It's four days before election day in the US, and the Democrats are panicking. That's not unusual. Veteran political observers say that the party is prone to performance anxiety.
The Republicans, on the other hand, seem to be bordering on overconfidence as the big day nears.
The story so far in polls is this: Since mid-September, after generating a surge in enthusiasm by replacing her boss, President Joe Biden, on the ticket, Vice-President Kamala Harris is seeing support cool somewhat.
Her stock in most national and swing state polls has slid a little, while her Republican opponent Donald Trump's has risen by a little, with the two presidential hopefuls now running neck and neck.
As the daughter of Indian and black immigrants, the ambitious, 60-year-old Ms Harris, straddling America's racial and political complexities, has been treading carefully in a contest that pits her against the charismatic 78-year-old former president.
But she unwittingly got sucked into a political maelstrom this week after a controversial comment by the gaffe-prone Mr Biden gave Trump an opening to paint her as elitist.
The brouhaha began when a comedian at Trump's Oct 27 rally in New York called Puerto Rico "a floating island of garbage." This provoked Mr Biden into making a comment where he appeared to criticise Trump supporters as "garbage."
The Republicans pounced on Mr Biden's quotes at once, suggesting that Democratic leaders had a habit of looking down on American voters and drawing parallels with 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's description of Trump supporters as "deplorables."
As outrage mounted, Ms Harris was forced to distance herself.
"Let me be clear," she told reporters on Oct 30. "I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for."
This story is from the November 02, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 02, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Japan's True Blue Tradition
Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
6 easy dishes to pack for lunch
Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".
