Market Analysis

Vice President Kamala Harris is adjusting her campaign strategy to appeal to more men and Republicans, while intensifying her criticisms of Donald Trump amid rising concerns within the Democratic Party over polls indicating that her rival is gaining ground.

According to various public and internal campaign polls referenced by Democratic sources, the Democratic nominee is in a statistical tie with the former Republican president, Trump, in key states. This has led to some finger-pointing and second-guessing within the party.

The current situation is frustrating for a campaign that initially experienced a surge in enthusiasm and funding when Harris took over for President Joe Biden in July, followed by a successful Democratic convention and a perceived victory in her only debate against Trump.

"This was always going to be a tight race... That doesn’t mean we’re not losing sleep over it," said a senior Democratic campaign aide, reflecting the atmosphere at both the White House and the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

After weeks of focusing on policy and establishing her presence on the national stage, Harris is returning to a more combative approach reminiscent of her July campaign style. An adviser noted that she aims to project strength to attract voters who may be drawn to Trump’s strongman persona.

At a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Monday night, she showcased clips of Trump referring to an "enemy within" America, arguing that he poses a significant threat to the country. Additionally, she engaged with popular figures such as Charlamagne tha God to connect with Black men and participated in a contentious interview with Fox News to reach conservative audiences. Next, she may engage with popular podcaster Joe Rogan to attract his young male followers.

Nationally, Harris’ lead over Trump has decreased from a seven-point advantage in late September to just three points, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling. Even more troubling for Democrats is the fact that she and Trump are statistically tied in seven pivotal battleground states that will determine the election's outcome.

These shifting polls coincide with ongoing concerns about high food and rent prices, while Trump is leveraging fears surrounding immigration issues with increasingly extreme rhetoric.

Despite stock markets reaching record highs and some analysts asserting that Harris’ policies could lead to reduced debt and enhanced economic growth compared to Trump’s, polls indicate that voters trust Trump more on economic issues—one of the election's top priorities.

"Kamala Harris is the underdog, as she has consistently stated," noted Democratic strategist Anthony Coley. "Many believed this was mere political posturing, but it was true when she first said it in July, and it remains true three weeks from the election."

Recently, three Trump donors expressed growing confidence in his prospects, attributing the shift to Americans' heightened focus on immigration and Trump's recent surge of rallies and events.

"I spoke with the campaign, and they’re cautiously optimistic," one donor shared. "We only need to win one of the blue wall states, which is quite achievable," referring to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, which, if won alongside Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina, would secure the presidency for Trump.

In response to the close race, Harris stated, "This is an election for president of the United States. It’s not supposed to be easy."

RACE WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR
While Harris has regained significant support from suburban and middle-class voters who had shifted to Trump during Biden's final campaign months, internal polling from her campaign reveals that she is within the margin of error in all seven battleground states that will determine the election outcome. According to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation, she is tied in Pennsylvania, slightly ahead in Wisconsin, and trailing in Michigan.

Support from men of various races remains a critical weakness for Harris, particularly since her numbers fall short of Biden's. Some Democrats point to the campaign's strategy of appealing to the center and its insufficient engagement with local Democrats as contributing factors.

Byron Nolen, mayor of Inkster, a Detroit suburb and president of the local Democratic club, criticized the campaign's efforts in Michigan, saying, "In my view, they could have handled Michigan better. We’re still trying to engage people."

Harris’ outreach to Republicans, even as some Democrats urge her to distance herself from Biden's firm support for Israel, has raised concerns. Aaron Regunberg, a progressive former Rhode Island representative, questioned the campaign's pivot from characterizing Republicans as "weird" during the summer to now expressing a desire to have them in her cabinet.

He argued that instead of highlighting endorsements from Republicans like former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Harris should publicly diverge from Biden's Gaza policy to garner more support.

With ample funding, Democrats intend to continue their ground game in all seven battleground states, planning to outspend Trump on digital and television advertising. Currently, there are no plans for Harris to restrict her public appearances to only the most crucial states.

"Our strategy is to compete everywhere, expand the map, and maximize our pathways to victory," wrote campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon in a recent email to staff and volunteers.

This week, Harris will make stops in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, while her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will hold events in Wisconsin, western Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Nebraska's second congressional district, where a win could yield a crucial single electoral vote for Harris.

"It's the final stretch in a close election reminiscent of 2016 and 2020," stated Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. "I remain cautiously optimistic."

Paraphrasing text from "Reuters" all rights reserved by the original author.