Biden’s sudden exit and endorsement of Harris upended the race, just eight days after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump plans to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’s ties to the Biden administration’s policies on immigration and the economy to win over swing voters in the November election.
Sources within the Trump campaign indicate a strategy to portray Harris, who is expected to become the Democratic candidate following Biden’s withdrawal, as a key figure in policies they blame for voter discontent. Trump believes Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden, stating to CNN, “Harris will be easier to beat than Joe Biden would have been.”
Trump’s campaign aims to link Harris directly to Biden’s immigration policy, criticized by Republicans for a sharp increase in illegal crossings at the southern border. Additionally, they plan to target the administration’s economic record, citing high food and fuel costs, as well as unaffordable home-buying interest rates.
“She’s the co-pilot of the Biden vision,” said a Trump adviser, emphasizing her integral role in the administration. Trump has already begun attacking Harris personally, dubbing her “Cackling Kamala” and criticizing her laugh as evidence of her instability.
Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, is shifting its focus from Biden to Harris, launching new ads in battleground states. These ads accuse Harris of concealing Biden’s incapacity and attribute negative outcomes like inflation and border issues to her.
At a Michigan rally, Trump intensified his rhetoric, calling Harris “crazy” and “nuts,” and suggesting her laugh revealed her instability. However, political strategists warn that Harris’s nomination could bring a new dynamic to the race. As a Black and Asian-American woman, Harris, 59, could energize younger voters and people of color, demographics Biden struggled to mobilize.
Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau believes Harris’s background as a prosecutor and attorney general equips her to effectively challenge Trump in public opinion. Republican strategist Chip Felkel cautions against underestimating Harris’s appeal, noting she could attract different parts of the electorate. Recent polls show Harris tied with Trump in a hypothetical matchup, underscoring her competitiveness.
Despite potential advantages, some strategists argue that Harris’s close ties to Biden could hinder her candidacy. Jeanette Hoffman, a Republican consultant, asserts that Harris “doesn’t represent the change America is looking for.” Meanwhile, MAGA Inc. CEO Taylor Budowich stated the group is prepared for any Democratic candidate, continuing their opposition research efforts.