Progressive Democrats are cautioning Kamala Harris about the potential risk of losing support from a significant portion of her political base if she does not adjust her campaign's closing message promptly. Concerns have been raised that Harris has been overly focused on appealing to moderate Republicans in recent days, potentially alienating her party's passionate liberal base. Some progressive leaders believe that Harris' current emphasis on Republican Donald Trump and the threat he poses to U.S. democracy overlooks the economic challenges faced by the working class.
There is also discontent among some far-left leaders regarding Harris sharing the stage with figures like Liz Cheney and Mark Cuban, while progressive icons such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been given less prominent roles. Sanders emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of working-class people and expressed a desire for Harris to have done so earlier in her campaign.
The Harris campaign, however, is strategically targeting undecided moderate Republicans and swing-state voters in an effort to build a broad coalition. The campaign believes that focusing on moderate Republicans at this juncture is crucial, given the percentage of swing-state voters who are still undecided or persuadable. Harris' team is also mindful of countering perceptions that she is too far left, as portrayed by Trump's allies.
While Harris is set to deliver a speech highlighting the threat Trump poses to U.S. democracy, some progressives are urging her to place greater emphasis on addressing economic concerns. They argue that a message centered on economic issues could resonate more strongly with voters, particularly those feeling pessimistic about the economy and the country's direction.
Despite the criticisms, Harris has outlined various economic proposals, including plans to tackle price gouging, reduce prescription drug costs, and provide tax relief for the middle class. Progressive figures like Ocasio-Cortez have also been actively supporting Harris in swing states.
Former President Barack Obama has joined Harris on the campaign trail, aiming to bolster support among progressive voters. In contrast, Trump is focusing on key issues such as the economy, immigration, and foreign policy in his campaign messaging.
As the election approaches, Harris faces the challenge of balancing the concerns of progressive Democrats with the need to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters in her bid for the presidency.
