Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times, dives into how Vice President Kamala Harris is shaking up the 2024 presidential race. He discusses her impressive lead over Donald Trump in key battleground states and her appeal to Black and young voters. The conversation highlights her strategic messaging, voter dynamics, and the challenges facing Trump's campaign. Cohn also examines Harris's potential vulnerabilities and the difficulties for Trump in crafting a counter-narrative as the electoral landscape continues to shift.
Kamala Harris's emergence as a candidate has reshaped the political landscape, enabling her to lead Trump in vital battleground states.
Her recent popularity surge is driven by strong support from traditional Democratic demographics that Biden struggled to unite, particularly young and black voters.
Deep dives
Harris's Impact on the 2024 Presidential Race
The entry of Kamala Harris into the 2024 presidential race has significantly altered the political landscape, particularly in key battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Polls indicate that Harris leads Donald Trump by a four-point margin in these states, which are critical for electoral success. Prior to her nomination, these states had shown Trump leading, demonstrating a notable shift in voter support since Harris has emerged as a new candidate. This change illustrates her potential as a game changer in the Democratic campaign, distancing herself from Joe Biden’s unfavorable ratings, and engaging voters who were previously disengaged from the race.
Demographic Support for Harris
Kamala Harris's recent popularity surge can be attributed largely to her strong backing from traditional Democratic voter demographics that Joe Biden struggled to unite. For instance, Harris enjoys overwhelming support from black voters, leading with 81% approval compared to Trump's 13%. Additionally, she has garnered significant favor among young voters aged 18 to 29, outperforming Biden in these crucial groups. This newfound coalition of support not only solidifies her lead in critical states but also indicates a potential for broader appeal as the campaign progresses.
Harris's Perceived Popularity and Future Challenges
Harris's rising popularity is grounded in favorable public perceptions, with voters viewing her as intelligent, honest, and caring. However, this support hinges on the current political climate where she is perceived as a fresh alternative to both Trump and the recently unpopular Biden. Looking ahead, there is a risk that Harris could lose this advantageous position if she fails to define herself distinctly or if the Trump campaign successfully challenges her image. As the election approaches, it's crucial for Harris to maintain her appeal while navigating the inevitable scrutiny that comes with being a named candidate.
New polls by The New York Times and Siena College find that Vice President Kamala Harris has transformed the 2024 presidential race and is now leading former President Donald J. Trump in three crucial battleground states.
Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The Times, explains why Ms. Harris is benefiting so much.
Guest: Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode