Janice R. Andrews
Recently, a number of well-known Republicans have expressed disapproval of former President Donald Trump’s current campaign tactics, advising him to change his emphasis from disparaging Vice President Kamala Harris personally to emphasizing her achievements while in office. This counsel is given when Harris gains ground in the contest as a result of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw, making her the Democratic contender for the 2024 presidential race.
McCarthy Issues A Warning Against Undervaluing Harris
Several Republicans, like former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have expressed concern about Trump’s strategy. McCarthy stressed the value of concentrating on Harris’s political track record in a recent appearance with Fox News as opposed to raising concerns about the scale of her campaign events. There will be a race, and the focus of this race must be on merit rather than personalities. Instead of challenging the size of her audiences, start scrutinizing her actions as attorney general with regard to crime! McCarthy offered advice.
McCarthy, who has a tense history with Trump, pointed out that Harris is a great candidate for attack because of her political decisions rather than her character. He pointed out that Trump could be able to recover ground in the election if he maintains his composure and concentrates on the acts of Harris during her time as California’s attorney general and as vice president. “Harris is a perfect person to run against, and Trump needs to capitalize on that,” McCarthy stated.
Navarro Reiterates the Demand for a Campaign Led by Policy
Former Trump advisor Peter Navarro also voiced doubts about the viability of the former president’s present campaign approach. Navarro, who just completed a jail sentence for his role in the January 6 uprising, stressed the importance of Trump focusing on policy disagreements rather than making personal attacks during an interview with Steve Bannon on his War Room podcast.
“The current rally formula is simply not focused enough on the very stark policy differences between Kamala Harris and Trump, which will swing voters in crucial battleground states. Trump needs votes,” Navarro said. He issued a warning, saying that disparaging remarks against Harris had only helped to strengthen her popularity among swing voters—women in especially. Navarro stated, “It’s just a fact of life right now,” highlighting the fact that Trump’s criticisms have not struck a chord with the people he wants to win over.
Message Discipline Should Return, Says Pollster Frank Luntz
Known as the “Nostradamus of pollsters,” seasoned pollster Frank Luntz has been outspoken in his condemnation of Trump’s campaign tactics. Throughout his media appearances, Luntz has issued repeated warnings that Trump has lost his message discipline, which is essential to any campaign that is going to be successful. He said that although Harris is more likely than Trump to connect with voters on a human basis, the campaign should be focused on issues rather than personal qualities.
During a CNN appearance, Luntz stated, “If it’s about attributes, Harris is much more likely to succeed because, quite frankly, people like her more than they like him.” He continued by saying that one of the reasons Trump is having trouble in the election is his incapacity to establish a personal connection with voters. Luntz said, “He has lost touch with the people he needs, and she is in perfect touch.”
The Turning Point for Trump’s Campaign
The rising worries inside Trump’s own party coincide with a pivotal moment in the campaign. Following his victorious presentation at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month—shortly after eluding an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania—Trump emerged as the overwhelming favorite. But ever since Harris replaced Biden as the front-runner, her campaign has gathered considerable steam, with progressive media sites endorsing her.
This change in momentum is reflected in recent polling data. Based on the most recent Real Clear Politics polling average, Harris leads Trump by just half a point. Trump’s situation becomes much more dire according to the betting markets, where Harris is up by 5.8 percentage points.
Trump’s difficulties are further highlighted by a study conducted by the Financial Times and Ross School of Business, which reveals that voters now view Harris as more trustworthy than Trump when it comes to the economy. Since the survey first started monitoring voter mood on the topic over a year ago, this is the first time a Democratic presidential contender has behind Trump on the economy.
Trump is significantly more concerned about the scenario in important battleground states. According to a survey conducted last week by the New York Times and Siena College, Harris is now leading in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. 50% of likely voters in these states said they would probably vote for Harris, compared to 46% who said they would probably vote for Trump.
Apprehensions Among Trump’s Advisors and Donors
Leaders in the party as well as Trump’s backers are worried about his approach. The New York Times reports that following a string of errors, Trump’s principal supporters hoped for a strategic realignment. Nevertheless, Trump apparently went back on his divisive “stop the steal” remarks regarding the 2020 election during a dinner in The Hamptons on August 2, against the urging of his advisors to put the matter behind him.
In a move that might further polarize important voters, Trump recently made the widely refuted accusation that Harris had altered a photo of the audience at her event in Detroit. Republican insiders are frustrated, claiming that Trump is “struggling to get past his anger,” according to individuals who spoke with Axios.
The Way Ahead
With the backing of Melania and Lara Trump, Trump’s campaign is considering ways to pick up steam as the contest gets closer, such as bringing back Kellyanne Conway, his former campaign manager. But as Harris builds on her early victories, the election is far from over, and Trump confronts formidable obstacles.
Once seen to be a certain route to Trump’s reelection in 2024, the election has tightened into a battle. Given that Harris is leading in the polls, Trump has to pay attention to what matters most to voters and accept the advice of his fellow Republicans if he wants to change the tide in his favor.
