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Democrats Express Concern Over Harris’ Ability to Win White Working-Class Votes
As the November election approaches, members of the Democratic Party are quietly anxious about Vice President Kamala Harris’ effectiveness in appealing to White, working-class voters, a demographic crucial for securing electoral victories. This concern has been highlighted in a recent report from Politico, which indicates a disparity between outward confidence and private apprehensions among party officials regarding former President Donald Trump’s potential to reclaim support in this vital voting block.
“Candidly, Trump has a solid, solid base of working-class people that have bought into his message,” stated Jimmy Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, underscoring the entrenched support for Trump within this demographic. He noted that while this voter base is shifting, it is not to the extent of a definitive movement.
Concerns of a Repeat of 2016
The anxiety among Democrats escalated recently when the Teamsters labor union opted not to endorse Harris, following internal polling that suggested Trump held a favorable position among union members, particularly men. This decision has elicited worries about Trump’s potential to attract significant backing from union households, reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s struggles in the 2016 election.
An anonymous union official shared their worries, observing the current polling landscape as a “red flag” that could signal deeper issues akin to those seen in 2016. “Hard not to have HRC flashbacks right now, to be honest,” the official remarked. “I hope it’s not.”
The Need for Stronger Engagement
Democrats from swing states argue that Harris needs to intensify her efforts to connect with the White working-class voters essential to the Rust Belt’s electorate. Concerns have also been raised regarding Harris’ criticism of Trump, particularly on issues significant to older voters, including Social Security and Medicare.
“I’m worried about her with [seniors]… most of all, I just think they don’t know her,” expressed an anonymous Democratic elected official from Pennsylvania. They emphasized the need for Harris to communicate more effectively about critical issues affecting these voters. Another Pennsylvania official echoed this sentiment, highlighting the limited focus the Democratic ticket has placed on those topics.
Current Polling Landscape
Recent polling data highlights the competitive nature of the race, with Trump holding a five-point lead over Harris in Arizona, with a spread of 50%-45%. In Georgia, he maintains a similar advantage with a 49%-45% lead. However, the race is tighter in North Carolina, where Harris is trailing by only two points at 49%-47%. This stands in contrast to a prior Fox News national poll that had Harris leading Trump by a narrow margin of 50%-48%.
As the election draws nearer, the Democratic Party is faced with the pressing need to address these internal concerns and engage effectively with key voter demographics to shore up their chances of success come November.
Source
www.foxnews.com