Kenneth L. Khachigian, a seasoned political strategist, believes Kamala Harris will lose the presidential race against Donald Trump due to fundamental campaign flaws.
In a detailed critique published by The Wall Street Journal on October 31st, Kenneth L. Khachigian, who has been involved in presidential politics since the Nixon era, lays out three primary reasons for his belief that Vice President Kamala Harris will be unsuccessful in the upcoming election.
Khachigian argues that Harris's campaign has suffered due to her inability to distinguish herself from President Joe Biden. He points out that this lack of differentiation may alienate her from voters seeking a new direction.
Additionally, he believes Harris has failed to demonstrate the leadership qualities expected of a president, which could deter voters looking for strong leadership in these challenging times.
Another critical issue he addresses is Harris's appeal to the Democratic base. According to Khachigian, there is a significant risk that core Democratic voters, who are crucial for a Democratic victory, might not support her as strongly as expected. He notes that she appears to be overly supported by established Democrats and mainstream media, which could further complicate her appeal to the grassroots level.
Despite nearly four years in office, Khachigian believes Harris has not utilized her role as Vice President effectively to boost her stature on both national and international stages. This, he claims, has left her without a significant portfolio of accomplishments that could have enhanced her candidacy.
He also mentions Harris's substantial campaign fundraising, totaling approximately $1 billion since Biden stepped out of the race, indicating that while she has financial backing, it may not translate into voter support.
Harris has notably declined several interview requests from major news outlets, and her few interviews have sometimes been contentious, notably a tough exchange with Bret Baier on Fox News concerning immigration policies. These interactions, or lack thereof, could impact public perception of her readiness and transparency.
In her public communications, Harris has been consistent in her criticism of Donald Trump, frequently calling him a fascist and labeling him a 'petty tyrant.'
However, these strong accusations against the former president might not resonate with voters concerned about bipartisan cooperation and unity.
In a telling comment on 'The View,' Harris stated she wouldn’t have done anything differently than Biden, thereby affirming her alignment with the current administration.
This statement might hinder her ability to present herself as a change candidate within her own party, especially given Biden’s low approval ratings, which stand at 38.7 percent.
Khachigian criticizes the vice president’s closing arguments and her reliance on celebrity endorsements as indicative of a struggling campaign. He suggests that such strategies may seem desperate and could turn off more voters than they attract.
Overall, Khachigian's analysis paints a bleak picture of Harris’s campaign, citing a combination of poor strategic choices, insufficient distinction from Biden, and a failure to capitalize on her role as Vice President.
His conclusion is stark: Harris is an untested candidate not ready for the presidency, at a moment when the country needs proven leadership.