Kamala Harris currently holds a slim 3-point national lead in polling averages, positioning her as the favorite for the presidential election in November. However, the race remains close enough to be considered a toss-up, with varying opinions on how the Electoral College could impact the outcome. In this tight contest, every marginal vote she gains through persuasion or increased voter turnout could be crucial to securing a victory.
Historian John Ganz recently highlighted how Donald Trump’s campaign has been effective at appealing to America’s sizable community of individuals who hold fringe beliefs, such as vaccine-autism conspiracy theorists, 9/11 truthers, and QAnon followers.
Trump’s willingness to indulge these groups, even appearing on their podcasts and securing endorsements from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has created a loyal base of supporters. This appeal to fringe elements has helped Trump draw in voters who might not otherwise be politically engaged, a factor that could explain polling underestimates of his support in previous elections.
Harris may need to consider engaging with this group of voters, or at least neutralizing their potential support for Trump. In a democracy, every vote matters, even from those with unconventional beliefs.
Kamala Harris
Recently, Harris has begun engaging in what some have called “vice signaling,” aiming to present herself as a relatable and less “uptight” liberal by discussing issues like gun ownership. A similar approach targeting fringe beliefs could help Harris broaden her appeal without alienating her core supporters.
However, it’s important that any fringe issues Harris adopts do not carry strong associations with the right wing or risk damaging her existing base. One potential avenue is to tap into the growing interest in the paranormal, such as belief in ghosts, space aliens, or cryptids like Bigfoot and the Mothman.
Paul Brewer, a professor at the University of Delaware, has researched political communication and paranormal beliefs, noting that cryptid-related beliefs have widespread appeal across both Democrats and Republicans. This could represent a low-risk, low-stakes strategy to engage a broader range of voters.
Brewer’s research found that belief in creatures like Bigfoot is almost equally common among Democrats and Republicans, with younger voters being especially likely to entertain such ideas. Notably, the Mothman, a mysterious cryptid from West Virginia, has a particular appeal to liberals, especially younger and more progressive individuals.
This could make it a strategic issue for Harris to explore, as it aligns with her target demographic in swing states. Additionally, Mothman sightings have been reported in several key battleground areas, which could provide an opportunity to resonate with voters in those regions.
To engage with this group without fully embracing fringe beliefs, Brewer suggests that Harris could adopt a “just asking questions” approach. By framing her stance as curiosity or open-mindedness rather than outright belief, she could connect with fringe believers while avoiding alienation from mainstream voters.
This strategy has been used effectively by politicians discussing UFOs or controversial scientific topics, allowing them to appear engaged with unconventional ideas without fully committing to them. If Harris can adopt this approach with topics like the Mothman, she could maximize her appeal without the downside of embracing fringe conspiracy theories directly.
