In a pivotal election cycle, Vice President Kamala Harris is consciously sidestepping the pitfalls that affected Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign by not centering her presidential run around her gender, aiming instead to focus on broader electoral issues.
The Telegraph reported that Harris is gaining traction among women voters without making her gender the main focus of her campaign, contrasting sharply with Hillary Clinton's 2016 approach.
At the Democratic National Convention, which kicked off on a high note this past Monday, the mood among Harris supporters was jubilant, reflecting her rising popularity, especially among women.
This enthusiasm is timely as the Democrats work to solidify and expand their base ahead of the November elections.
In critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, Harris has significantly widened her lead among voters, from 10 percent to 17 percent. This improvement could prove crucial in these battleground areas.
While Donald Trump maintains his national lead among male voters, in swing states, his advantage has slightly diminished. These trends highlight the evolving dynamics of voter preferences as the election approaches.
Historically, women have voted in greater numbers than men, a trend underscored by recent elections. For instance, in the 2020 presidential race, more women registered and voted compared to their male counterparts. This pattern is likely to impact the upcoming election significantly.
According to Debbie Walsh, director of the Centre for American Women and Politics, the entry of Harris into the race has energized a significant portion of the electorate, particularly women, who may feel more represented by her candidacy.
Unlike Hillary Clinton, who heavily emphasized the historic nature of her potential presidency, Harris has downplayed the notion of becoming the first female president. This approach marks a deliberate shift from the 2016 Clinton campaign, which focused significantly on breaking the gender barrier in politics.
Clinton's campaign actively utilized gender as a central theme, employing symbols like Rosie the Riveter and slogans such as "I'm With Her" to rally support. In contrast, Harris's campaign advertisements highlight her achievements and qualifications, avoiding a heavy emphasis on her gender.
Willie Ritch, a political strategist, notes that Harris's campaign bears similarities to Barack Obama's 2008 strategy, which did not prominently feature his race. This approach seems to resonate with voters who prefer to focus on policy over identity politics.
Harris is also benefiting from advice from Obama's former campaign director, David Plouffe, who has recently joined her team, suggesting a strategic alignment with one of the most successful Democratic campaigns in recent history.
The Republican campaign has focused on Harris’s identity to a considerable extent, with attacks targeting her background. However, Harris's campaign has dismissed these attacks as "weird," focusing instead on substantive issues.
Supporters like Susan Sheehan from Maine appreciate Harris's approach. Despite traditionally leaning Republican, Sheehan finds Harris’s stance on issues like Roe v. Wade compelling, especially in the current political climate.
By centering her campaign on practical concerns—termed "kitchen table issues" by Democratic strategist Mary Noone—such as education, childcare, and the family budget, Harris is directly addressing the everyday challenges facing many voters, particularly women.
Christopher Galdieri, a professor of politics, believes that Harris’s relatively new presence in national politics could be advantageous. Unlike Clinton, who had been a public figure for decades, Harris presents a fresh perspective that might attract voters looking for change.
Now that theory may not hold up considering Harris isn't exactly a new figure accounting for her 2020 presidential run and the fact she has been Vice President for four years. But Democrats are hoping that she can still capture that outsider image.
