Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as a formidable candidate for the presidential race, igniting enthusiasm among Democrats nationwide. Despite only announcing her candidacy three days ago, Harris has already secured enough delegate support to become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. Moreover, she has broken campaign fundraising records, signaling a wave of excitement and optimism within the party.

Don Levy, the director of the Siena College Research Institute, aptly captures the current mood among Democrats: “The Democrats, to my eye, are excited about being excited.” Harris’ entry into the race has the potential to reenergize crucial voter demographics, including women, young voters, and Black voters. However, the outcome of the election will likely hinge on a few key swing states, as has been the case in recent presidential elections.

Harris has the opportunity to rally critical groups, including women, young voters, and Black voters. Levy emphasizes that it will be up to Harris to demonstrate her capability and argue that her relative youth, vitality, and clarity on issues like democracy and abortion are what the country needs. Her goal will be to generate enthusiasm among these demographics, convincing them that she is not just up to the job, but the best candidate for it.

The Harris campaign is leveraging an emerging trend on social media to connect with younger Americans. Videos and audio clips of Harris, many of which were previously used by Republicans to criticize her, have been remixed by her supporters and spread widely across platforms like TikTok. One particularly popular clip features Harris recounting a piece of advice from her mother: “I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”

This “coconut tree” clip has resonated strongly with Gen Z, demonstrating the campaign’s ability to capitalize on pop culture moments to generate enthusiasm among younger voters. Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the Center for American Women and Politics, notes that this strategy can be effective in engaging younger people who might otherwise be less interested in the presidential race.

Targeting Swing States

The importance of voter turnout in battleground states cannot be overstated. Levy highlights the significance of strong turnout among Black and young voters in high-density areas in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These states could be crucial to Harris’ success, and the Harris campaign is well aware of this fact.

The Harris campaign has wasted no time in targeting these critical states. The presumptive Democratic nominee held her first presidential campaign rally in Wisconsin shortly after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection. Harris framed the election as a choice between a prosecutor and a convict, highlighting former President Donald Trump’s legal issues over the years.

Dittmar points out that Harris has already established some recognition among Democrats in these key battleground states, which will be advantageous as she shifts to the top of the ticket. The campaign will continue to focus on these areas, hoping to build on the support she has already garnered.

According to campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, the Harris campaign will emphasize issues that resonate with voters who have leaned towards the Democrats since the 2020 election. These voters, Dillon argues, will be critical in battleground states. Harris has been at the forefront of significant issues such as restoring women’s reproductive rights, upholding the rule of law following January 6, addressing Donald Trump’s criminal convictions, and responding to the Supreme Court’s immunity decision.

The Harris campaign will concentrate on the “blue wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, as well as Sun Belt states like North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. These states are seen as pivotal in securing a Democratic victory in the upcoming election.

Polling and Prospects

Since Biden’s withdrawal from the race, polls have started to reflect the new landscape. An NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll published Tuesday shows a tight race, with 46% of registered voters supporting Trump, 45% supporting Harris, and 9% undecided, within a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.

O’Malley Dillon remains optimistic about Harris’ chances, noting that she has the potential to bring together a coalition of voters that keeps a wide set of states in play. Harris’ focus on key issues and her ability to energize critical voter demographics are seen as strengths in her campaign.

One significant decision that could impact Harris’ campaign is her choice of a vice presidential candidate. Recent polling from Siena College showed Biden “meaningfully” down in Nevada and Arizona. Levy suggests that a candidate like Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona could bolster Harris’ support in both Arizona and Nevada, making these states more competitive. On the other hand, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is also a strong contender for the vice-presidential spot, given Pennsylvania’s crucial role in the election. Other potential picks include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Levy underscores the importance of this decision, stating, “It’s a major decision. The optics are important.” The choice of vice president could significantly influence voter perceptions and support in critical swing states.

Kamala Harris’ candidacy has already made a significant impact on the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape. Her ability to connect with key voter demographics, leverage social media trends, and focus on critical issues has generated excitement and optimism among Democrats. As the campaign progresses, the strategic focus on battleground states and the selection of a vice-presidential candidate will be pivotal in shaping the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

Harris has a challenging road ahead, but the early signs of enthusiasm and support suggest that she could reenergize the Democratic base and build a strong coalition of voters. The race promises to be close, but Harris’ dynamic approach and focus on key issues could give her the edge needed to secure victory in November.