The big question now is how will Trump slow Kamala’s momentum?
Republican leaders have expressed concern that the Trump campaign was ill-prepared for President Biden’s abrupt decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. They argue that the former president’s team has struggled to effectively address the rise in momentum behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Some GOP senators believe that Trump should have anticipated this change at the top of the Democratic ticket and developed a strategic response well in advance. They view Trump’s clumsy remarks about Harris’s racial background at a recent convention as evidence of his campaign’s lack of a coherent strategy against her.
Additionally, Trump’s choice of Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate has raised eyebrows among Republicans. They argue that Vance’s controversial stances on issues such as abortion and his provocative remarks about “childless cat ladies” could be leveraged by Harris and the Democrats to paint the GOP in a negative light. This selection, they claim, reflects a misjudgment on Trump’s part regarding Biden’s withdrawal.
One Republican senator, who had previously advised Trump, mentioned that the former president seemed skeptical about Biden’s exit from the race. The senator noted, “I think they were genuinely surprised. The swift unification of the Democrats behind Harris caught them off guard.” The senator also pointed out that the shortened campaign period could benefit Harris, noting her impressive fundraising total of $310 million in July.
Another GOP senator expressed surprise at how quickly the Democratic Party consolidated support for Harris. This senator had expected a different nominee but was struck by how rapidly the party unified behind Harris.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump, acknowledged that while Trump anticipated Harris might take over the Democratic ticket, finding an effective counter-narrative against her has proven difficult. Graham suggested focusing on Harris’s record on issues such as the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and border security, arguing that her policy decisions have been detrimental to the country.
However, Democrats have contested Republican critiques of Harris. They argue that her role was more about addressing the root causes of migration rather than managing border security directly.
Republican strategists found themselves scrambling to gather information on Harris’s record immediately after Biden’s exit, revealing a lack of preparedness in Trump’s campaign. This lack of preparation was evident in Trump’s initial rally following Harris’s nomination, where he made several inaccurate claims about her record and background.
Trump’s attempt to highlight Harris’s racial identity by sharing a photo of her in traditional Indian attire was met with criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) criticized Trump’s approach, advocating for a campaign focused on substantive issues rather than personal attacks.
Overall, GOP senators and strategists are concerned that Trump’s campaign was unprepared for the rapid shift in the Democratic landscape and the swift consolidation of support behind Harris. They worry that Trump’s current tactics and messaging may not effectively counter Harris’s appeal as the 2024 election approaches.
