Swinging Pitch

Republicans are recalibrating their campaign to counter Harris

- K.C. SINGH

THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE on June 27 between Joe Biden and Donald Trump triggered events, which in 30 days completely metamorphosed the race. Biden’s withdrawal from the contest on July 21, soon thereafter endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, has set off a 100-day sprint to the November 5 election.

Harris moved quickly to garner the support of a majority of the 3,936 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22. The Democratic Party began radiating enthusiasm as its base stirred in support. The surge in contributions, from mostly new donors, reflected revived morale. Rushing to her first public meeting in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Harris tried to capture the public narrative before the expected Republican counter attack. She targeted Trump and outlined her futuristic vision as against his antediluvian rhetoric.

Biden’s self-sacrifice shifted the public narrative from his disabilities and the attempted assassination of Trump on July 13, to the new reality of a younger, feminine and coloured candidate. Subsequent polls showed the gap between Trump and Harris narrowing considerably. Whether this trend will continue or falter after Trump’s retaliatory response remains uncertain.