Vice President Harris’s electrifying start to her presidential campaign has sparked questions about the longevity of her political honeymoon. Republicans suggest Harris’s initial success after President Biden’s exit and endorsement is fleeting, predicting she will soon face political setbacks before November.
Conversely, Democrats are optimistic, asserting her momentum is sustainable and dismissing concerns about a short-lived honeymoon as unfounded. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) noted, “There’s no honeymoon limit. Harris is uniting the Democratic Party, generating substantial momentum.”
VP Harris for President
Harris’s campaign has seen record-breaking fundraising, numerous Democratic endorsements, and enough delegate support to secure the nomination. As of Tuesday, her campaign reported raising $126 million since her official announcement, with expectations of continued fundraising success.
Support from young voters has surged since Harris launched her bid, with an Axios/Generation Lab survey showing her leading by 20 percentage points among this group, compared to Biden’s 6-point margin over Trump.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) remarked, “I don’t think she’s peaked yet.” While some aspects of Harris’s early campaign cannot be replicated, such as endorsements from prominent Democrats, the historic manner in which Biden endorsed her created unique excitement.
Despite this, Harris has additional opportunities to maintain momentum, including the Democratic National Convention and her vice-presidential nominee selection. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) emphasized, “It’s a Harris thing. Enthusiasm exists even without a VP pick.”
The Democratic National Committee plans for Harris to secure the nomination by Aug. 1, choose a running mate before Aug. 7, and attend the convention on Aug. 19, promising an eventful month for Democrats.
Although Harris’s start has been impressive, Trump still leads in most polls, particularly in battleground states, though Harris has narrowed the gap left by Biden’s debate performance.
Republicans believe highlighting Harris’s stances on the border, energy, and policing will eventually diminish her momentum. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) commented, “There’s a euphoria it’s not Biden. Harris’s policies could be worse than Biden’s.”
Democratic strategist James Carville cautioned that enthusiasm must be balanced with realism, noting the challenging campaign ahead. A survey by Emerson College Polling and The Hill found Trump leading Harris in key battleground states, surpassing Biden’s performance in those states against Trump.
Former Bush staffer Anita McBride noted the rapid shifts in politics, referencing the recent assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania. “Absolutely, this is a honeymoon period. Unity strengthens confidence, but anything can happen in politics,” McBride said.
Debates, if they occur, could also impact the race. Harris expressed readiness for a debate with Trump, emphasizing the importance of presenting voters with a clear contrast on stage. “I’m ready to debate Donald Trump on September 10. Voters deserve to see the differences clearly,” Harris asserted.
