CNN reporter Isaac Dovere has reported that Kamala Harris' campaign staff is uncomfortable with the emergence of "lock him up" chants directed at former President Trump at rallies.
Vice President Kamala Harris has recently taken the lead in betting markets for the upcoming presidential election, surpassing former President Trump for the first time since her elevation to the top of the Democratic ticket. According to the Real Clear Politics betting average, Harris now has a 50.7% chance of winning the presidency, while Trump's chances stand at 47.9%.
This shift in betting odds marks a significant development, as Harris becomes the first candidate to be favored over Trump since President Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed her candidacy. On May 1, when Biden was still in the running, he held a narrow 42.3% to 42.2% advantage over Trump.
Kamala Harris' Staff Discomfited by 'Lock Him Up' Chants at Rallies
In recent weeks, Trump's lead has steadily declined, particularly after Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The Harris campaign believes that this move will strengthen her support in critical Midwestern swing states, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Harris's rise in the betting markets is also reflected in her performance in national polls. She recently overtook Trump in the Real Clear Politics polling average for the first time on Monday, representing the first time that the presumed Democratic ticket has held the advantage since September 11, 2022.
Kamala Harris' Staff Discomfited by 'Lock Him Up' Chants at Rallies
However, despite Harris's recent gains, the betting markets remain highly competitive. In all the major betting markets tracked by Real Clear Politics, Harris holds either a narrow lead or is tied with Trump.
On the popular platform Predictit, Harris shares are selling for 57 cents, while Trump shares are selling for 46 cents, giving Harris an 11-cent lead. Shares on this platform are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, with the price essentially representing the perceived percentage chance of a particular outcome.
Kamala Harris' Staff Discomfited by 'Lock Him Up' Chants at Rallies
Despite the positive news for Harris in the betting markets and polls, neither the Trump nor Harris campaigns have responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
In other news, Harris' campaign has expressed discomfort over the emergence of "lock him up" chants directed at Trump at rallies. CNN reporter Isaac Dovere has reported that the campaign staff is concerned that these chants could alienate voters and damage Harris's image as a moderate and unifying candidate.
The "lock him up" chant gained prominence during the 2016 presidential election, when it was frequently directed at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The chant has also been used against Trump at protests and rallies.
Harris' campaign staff believes that the chant is inappropriate and does not reflect Harris's values of unity and respect for the rule of law. They are urging supporters to refrain from using the chant at rallies and to engage in civil discourse.
It remains to be seen whether the "lock him up" chants will continue to be a factor in the 2024 presidential race. Harris' campaign is confident that it can win the election without resorting to divisive tactics, while Trump's supporters may view the chant as a rallying cry against the perceived injustices of the Democratic Party.
