Gen Z voters largely optimistic about Harris but say she needs to prove herself on the campaign trail
NBCJul 18
Harris Holds First Campaign Rally
Above: Democratic presidential candidate, US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to supporters during a campaign rally at West Allis Central High School on July 23, 2024 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Image copyright: Jim Vondruska/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday — two days after Pres. Joe Biden announced he wouldn't continue to seek re-election — used her first campaign rally to go on the offensive against former Pres. Donald Trump, saying she would put her "record against his any day of the week."
Harris, speaking to a crowd of about 3K people in Wisconsin, also recounted her days as the attorney general of California, prosecuting "perpetrators of all kinds," including "fraudsters," "cheaters," and "predators." She said, "hear me when I say I know Donald Trump's type."
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Harris is wise to come out of the gates by directing her sharpest attacks at Trump and his "Make America Great Again" agenda. Recent elections showed that when Democrats made the risks of a Trump-led MAGA future the centerpiece of their campaign, they won. Harris should also tout her accomplishments and future plans, but staying on offense against Trump is important.
Republican narrative
Democrats may think they've discovered some sort of secret formula for defeating Trump by anointing Harris as their nominee, but the strategy for easily defeating her won't require much work. Trump will just have to highlight Harris' leftist extremism, in addition to her role in so many of the Biden administration's failed policies. She can attack all she wants, but she won't be able to hide from her disastrous record.