Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump aims to convince undecided voters that Vice President Kamala Harris, his potential new opponent, is deeply involved in two key issues he relies on for success in November: immigration and the cost of living. Insiders from the Trump campaign revealed that they plan to portray Harris, the likely Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race on Sunday, as the 'co-pilot' of policies they believe are responsible for voter dissatisfaction on these matters. Biden's abrupt exit and endorsement of Harris has significantly shaken up the race, just a week after Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a campaign event.
Sources informed Reuters that Trump's campaign had been preparing for Harris's potential nomination for weeks, should Biden step down and she secure the party's nomination. 'Harris will be easier to defeat than Joe Biden would have been,' Trump stated to CNN shortly after Biden's announcement. The campaign intends to closely associate her with Biden's immigration policies, which Republicans attribute to the sharp rise in illegal crossings at the southern border with Mexico. The second strategy will focus on the economy, where public polls consistently indicate American discontent with high food and fuel prices and rising interest rates that make home buying less affordable.
'She's the co-pilot of the Biden vision,' commented a Trump advisor on the condition of anonymity during the recent Republican National Convention, where Trump was officially nominated. 'If they want to switch to Biden 2.0 with 'Cackling' Kamala at the helm, we're ready,' the advisor added, echoing a derogatory term the campaign has been using for weeks to describe the vice president's laughter.
Make America Great Again Inc, a super PAC supporting Trump, announced on Sunday that it would replace anti-Biden TV ads in key states with ads attacking Harris. The 30-second ad accuses Harris of concealing Biden's health issues from the public and blames her for the administration's failings, including a 'border invasion' and runaway inflation. Trump, known for his provocative language, previewed the insults he plans to use against Harris at a rally in Michigan, calling her 'laughing Kamala' and describing her as 'crazy' and 'nuts'.
The Democratic Party has not yet decided its next steps, and there is no certainty that Harris will become the nominee despite Biden's endorsement. If Harris does become the Democratic nominee, it could introduce new dynamics into the race, creating a stark generational and cultural contrast with Trump. Political strategists suggest that Harris, as a 59-year-old Black and Asian-American woman, could energize younger voters and people of color, groups that were less engaged under Biden. However, her close association with Biden could also hinder her campaign, as some view her as not representing the change America seeks.
