Former Obama adviser David Axelrod believes Vice President Kamala Harris is positioning herself as the change candidate to win over voters weary of another Donald Trump presidency.
Former Obama adviser David Axelrod has argued that Vice President Kamala Harris is strategically positioning herself as the "change candidate" in the 2024 presidential election, seeking to capitalize on voter fatigue with the Trump era.
Axelrod argues that Harris is presenting herself as the vehicle to move beyond the tumultuous era defined by former President Donald Trump. In a recent CNN segment, Axelrod elaborated on this strategy, highlighting Harris's appeal to voters who are "weary" of another Trump presidency.
Harris as the 'Turn the Page' Candidate in 2024 Election
"Yeah, I think this has been the dynamic from the moment she emerged as a candidate, John," Axelrod said, addressing CNN anchor John Berman. "She is the turn-the-page candidate in this race, at least that's the way it's been so far."
Axelrod emphasizes Harris's success in closing the enthusiasm gap among Democrats, a challenge faced by President Biden when he led the ticket. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll indicates Harris leading Trump by a narrow margin within the poll's margin of error. The poll also reveals that likely voters in the Sun Belt perceive Harris as an agent of change on par with Trump.
Harris as the 'Turn the Page' Candidate in 2024 Election
"I think that Trump was change in a race against Biden," Axelrod observed. "Suddenly, Trump is not change."
This sentiment is evident in the recent chants of "We're not going back" at Trump rallies, which Axelrod believes are directed at the former president's policies and rhetoric.
Harris as the 'Turn the Page' Candidate in 2024 Election
Harris reiterated her "turn the page" message in an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, stating her desire to move on from a decade she believes has contradicted the true spirit of the nation. When pressed by Bash about her role as vice president for three-and-a-half years, Harris countered by suggesting a broader departure from the era marked by Trump's political rise.
"I think that's been a powerful driver behind her surge that has put her in the race," Axelrod said, acknowledging Harris's effectiveness in countering the Trump campaign's attempts to associate her with Biden.
Harris as the 'Turn the Page' Candidate in 2024 Election
Trump's campaign, on the other hand, has focused on linking Harris to the perceived failures of the Biden administration. Trump 2024 national press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that Harris shares responsibility for those failures.
Despite these efforts, Axelrod believes Harris has managed to establish her own identity in the race, posing a significant challenge to the Trump campaign. Moreover, he points to Trump's history of outperforming public opinion polls in previous elections, making the outcome of the 2024 race uncertain.
