With Election Day fast approaching, it seems the Democratic camp is already in panic mode, anticipating the possible fallout if Kamala Harris can’t edge out Donald Trump. Although no one knows who’ll be packing up for the White House next week, Democrats are reportedly scrambling to line up their excuses in case the race doesn’t end in Harris’s favor. The underlying message? They’re more than a little anxious about losing to Trump, and they’re priming themselves to point fingers if it all goes south.
Among those worried about the campaign’s direction, Democrats are casting a critical eye on Harris’s messaging—especially when it comes to the economy. The complaints are piling up, with some insiders venting their frustration at the campaign’s lack of clarity on issues that actually resonate with voters. Some even believe Biden’s reluctance to bow out sooner may have stalled the campaign from finding its footing early on. From the outside, it’s looking like Democrats are already hedging their bets, with one strategist openly admitting that the griping is all about nerves and “covering their own hides” before the votes are tallied.
An interesting angle is developing around Harris’s choice of running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. According to whispers in the party, her choice of Walz may have been a misstep. A former Obama staffer didn’t mince words, suggesting Harris “will look silly” for not going with Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro instead. Even donors are chiming in, with one saying that while Walz might be someone you’d want to grab a beer with, he just doesn’t have that extra oomph to bolster the ticket. These behind-the-scenes snipes reflect the mounting frustration within the Democratic ranks.
Then, of course, there’s Biden’s recent not-so-diplomatic dig at Trump supporters, calling them “garbage.” Not exactly the language of unity, and certainly not helping Harris’s chances in a tight race where every vote matters. And while Harris has tried to court centrists with her recent policy proposals, she’s managed to alienate some on the left in the process. Her campaign tour with former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, of all people, has left some progressives scratching their heads. After all, Cheney might despise Trump, but she’s still seen as an establishment Republican, something that doesn’t exactly fire up the party’s left wing.
Despite all the grumbling, the party faithful are still trying to play along with Harris’s attempt to appear more moderate—if only to win over a few swing voters. But to anyone paying attention, her so-called pivot to the center looks more like strategy than sincerity. Progressive stalwarts are quick to reassure voters that Harris hasn’t truly left her far-left roots. Even Sen. Bernie Sanders offered a diplomatic spin, suggesting Harris is merely being “pragmatic” to appeal to the middle. Translation: her heart’s still with big government policies; she’s just dressing it up in more appealing packaging to get over the finish line.
As the final days of campaigning wind down, the internal bickering within the Democratic Party shows no signs of abating. If Harris can’t pull off a victory, expect the infighting to explode into an all-out blame game. In the meantime, though, the Democrats are walking a tightrope, trying to balance their left-wing credentials with just enough middle-ground appeal to keep Trump from pulling off a win.
