Kamala’s True Popularity Revealed

Vice President Kamala Harris is frequently touted by Democrats and left-leaning commentators as a rising star, often suggested to be more popular than President Joe Biden. They claim she injects an energizing force into the party, likening her appeal to the enthusiasm generated by former President Obama’s campaign in 2008. With the 2024 election approaching, this narrative seems to be a key talking point for her supporters.

However, recent data challenges this optimistic portrayal. In her first solo interview last week on MSNBC, Harris managed to attract around 1.84 million viewers. In stark contrast, the Fox News program “The Ingraham Angle,” airing at the same time, captivated 2.27 million viewers. This disparity raises important questions about the vice president’s actual appeal and the effectiveness of her messaging.

While some outlets tried to bolster Harris’s numbers by combining viewership from her initial airing with a repeat later that night—resulting in claims of 3 million total viewers—this tactic hardly tells the full story. Even after this adjustment, Fox News continued to outperform MSNBC, with its late-night show drawing approximately 1.7 million viewers compared to Harris’s re-airing.

Moreover, when it comes to the coveted 25-54 age demographic, which advertisers prioritize, Harris’s numbers faltered further. Ingraham’s program captured 251,000 viewers in this category, while Harris’s interview drew only 238,000. The trend continued into the late-night slot, with MSNBC garnering just 135,000 viewers versus Fox’s 310,000.

These figures prompt a critical look at the narrative surrounding Harris’s popularity. If she truly resonates with voters, one might expect her interviews to command a larger audience. As it stands, if Harris is serious about engaging with a broader demographic, perhaps she should consider making an appearance on Fox News, rather than shying away from it. The numbers suggest that her current approach may not be serving her ambitions well.