Insights from a Democratic Volunteer: Kamala Harris’s Presidential Campaign

A former volunteer on Kamala Harris’s Democratic team shared their experiences in an op-ed published in The Guardian. The volunteer communicated the difficulties in disproving narratives put forward by Trump’s team, even when they were false. They also raised concerns about gender biases, as some Americans expressed they were not ready for a woman president.

Economically-Focused Voters

The volunteer encountered voters primarily focused on the economy. Despite a growing economy and falling unemployment, these voters were not necessarily swayed to vote for Harris. The Trump team had effectively countered this narrative, emphasizing day-to-day inflation over nationwide wage increases. Conversations with small business owners revealed their concerns about the price of everyday goods like gas and bread. While Democrats tried to highlight higher average wages and historically low unemployment, voters seemed to believe Trump’s narrative more often than that of Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz.

Voters’ Perception of Harris

The next group of voters was particularly focused on Harris as the nominee. While many voters admired her, others labeled her as “communist,” “clueless,” and accused her of unjustly incarcerating black men. Some voters expressed that they were not familiar with Harris and her political positions, indicating that an open primary process could have given her a better chance to distinguish herself from Biden.

The Role of Gender

Gender played a significant role in voters’ perceptions. The volunteer noted that many voters, including women, expressed that they did not believe “America is ready for a woman president”. These voters could not envision a woman leading the country, with one even stating that women do not build skyscrapers. These comments were not always made in jest; for many, it was a line they could not cross.

The Influence of Trump

In the end, the volunteer believes that the main reason for Harris’s loss was Trump’s overpowering presence. Despite his controversial views on women and democracy, and even an insurgency, voters seemed to overlook these issues. The lack of interest in policy issues such as stricter taxes on billionaires or Israel’s actions in Gaza further highlighted Trump’s influence. The conclusion drawn is that, contrary to the belief that Harris was not left-leaning enough, the majority of the country voted for a completely different direction.