pose a significant challenge to Donald Trump. For a brief period, it seemed that Harris had successfully closed the gap with Trump, generating a sense of renewed momentum within the party.
Despite criticism from Republicans and media alike regarding her limited engagement with traditional interviews, Harris’s advisors were confident, believing that their candidate was winning. However, that confidence has since diminished. During a recent appearance on “60 Minutes,” Harris faced tough questions that exposed her reluctance to engage with difficult topics, particularly regarding U.S. relations with Israel. Her response to whether America had lost influence in the region was a convoluted explanation that left many questioning her grasp of the issues.
As I traveled over the past few weeks, it became increasingly challenging to engage Democrats about the presidential race. Many seemed to prefer avoiding the topic, akin to sports fans shunning coverage after their team suffers a string of losses. One lifelong Democrat in Ohio simply remarked, “I don’t know, she’s just kind of there.”
The decline in enthusiasm for Harris became evident, especially after the Teamsters failed to endorse her and internal polling indicated Trump leading among union voters. This shift prompted some Democrats to reconsider their earlier sentiments, with comments surfacing about potentially preferring Biden instead. While Harris’s team emphasizes her strong polling averages and significant campaign resources, there is no denying that the excitement surrounding her candidacy has diminished significantly.
