The performance of Kamala Harris among Black and Hispanic electorate is currently under the spotlight. An analysis of data from a recent poll revealed that compared to Joe Biden’s performance in the 2020 elections, Harris won less Hispanic and Black voters. The poll conducted by The New York Times/Siena showed Harris has received support from 57% of Hispanic voters, compared to 63% won by Biden and a 15% decrease among the Black voting community.
A perspective presented in The New York Times has linked this electoral tremor to an issue often discussed – the topic of identity politics. This perspective brings forward the idea that a potential miscalculation of the diverse American electorate, particularly when it comes to discussions around race and ethnicity, could be impacting the Democratic Party’s position.
A general assumption is believed to prevail within the Democratic party – the idea that voters of color form a solid block and that acts reflecting their ‘racial identity’ can ensure their vote. An apt example is the appointment of a Black woman, Ketanji Brown Jackson, to the Supreme Court in 2022, perceived to be a racially acknowledging gesture.
According to this assumption, voters of color are expected to enthusiastically support all progressive measures that touch on any issues related to race. The Democratic Party might be oversimplifying the complex field of race-related politics by failing to recognize that a diverse range of issues including crime and undocumented immigration can be of significant concern to nonwhite voters.
As part of this narrative, the Biden administration has been accused of heightening the impact by implementing immigration policies at the U.S.-Mexico border that have led to an increased number of entrants into the US. There is an implied understanding that the Democratic Party appreciates concerns of Black voters about crime, given their presidential nominee is a Black woman with a substantial background in prosecution.
Kamala Harris herself, who served nearly three decades as a prosecutor and authored a text on the vitality of crime reduction, seemingly symbolizes this understanding. Yet, Biden’s focus has been seen to skew towards bolstering police funding rather than exploring criminal justice reforms, a perspective echoing throughout the critique.
Primarily, the critique seems to center around policies pertaining to immigration, particularly those encouraging greater numbers of people to seek asylum by border crossing at the U.S.-Mexico frontier. The increase in such attempts began during the Trump era and has sustained a high level into the Biden administration.
Many people see the surge in illegal border crossing attempts as a burden on the systems designed to handle them, and the situation is commonly viewed as a crisis by a majority of the populace. However, it is crucial to note that Biden’s approach to border management is not entirely lenient.
Far from being complacent, the Biden administration implemented robust measures against illegal crossings, including the continuation of a COVID-era policy, Title 42, from the Trump regime. Biden’s administration also launched fresh policies intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of border management.
The administration developed a program to accommodate refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan, and created a reward system for individuals who follow law-abiding procedures for residence applications from their home countries, instead of unauthorized entry via Mexico.
The Democratic Party’s stance on immigration is largely pro-immigrant, which seems to resonate with voters supportive of evolving, multiracial democratic principles. In general, voters tend to endorse inclusiveness, humane treatment, and an orderly process.
This approach, however, is fluid, and voter preference may shift depending on which political party is at the helm. The majority of voters seem to both favor the deportation of illegal immigrants and the provision of a pathway for their eventual legal citizenship.
Striking a balance between these seemingly dichotomous stances is key. It is crucial for Democrats to portray their commitment to evolving, diverse democracy, all while maintaining public order and confidence in an effective immigration system.
To summarise, the shifts in Kamala Harris’s support base may reflect these complexities. The Democratic Party’s stance on race and immigration may oversimplify the varied interests within their diverse supporter base.
The challenge ahead for the Democrats is to refine their understanding of the American electorate. A more nuanced approach to identity politics that truly echoes the concerns, aspirations, and diversity of voters of color can help craft a more meaningful and resonant electoral narrative.