Harris' Winning Strategy: Keys To Success

In the 2024 US election, Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, faced Donald Trump, who was seeking a second term. Harris had the opportunity to become the first female president of the United States, as well as the first Black woman and the first Indian American person to hold the office. To win the election, a candidate needed at least 270 out of 538 Electoral College votes. While Harris initially led in the polls, the race tightened in the final weeks, and Trump ultimately won the election. However, in the lead-up to the election, Harris's path to victory was seen to lie through Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, along with other battleground states. Analysts suggested that Harris needed to focus on issues such as abortion and reproductive rights, trade policies, and border security, while also relying on her ground game of door-knocking and voter mobilization to secure a win.

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Win over Black and Latino voters who are curious about Trump

In the 2024 election, Donald Trump made inroads with Black and Latino voters, with a small but significant number voting for him. To win over these voters, Kamala Harris could focus on several strategies. Firstly, it is important to understand the reasons behind the shift towards Trump. One reason could be the increasing evangelicalism among Latinos, prompting them to embrace conservative values. This shift in values may have made Trump's policies more appealing to Latino voters, even if they did not personally like him. Additionally, some Latino voters felt that Democratic policies were counterintuitive to their identity as Latinos and Christians, especially regarding issues like mass deportations and abortion restrictions.

To counter this, Harris could emphasise her support for Latino communities and highlight policies that directly benefit them. For example, economic discontent was a significant issue for Latino voters, so Harris could emphasise her plans to raise wages and reduce costs of living. She could also emphasise her support for reproductive rights, which is another important issue for Latino voters.

Furthermore, Harris could focus on increasing engagement with Latino voters. According to one source, 45% of Latino voters reported not being contacted during the election, and contact rates were generally higher in battleground states. By increasing outreach to Latino voters, Harris could improve her support within this demographic.

Additionally, Harris could emphasise her support among Black women, who overwhelmingly voted for her. By highlighting this support, she may be able to appeal to Black voters who are curious about Trump but ultimately want to support a candidate with strong backing from their community.

Finally, Harris could focus on communicating her policies and values to voters who are less politically engaged. According to data analyst David Shor, people who were the least politically engaged swung against the Democrats in 2024. By reaching out to these voters and ensuring they understand her policies, Harris may be able to win over some of the voters who were curious about Trump.

Appeal to women voters by focusing on abortion and reproductive autonomy

Kamala Harris' path to victory in the Electoral College likely lies through Pennsylvania, but there are other ways for her to win without this swing state. One of Harris' key strategies is appealing to women voters by focusing on abortion and reproductive autonomy. This strategy is aimed at women voters with a track record of showing up in elections. Harris has made appearances on popular podcasts and events, such as "Call Her Daddy" and an event in Houston, to mobilise less politically engaged women.

Harris' willingness to speak freely and unapologetically about abortion and reproductive rights has been described as a "turning point" in the national conversation about women's health. She has linked the inability to access abortion care in states that have criminalised the procedure to the shutting down of clinics that provided other types of healthcare. This has energised voters and could potentially shift the conversation in her favour.

The abortion issue is particularly salient for undecided voters, especially white non-college women. Harris' campaign believes that abortion works as both a persuasion and mobilisation issue, and that it is a clear and galvanising subject that can help her secure votes. Harris' strategy seems to be paying off, as women voters are outpacing men in early voting in battleground states.

However, there are challenges to this strategy. In the two swing states of Arizona and Nevada, where abortion was on the ballot, Harris received less than 50% of the vote. This suggests that voters may have prioritised other issues, such as the economy, immigration, and crime. Additionally, the presence of referendums to protect abortion rights in some states may have reduced the need for voters to elect pro-choice candidates, as they could still vote to keep abortion legal while supporting Trump on other issues.

Win in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state with 19 electoral votes

Pennsylvania is a critical battleground state with 19 electoral votes, and winning it is the easiest path to victory for Kamala Harris. The state has been the focus of both the Harris and Trump campaigns, with both candidates spending more money on political advertising in Pennsylvania than in any other swing state.

