At a leadership retreat for top aides, Jen O’Malley Dillon, campaign chair for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, discussed battleground states and warned that Harris did not have a guaranteed path to 270 electoral votes. Pennsylvania and North Carolina were key states, with Michigan and Wisconsin showing promise. While Harris aides were pleased with her debate performance, they acknowledged that it did not significantly change their outlook on the election. They expressed concern that if the election were held soon, Trump could still have a strong chance of winning.
Despite concerns from some leading Democrats about Harris losing momentum, the campaign remains focused on targeting undecided voters in battleground states. They are utilizing targeted appeals, including endorsements from unlikely sources like former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney. The campaign is planning carefully orchestrated events, such as an appearance with the National Association of Black Journalists, to engage with voters. A quiet confidence in their strategy is evident among Harris campaign aides, who acknowledge that the road to Election Day will be challenging.
Harris advisers are analyzing data from the debate to gauge her performance and are working to plan innovative appearances and breakthrough moments for her. Campaign ads are being crafted to highlight key moments from the debate, and efforts are being made to leverage Harris’ appeal in unconventional ways. There is tension within the campaign among different factions, but it is not as severe as in Harris’ previous bid for the presidency.
As the campaign looks for opportunities to maintain enthusiasm and translate summer excitement into fall momentum, they are exploring unconventional approaches to engage voters. David Plouffe, a former campaign manager for Barack Obama, is pushing for innovative strategies to keep Harris in the spotlight. The campaign is working to schedule more appearances like Harris’ chat with Oprah Winfrey, rather than focusing on traditional speeches or policy rollouts. Obama is expected to play a central role in energizing voters and is leveraging his influence to reach a wide audience through social media.
Despite the challenges of maintaining enthusiasm and momentum as the election nears, Democrats feel they have an edge over Trump in terms of volunteers and ground organizers. The campaign is working to engage with voters who may not respond to traditional media tactics, while also targeting traditional media outlets to reach a wider audience. With key figures like Obama and Michelle Obama expected to play pivotal roles in the campaign, the focus is on engaging diverse groups of voters and driving turnout in key states like Wisconsin.
As the campaign enters the final stretch, Harris continues to trend positively, but there is an acknowledgment that the path to victory will require continued effort and engagement with voters. While the campaign has seen incremental gains, there is a recognition that challenges remain in closing the deal with undecided voters. With a focus on targeted outreach and innovative approaches, the Harris campaign is working to build momentum and secure the support needed to win the election.
