David Axelrod, a Democratic strategist, expressed caution regarding the enthusiasm surrounding Vice President Harris’s campaign, labeling it as “irrational exuberance” in the context of a tightly contested race.
Although Harris’s campaign has made impressive strides, setting fundraising records and narrowing former President Trump’s lead in polls, Axelrod pointed out that the race remains extremely competitive. “Harris has built considerable momentum, but the polling indicates that this race is still very close,” Axelrod noted. “Both sides face a tough battle based on current numbers.”
David Axelrod highlighted last week that Trump remains a “substantial favorite” over the vice president
Axelrod acknowledged the surge of optimism within the Democratic Party but cautioned against overconfidence. “There’s a lot of irrational exuberance on the Democratic side now, particularly after a period of gloom about November’s prospects,” he said. “People now feel there’s a glimmer of hope.”
Despite this enthusiasm, Axelrod maintained that Trump still holds an advantage. “At the moment, it’s Trump’s race to lose,” Axelrod commented. “He leads in most battleground states, though the margins are tight and the outcomes could go either way.”
Having previously advised Biden to exit the 2024 race, Axelrod has not joined the growing support for Harris among other party members. He reiterated last week that Trump remains a “substantial favorite” over the vice president.
Harris officially became the Democratic nominee last week and is expected to announce her vice presidential pick before a campaign event on Tuesday. Polling data continues to show a narrow lead for Trump, with a 1.1 point advantage over Harris in The Hill/Decision Desk HQ national average. Both candidates are within the margin of error in key battleground states, with the latest prediction model giving Trump a 56 percent chance of winning the presidency.
