Washington, D.C., October 14, 2024 – As the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign continues to gain steam, former President Donald Trump’s increasingly hard-line rhetoric and extreme vision for the country is keeping Vice President Kamala Harris on a tight leash to stick to the defense of Biden administration record and agenda.
In his recent speeches and campaign rallies, Trump has doubled down on some of the most alarming of his stances: mass deportations, a revival of strict immigration policies, sweeping federal authority over crime and elections. There’s the reduction of the independence of federal agencies, the expansion of executive powers, and the rolling back of civil rights protection policies critics say would fundamentally reshape American democracy.
The radical proposals have spooked the Democrats, seeing the election as a lifeline or do-or-die election for the future. With President Joe Biden being questioned about his age and health, Harris, with her sitting vice president, stands out as an indispensable figure in the campaign against the Trump vision. She is increasingly likely to be a central spokesperson for rebuffing the Trump vision and galvanizing the Democratic base.
According to political analysts, the pressure is mounting on Harris as she tries to grapple with mixed public perceptions of her performance in office. While Harris has been very active on most key issues such as voting rights, immigration reform, and gun control, her approval ratings have hung lower than that of Biden, presenting a challenge for her role in the campaign.
Trump’s agenda poses an existential threat to American democracy, and Harris will have to convey what’s at stake,” said political strategist Emily Roth. “She has to mobilize support, particularly among voters of color, women, and the younger generation, who are going to be critical to the Democratic coalition.”.
Trump’s vision has galvanized his steadfast followers, but it has also polarized the electorate with many Americans criticizing the authoritarian tone of his proposals. Harris needs to unite the Democratic Party and make swing voters believe that the Biden-Harris administration presents a better future.
As the battle intensifies, the rhetoric is expected to be honed to develop the basis of argumentation to the point of a contentious election.
