Bracelets, drones, ads. How Harris is spending campaign cash
Oct 8, 2024
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Maeve Reston, a national political reporter for The Washington Post, discusses Kamala Harris's campaign strategy as it outpaces Donald Trump's in fundraising. She reveals how creative spending, like misting fans and drone shows at rallies, captivates voters. Reston also analyzes the risks Trump faces due to his reliance on super PACs for funding, revealing how this affects his campaign's operational flexibility. The conversation highlights the strategic use of finances in swing states and its importance for voter enthusiasm.
Kamala Harris's campaign is leveraging its significant fundraising advantage to create engaging rally experiences that energize voters and increase enthusiasm.
Trump's dependence on super PACs for ad spending may hinder his campaign's messaging and coordination, potentially affecting voter turnout in critical swing states.
Deep dives
Harris Campaign's Financial Advantage
Kamala Harris's presidential campaign holds a significant financial advantage over Donald Trump's campaign, with recent reports indicating that she has raised more than four times the amount Trump has. This disparity is not merely theoretical; it is evident in the campaign activities and events being organized. For instance, the Harris campaign has utilized its ample resources to create engaging rally experiences, such as featuring DJs to energize attendees and providing cool misting fans for comfort during hot weather. This shows how the financial backing allows her campaign to invest in appealing and memorable ways to connect with voters, which may positively influence voter enthusiasm.
The Impact of Campaign Spending
Despite the disparity in funds, both campaigns are spending strategically across key swing states. Analysts note that Harris has shown a clear focus on states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, while Trump has prioritized others such as North Carolina and Georgia. With the current tight electoral margins, every dollar spent could potentially sway undecided voters. Additionally, there is increasing concern regarding how Trump's reliance on super PACs for support might compromise his campaign's messaging and coordination, potentially impacting voter turnout in crucial areas.
Voter Enthusiasm and Small-Dollar Donations
The fundraising success of Kamala Harris appears to reflect a broader enthusiasm among her supporters compared to Donald Trump, who is experiencing a drop in small-dollar donations. This shift in donor behavior could signal a growing excitement for Harris, especially since many of her donations have come from first-time contributors. In contrast, there's speculation among Republicans that Trump's base might be feeling donor fatigue after years of extensive fundraising campaigns. The upcoming finance reports will provide a clearer picture of these trends and could reveal the extent to which enthusiasm is influencing campaign funding.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign is outraising former president Donald Trump’s by wide margins. And if you go to one of her rallies, you can tell.
Senior political reporter Aaron Blake talks with national political reporter Maeve Reston about how the Harris campaign is spending cash on the campaign trail and on the airwaves in key battleground states. They also look at the risks the Trump campaign might face due to its heavy reliance on outside political groups to bolster ad spending and expand the GOP’s ground game.
Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair.
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