Harris has a chance of winning Pennsylvania, as polls have shown her leading in the state, although her lead may be narrowing. Pennsylvania is the oldest of the battleground states, and Harris may struggle to win over voters older than 65, who make up just under 20% of the population. However, her candidacy has excited younger voters, especially women, in urban and suburban areas.

Harris can win Pennsylvania by avoiding the mistakes made by Hillary Clinton in 2016. Clinton lost the state because she failed to connect with the white, working-class voters who had previously supported Barack Obama. Harris must also ensure that she does not come across as too elitist or out-of-touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans.

To win in Pennsylvania, Harris should focus on her strengths, such as her ability to connect with ordinary Americans and her strong record on issues like healthcare and education. She should also highlight Trump's failures during his first term in office, such as his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his divisive rhetoric.

Additionally, Harris should continue to build momentum and excitement around her campaign by holding rallies and events in the state, as she did in the lead-up to the election. She should also continue to reach out to voters directly, as she did when she went door-to-door with campaign volunteers in Reading.

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Focus on the harm Trump's trade policies have done to workers

While it is true that Trump's trade policies have benefited some American workers, it is also true that they have hurt others. Trump's imposition of tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, the European Union, and other trading partners has had a detrimental effect on workers in sectors that rely on imported goods as inputs in their production processes. When the cost of imports rises due to tariffs, it often leads to job losses. Additionally, retaliatory tariffs from trading partners can limit US export production, further harming workers in these industries.

Trump's protectionist trade policies have also made the US a less desirable trade partner for other countries. His eagerness to resort to tariffs, even with close allies, has contributed to pushing potential trade partners away. This has likely had a negative impact on the US economy and job market. A study by the US-China Business Council (USCBC) claims that Trump's trade policies cost the US 245,000 jobs.

Furthermore, Trump's focus on protectionism and national security concerns has taken precedence over the interests of American workers. His administration's attempts to renegotiate trade agreements and protect American companies and national security have ultimately hurt workers in certain sectors. While some workers in import-competing industries may have benefited, those in industries that rely on imported inputs or face retaliation from trade partners have suffered.

To counter Trump's policies, Harris can emphasize the negative impact they have had on American workers. She can highlight the job losses and the harm to industries that rely on trade. By focusing on the harm done to workers, Harris can appeal to the working class and present herself as a champion for their rights and economic well-being. This can be a powerful message, especially in swing states with a significant working-class population, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Additionally, Harris can propose alternative policies that prioritize labor rights and fair trade practices. She can advocate for stronger labor unions and protections for workers, in contrast to Trump's attacks on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). By presenting a clear plan to support and empower workers, Harris can offer a compelling alternative to Trump's trade policies and demonstrate her commitment to improving the lives of American workers.

Win in other battleground states like Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada

Winning in the battleground states of Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada is crucial for Harris to secure the presidency. These states, along with Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina, are the key swing states that will likely decide the outcome of the election.

In Georgia, with 16 electoral votes, Harris needs to focus on mobilizing her supporters and encouraging low-propensity voters to turn out. She should leverage her ground game, including door-knocking and voter mobilization, to deliver the margins she needs to win. Georgia's 16 electoral votes are critical in helping Harris reach the 270 electoral votes required to win the election.

Arizona, with 11 electoral votes, is another important battleground state. Harris should appeal to women voters by emphasizing abortion and reproductive autonomy, especially in light of Trump's success in ending Roe v. Wade. Appearing on popular media platforms, such as podcasts, can help her reach and engage less politically engaged women.

Wisconsin, with 10 electoral votes, is a state where Harris can highlight the harm done to workers by Trump's trade policies. By focusing on the threat Trump poses to democracy and his failure to address job losses, Harris can make a powerful economic appeal to voters in Wisconsin.

Nevada, with 6 electoral votes, may be a tighter race. Harris should focus on her "ground game" and encourage supporters to turn out. She should also address the issue of migration and border security, as it is a major vulnerability for her campaign.

Overall, by focusing on these battleground states and implementing effective strategies, Harris can increase her chances of winning the election and becoming the first female president of the United States.

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