Jonah Patel
Kamala Harris, the former Vice President of the United States, ran for president in the 2024 election. Harris was the official Democratic nominee and ran alongside Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota. Harris's campaign was marked by a short timeframe and a focus on safety, which some believed limited the campaign's ability to take risks. Despite losing the election to Donald Trump, Harris's political career has been notable for breaking barriers, including her time as the District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Election Year | 2024 |
| Running Mate | Tim Walz |
| Opponent | Donald Trump |
| Outcome | Lost |
| Electoral College Votes | 226 |
| National Vote Percentage | 48.5% |
| Path to Victory | Winning Pennsylvania or other swing states |
| Campaign Strategy | Stealth operation, recruiting people with no direct connection to the VP |
| Criticism | Being too "safe" and not holding enough in-person events |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign
On July 21, 2024, Kamala Harris, the 49th vice president of the United States, announced her 2024 campaign for president. She became the Democratic Party nominee on August 5, 2024, and selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Harris's campaign platform included national abortion protections, LGBT+ rights, stricter gun control, and addressing climate change. She also supported federal cannabis legalization, strengthening voting rights, and federal funding for housing. Notably, she proposed a "'populist'" economic agenda, marking a departure from President Biden's stance.
Harris's campaign utilized social media platforms like X and Instagram, with the handle @KamalaHQ, to appeal to younger voters. They employed various strategies, such as reposting memes and using popular music in rally walk-ons, including Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" and John Mellencamp's "Small Town." The campaign also leveraged digital ads, such as one featuring Beyoncé's song "Freedom," and targeted specific demographics, including Latino voters in battleground states. Harris's campaign faced opposition from some Arab Americans due to her stance on the Israel-Hamas war and the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, which threatened the Democratic Party's support among this demographic.
Harris's path to victory in the Electoral College was predicted to hinge on Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state. However, political experts acknowledged that she could potentially win without this state. Harris received endorsements from several prominent figures, including Puerto Rican musicians Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Fonsi, Ricky Martin, and Don Omar, as well as NBA star LeBron James. Additionally, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his preference for Harris, citing the importance of strengthening democracy in the US.
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The role of in-person events
Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign, alongside Tim Walz, faced a challenging landscape, ultimately losing to Donald Trump. In the aftermath, Walz reflected on the campaign, suggesting that they had played it too "safe". He emphasised that they should have organised more in-person events across the United States to engage with voters. This assertion highlights the critical role that in-person events can play in political campaigns.
In-person events are a traditional yet powerful tool in political campaigns, providing an opportunity to connect directly with voters. They allow candidates to showcase their charisma, passion, and ability to engage with the public. These events can range from small, intimate town hall meetings to large-scale rallies, each offering unique advantages. Town hall meetings, for instance, foster a sense of closeness and accessibility, enabling voters to ask questions and share their concerns directly with the candidate. On the other hand, rallies can galvanise supporters, creating a sense of momentum and enthusiasm that can attract media attention and generate positive news cycles.
For Harris and Walz, a more extensive schedule of in-person events could have offered several benefits. Firstly, it would have provided a platform to communicate their policies and ideas directly to the people, ensuring their message was heard without media interpretation. Secondly, it would have demonstrated their commitment to engaging with voters, showing they were willing to go the extra mile and not taking voters for granted. This could have been especially important given the shortened timeframe of their campaign, which limited their opportunities to connect with voters.
Additionally, in-person events can be pivotal in reaching voters who may be undecided or less politically engaged. A compelling event can capture the attention of these voters, providing an opportunity to make a personal connection and potentially sway their decision. Furthermore, these events can generate local media coverage, helping to spread the candidate's message even further and reach voters who may not typically engage with political news.
While it is challenging to determine the precise impact of additional in-person events on the outcome of an election, their role in engaging and influencing voters remains significant. For Harris and Walz, a more comprehensive in-person campaign could have potentially narrowed the gap with Trump, particularly if it had helped them win over even a small percentage of undecided or less engaged voters.
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The impact of a shortened campaign
Firstly, a shorter campaign season could benefit Harris by reducing the focus on fundraising. Typically, long campaigns require consistent cash flow, making politics heavily dependent on money. By shortening the campaign, Harris, or any candidate, could shift their focus to policy and spend less time worrying about finances. This could be especially beneficial for candidates who are not as well-known or who have less financial backing.
