The political landscape of the 2024 presidential race in the key battleground state Pennsylvania is hinging on the competing narratives spun by Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. While Harris is being accompanied by a former Republican congresswoman in her campaign, Trump was recently seen engaging in trivial pursuits like serving French fries at a closed McDonald’s. As the conclusion on Nov. 5 draws near, their divergent strategies generate a stark contrast and raise interesting questions on the political gamble each camp is taking.
Trump’s campaign strategy notably seems devoid of any attempts to reach out to moderate voters, focusing instead on invigorating his base of ardent supporters and luring in low-propensity voters, primarily young men across racial backgrounds. Using provocative language and public displays designed for viral online traction, his team seems committed to rekindling the fervor of his loyal base.
Harris, on the other hand, is resorting to an all-inclusive approach in a bid to sway the remaining undecided voters comprising mostly of moderate, college-educated individuals and women across all races and educational backgrounds. She appears to be keen on winning over Republican women who once aligned with rival Nikki Haley during the GOP primary but now express dissatisfaction with Trump.
Former California senator Harris, who would etch her name in history as the first female president if elected, holds out the peculiar promise of including a Republican in her Cabinet. Her key talking points focus around safeguarding democracy, defending reproductive rights and uplifting the middle class, assertions that seem like thinly veiled attempts to cater to wider sensibilities.
Former President Trump, in contrast, pledges to champion the working class, and in stark contrast to political norms, has vowed a campaign of retribution towards his political rivals, promising a leadership team composed of unwavering loyalists. His strategy leaves one wondering about the erosion of his support base among moderates and suburban women due to his choice of harsh language at rallies, seemingly aimed at Harris, and persistent mentions of ‘enemies within’.
Trump’s campaign has also made headlines via incidents detached from the political environment, including his recent visit to McDonald’s. This peculiar event forms part of an elaborate ruse to raise suspicions around Harris’ previous tenure at the fast-food chain. His schedule boasts appearances in Coachella, California, and at a rally in Madison Square Garden, New York City – locations known to lean Democratic, but which promise significant media coverage and potential traction among swing-state voters.
Harris, supported by an impressive campaign fund, is engaging voters through in-person events, whilst simultaneously deploying an extensive door-to-door campaign, targeted online ads, and a meticulously crafted media strategy to resonate with specific voter groups. Her team seems optimistic about swaying around 10% of voters in battleground states who are either undecided or exhibit wavering support for Trump.
Suburban women with a college education, particularly those identifying as Republican and disconcerted by Trump’s militant oratory, constitute a significant demographic that Harris’ strategists believe could tip the scales in the swing states. Even a minimal shift in voter preference in these states might spell massive electoral repercussions – a fact not lost on the Harris campaign.
Harris’ digital ad campaigns, prominently featuring Trump’s surprising categorization of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection as ‘a day of love,’ underline her team’s determination to sway undecided voters right up until the final minutes of in-person voting. Harris spent a notable part of a recent Monday in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, boosting her campaign alongside Liz Cheney, a former Republican House leader who took a distinct anti-Trump stance following the Jan. 6 event.
Harris’ itinerary includes a forthcoming visit to Houston, where she is set to host an event with women impacted by the state’s complete abortion ban that came into effect following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. This move will be interesting to watch given that it follows her campaigning efforts in Georgia, a state that enacted a controversial abortion ban after six weeks of pregnancy.
In this dramatic showdown, one cannot ignore the distinct strategies embraced by both candidates. Trump seemingly attempts to further entrench an already polarized electorate, using aggressive rhetoric and a focus on his loyal base. In contrast, Harris seems to be playing a more traditional political game, attempting to reach out to a wider demographic with a broad-brush approach.
However, both game plans come with their own risks and rewards. The question remains: will the aggressive embrace of a narrower, more fervent base beat out an over-the-top strategy to court moderates, Republican women, and undecided voters? This intense contest will undoubtedly hinge on the sway of the undecided votes in the crucial swing states, with those voters ultimately determining which path America takes.
As the election speeds to its conclusion, it’s clear that the ultimate determination lies in the hands of the voters of the seven crucial swing states: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina. The political map has remained largely constant, unaffected by the theatrical strategies, shocking language, and dramatic campaign tactics playing out in the 2024 presidential race.