Democrats can’t even come up with their own chants anymore.
CNN reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere has noted a recent discomfort among Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign staff regarding the chants of “lock him up” that have emerged at recent rallies directed at former President Donald Trump. This chant mirrors the “lock her up” slogan that became a hallmark of Trump’s 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.
Dovere observed that when the chants began at a Harris rally, several aides visibly reacted with unease, expressing a desire to curtail the chants. “When parts of the crowd started chanting ‘lock him up,’ several aides to the Harris campaign appeared quite uncomfortable and said, ‘we need to not have this happen,’” Dovere reported.
Dovere, who was present at the Harris-Walz rally in Philadelphia, noted that Harris did not address the chants during this particular event, unlike her previous responses. This reaction suggests that the Harris campaign is wary of the negative connotations associated with such chants. “The Democratic campaign is not thrilled with the direction this is taking,” Dovere added, highlighting concerns over the tone and impact of these chants.
Kasie Hunt, a host on CNN, pointed out that these chants could inadvertently align the Harris campaign with Trump, suggesting a similarity in campaign tactics that could be detrimental to her image.
Karen Finney, a CNN commentator and Democratic strategist, reflected on the situation, noting that similar chants were also present during the 2020 campaign. She emphasized that Harris’ campaign is striving to maintain a positive and forward-looking message. “The campaign is about optimism, future-oriented goals, and positive energy,” Finney explained. She contrasted this with the often retributive and negative atmosphere seen at Trump rallies, suggesting that Harris’ campaign seeks to avoid that negative energy.
Harris herself has directly addressed the “lock him up” chants on several occasions, emphasizing a focus on defeating Trump through the democratic process. At a rally in Detroit, Harris remarked that “the courts will handle” any legal consequences for Trump, underscoring her intent to focus on winning the election rather than engaging in retribution. She reinforced this stance by stating, “Our campaign isn’t just a battle against Donald Trump. It is a battle for the future.”