Additionally, a shorter campaign season could allow politicians to be more effective by giving them more time to focus on their current governmental duties. Most presidential candidates are current government officials, such as senators or representatives. The distraction of a lengthy campaign can take away from the time they need to work on legislation and address pressing issues like healthcare, immigration, and budget deficits. A shortened campaign could mean that candidates are more informed and effective policymakers during the election and beyond.
However, there is a counterargument to be made. Some believe that longer campaigns are beneficial as they bring lower-profile candidates to public attention. For example, Bill Clinton began campaigning nine months before the Democratic primaries for the 1992 election, and he was relatively unknown at the time. The extended campaign period allowed him to gain recognition and eventually win the presidency. In this case, a shortened campaign could disadvantage lesser-known candidates like Harris, who may need more time to introduce themselves to the electorate.
In conclusion, the impact of a shortened campaign season on Harris' election chances is difficult to predict. While it could benefit her by reducing the focus on fundraising and allowing more time for governance, it could also hinder her by providing less time to gain name recognition. The effectiveness of a shortened campaign season may depend on various factors, including the candidate's initial popularity and financial backing.
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The path to victory in the Electoral College
Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign, alongside her running mate Tim Walz, faced a challenging and fraught path to victory in the Electoral College. Harris, who served as Vice President prior to her campaign, officially became the Democratic party nominee on 5 August, just three months before the election. This abbreviated timeframe limited the campaign's ability to take risks and engage in extensive in-person events across the country.
Most political experts agree that Harris' likeliest path to victory in the Electoral College was through Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state. However, there were alternative strategies explored by her campaign to secure the necessary electoral votes without relying solely on Pennsylvania. One key aspect of her campaign involved a stealth operation, recruiting individuals with no direct connection to the Vice President. This indicates a cautious and strategic approach undertaken by the Harris campaign.
Despite their efforts, Harris and Walz ultimately lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump, conceding 312 electoral college votes to Trump's 226. This narrow margin of defeat, at approximately 1.5% in the national vote, suggests a highly competitive race. In the aftermath, Walz reflected on the campaign, expressing that they should have taken more risks and been less cautious in their strategy. He acknowledged that the shortened campaign timeframe may have contributed to their loss.
Looking forward, the 2028 Democratic presidential primary is anticipated to be highly contested, with several high-profile governors expected to join the race. Walz himself has not ruled out the possibility of running again, indicating his commitment to staying "on the playing field" to contribute to future Democratic victories.
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The influence of Pennsylvania as a swing state
Pennsylvania has been a traditionally liberal Republican state, with a dominant state Republican Party that is oriented towards social spending. However, the state has been leaning more Democratic since the 1990s, voting for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992 except in 2016 and 2024, when it was won by Republican Donald Trump. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Allentown, and Scranton are Democratic strongholds in the state, often delivering large margins for the Democrats in statewide elections. However, like most states, Pennsylvania's rural areas tend to be more conservative and support Republicans.
Pennsylvania is considered a swing state, and its political landscape is evolving. While it has voted for the nationwide winner in 83% of elections, there is no clear trend towards either party. The true swing areas of the state are the suburbs of the large cities, notably Philadelphia's collar counties and the Pittsburgh suburbs. These areas have become more Republican in recent years, and the parties are tied in statewide elections from 2020 to 2024.
The impact of Pennsylvania as a swing state is significant in the context of the 2024 election. Most political experts agree that Vice President Kamala Harris' likeliest path to victory in the Electoral College is through Pennsylvania. However, there is a possibility for her to win without the state. The outcome in Pennsylvania in 2024 was a victory for Donald Trump over Kamala Harris by a margin of 1.7%. This narrow margin indicates that Pennsylvania remains a competitive state that could be won by either party.
The Democratic Party's losses in Pennsylvania in 2024 have prompted introspection and doubts about the state's status as a swing state. Some attribute the losses to voters motivated specifically by President-elect Donald Trump, suggesting that his absence from future ballots may impact voter turnout. Despite the 2024 results, Pennsylvania Democrats remain confident in the state's status as a swing state, and Governor Josh Shapiro is considered a potential contender for the party's 2028 presidential nomination.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump.
Tim Walz, Harris's running mate, has stated that they were too "safe" during their campaign and should have held more in-person events across the US. The shortened length of their campaign limited the risks they could take.
Most political experts agree that Harris's likeliest path to victory in the Electoral College was through Pennsylvania.
