According to a GOP strategist, the increase in Vice President Kamala Harris’ momentum may stem from Democrats feeling more comfortable with a candidate other than President Biden, rather than her individual strengths as a candidate.
Following Biden’s decision to withdraw from his re-election campaign, the Democratic ticket has experienced a rise in several opinion polls, suggesting that Harris is performing more favorably than Biden against former President Trump.
A GOP strategist speaking to Fox News indicated that this momentum might not be due to Harris herself, but instead reflects the Democratic Party’s optimism about having a viable alternative to Biden.
“It’s primarily a sign of the relief Democrats are feeling by moving past the Biden campaign, which seemed to be struggling,” GOP strategist David Kochel shared with Fox News Digital.
RON DESANTIS CRITICIZES MAINSTREAM MEDIA FOR ‘WHITEWASHING’ KAMALA HARRIS’ RECORD: ‘BLIZZARD OF LIES’
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives for a campaign event in Milwaukee on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Daniel Steinle)
According to Fox News polling, since Biden’s exit from the race, Harris has gained a slight edge over Trump in nearly all swing states.
PIERS MORGAN STATES KAMALA HARRIS WILL MAKE HISTORY IF ELECTED AS ‘LITERALLY’ THE MOST FAR-LEFT SENATOR
In Michigan, Harris is now tied with Trump, even after Biden was trailing the former president by 8 points in January, as indicated by a recent Detroit News WDIV-TV poll.
Moreover, an ABC News/Ipsos poll revealed that Harris has experienced a favorability increase of nearly 10 points within a week following Biden’s withdrawal.
Democrats are highlighting Harris’ track record of success and asserting that she is helping to unite the party.
President Biden boards Air Force One as he departs Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on July 23, 2024. (Saul Loeb)
“It’s quite impressive how quickly Harris has managed to bring our large and varied party together, and this energy is emerging from grassroots efforts,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg remarked to Fox News, noting a “level of enthusiasm that I haven’t observed on the campaign trail in quite some time.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
However, Kochel cautioned Fox that Harris’ momentum will face scrutiny after the Democratic National Convention in August, when she is anticipated to be officially declared the party’s nominee for 2024.
“If she can maintain this momentum through the convention, it would more accurately reflect her abilities,” Kochel stated. “We should have a clearer picture in a month.”
