Kamala Harris: A Stronger Candidate Against Trump? | WSJ

Introduction

With President Biden expected to drop out of the 2024 election, some are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris. No one knows better how to prosecute the case against Donald Trump than Harris, who tried in the 2020 Democratic primary. This time around, she could potentially come out strong and maintain success, which would make the election significantly more competitive compared to if Biden stayed in the race.

Harris in a Potential Race Against Trump

Donald Trump simply does not have the character to be president of the United States. Experts say Harris could face a tough campaign but she has several key advantages. To win the presidency without winning the majority of white voters, you must check off all other boxes.

Advantages with Voters

One key advantage Harris has is her potential to win over more women, people of color, and young voters. "We are going to be able to effectively make the case about women's healthcare and their right to choose how they want to live their lives. This is a fight for fundamental freedom," Harris stated. A Wall Street Journal poll in April found that abortion was the most powerful issue driving suburban women in swing states. Over half of the women in the poll said Trump's policies on abortion were too restrictive.

Some Democrats and political experts also expect Harris to evoke more excitement from Black voters, a crucial advantage as Biden's support from that group has been slipping. As an African-American woman, she's expected to have a unique connection with voters in urban centers like Detroit, Michigan, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—cities crucial for historical turnout to win swing states. Harris could also gain support from younger voters who lost confidence in Biden's ability to beat Trump. "Kamala Harris gets to be the knight in shining armor here. She carries the policies and ideas of Joe Biden without the concerns that led to Biden's decision to withdraw," one expert remarked.

Campaign Energy and Style

At 59 years old, Harris is significantly younger than Biden, who is 81. "We get to go coast to coast without worrying about her energy level, hitting critical media markets." Harris channels a lot of the excitement generated by Obama in 2008—a young candidate of color promising a multicultural, unified vision for America.

Strong Debating Skills

Harris's background as a prosecutor helped her come off as a strong debater in the 2020 presidential campaign. "There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools... and that little girl was me," she said, which resonated with many and boosted her poll numbers. After her vice presidential debate with Mike Pence, more voters thought she won the debate. In a race against Trump, Harris would need to replicate that debate success.

Potential Challenges

However, recent polls, like one by Emerson College, show Harris significantly trailing Trump. "What we've seen with Biden on the ticket is Trump had a ceiling of about 46%." Can Harris get over 45-48%? To win, she must get closer to 50%.

Another concern is immigration policies. "Kamala had one job, and that was to fix the border. Now imagine her in charge of the entire country," critics say. This is expected to be a point of contention during the campaign.

Personality Over Policies

At the end of the day, some experts believe the race may center on personalities rather than policies. Harris replacing Biden would force the Trump campaign to change its strategy. Trump has spent years attacking Biden; how will he adjust to Kamala Harris? Trump has often used terms like "sleepy Joe" and "laughing Kamala" in his rhetoric.

Organizational Challenges

With Biden being the presumptive nominee since March, this creates questions around how well organized the Democratic party may be. "It's a very short onboarding process," experts say. It's also yet to be seen who Harris might pick as her vice president, a decision crucial to shoring up her base demographically and regionally.

The Obama Coalition

Ultimately, Harris’s path to victory might lie in reassembling the Obama Coalition from 2008—a coalition with robust African-American turnout, strong support among Latinos, and holding her own among white and rural voters. "If she can articulate ideas and inspire groups with her voice, it could be a game-changer."

Keywords

• Kamala Harris
• Joe Biden
• Donald Trump
• 2024 election
• Democratic primary
• Voters
• Women, People of color, Young voters
• Abortion
• Black voters
• Urban centers
• Debate skills
• Immigration policies
• Obama Coalition

FAQ

Q: What are the key advantages Kamala Harris has in a race against Trump? A: Harris has the potential to win over women, people of color, and young voters. She also channels the excitement and energy reminiscent of Obama that can resonate with a diverse electorate.

Q: How do recent polls reflect Harris's chances against Trump? A: Recent polls show Harris trailing Trump. However, these polls often capture voters' knee-jerk reactions, and experts believe her numbers could improve as voters get to know her better.

Q: What could be a primary challenge for Harris during the campaign? A: Harris's handling of immigration policies could be a significant point of contention. Critics argue she has not effectively managed the border issues, making it an area Trump’s campaign could target.

Q: How critical is the vice-presidential pick for Harris? A: Extremely crucial. The choice would be vital both regionally and demographically to shore up her base and attract a broad coalition of voters.

Q: What does Harris need to replicate from Obama’s campaign to ensure success? A: Harris needs to reassemble the Obama Coalition from 2008, which included high African-American turnout, strong Latino support, and significant backing from white and rural voters.