On climate, immigration, and Israel’s war on Gaza, Kamala Harris ran to the right — alienating voters.

Unlike 2016, when his victory over Hillary Clinton came as a shock to many Americans, Trump was no surprise in 2024. The Democratic Party had the benefit of four years to ensure that this would not happen again. Yet as in 2016, Democrats appear to have failed to win over the electorate in a race against a uniquely unpopular candidate — this time one with multiple impeachments, indictments, and criminal convictions.

The short-lived Biden campaign and subsequent Harris campaign opted to try to beat Republicans at their own game, by tacking rightward on issues such as immigration, criminal justice, and climate. After President Joe Biden dropped out, the Democratic Party rejected calls to stop providing arms to Israel’s war on Gaza. Instead, Harris touted the endorsements of conservatives such as Liz Cheney. The strategy was a ploy to woo moderates and conservatives wary of a second Trump term, but it may have alienated key voting blocs.

  • UsernameHere@lemmy.world
    106·
    2 months ago

    I don’t buy this. In Nebraska there was an election between an independent union leader and a career politician. The union leader lost.

    The consensus seems to be that people that voted democrat in 2020 voted republican this time because they experienced inflation under Biden that think it was his fault.

    • AmidFuror@fedia.io
      9·
      2 months ago

      All the polls suggest it was driven by the economy. Inflation is quite moderate right now, but the prices stay high, so that’s got to be on everyone’s mind.

      People around here think it’s all manner of things except what voters are actually saying.