With the Democratic National Convention kicking off in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris faces the challenge of balancing her focus on the future with highlighting the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration. Democratic strategists emphasize the importance of showcasing her record to voters while simultaneously emphasizing her vision for the future and maintaining the momentum generated since President Biden suspended his re-election campaign.
The convention, running from Monday to Thursday, will culminate in Harris formally accepting the Democratic nomination for the presidency. Democratic strategists believe that Harris needs to capitalize on the growing enthusiasm among voters.
Brad Bannon, a Democrat strategist and pollster, emphasizes the need to maintain the current momentum. He believes that Harris has successfully seized the opportunity presented by President Biden’s decision to step back, raising substantial funds, solidifying her nomination, and choosing a popular running mate in Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. He sees the convention as a chance to further solidify this momentum.
Max Burns, founder of Third Degree Strategies, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the positive polling numbers and voter enthusiasm. He anticipates the convention to be more celebratory than a typical political event, allowing Harris to share her story with a nationwide audience.
While acknowledging the importance of recognizing past accomplishments, Kaivan Shroff, a Democratic strategist, urges Harris and Walz to focus on the future. He believes that voters are more interested in what candidates will do for them than what they have already done. Shroff stresses the importance of striking the right balance between showcasing accomplishments and highlighting future plans.
Bannon anticipates that Harris will not stray too far from President Biden’s policies, pointing to her newly unveiled economic policy plan, which proposes federal price controls to combat inflation. He sees this as a significant step, indicating a potential shift in economic policy and a more aggressive tone compared to President Biden’s approach. He believes that Harris’s campaign will be more assertive than Biden’s, representing a departure from Biden’s image as a calming influence in a divided nation.
The strategists’ advice underscores the importance of striking a delicate balance for Harris as she navigates the Democratic National Convention. She must capitalize on the existing momentum, solidify her candidacy, and generate excitement for the future, all while acknowledging the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration. The convention will be a crucial stage for Harris to demonstrate her vision and leadership as she enters the general election.
