In the wake of questionable comments from President Joe Biden, one might wonder how such comments will impact Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign messaging. Here's how Biden's comments have possibly complicated Harris's campaign strategy just as the election season is heating up.
Key Takeaways
Divisive Rhetoric: Biden recently called some Trump supporters "garbage," a comment that has raised criticism and brought to mind similar divisive comments made during earlier campaigns.
Shift in Media Attention: Biden's comments have taken away the spotlight from Harris's policy initiative and complicated her message further.
Strategy Impact on Campaign: Harris must tread through these comments with caution, as that, apparently, keeps the attention on her message now, with closer scrutiny.
Biden Undermining Kamala: The Latest Remarks and Repercussions
Comments that President Joe Biden made recently, referring to some supporters of former President Donald Trump as "garbage," have raised a furor among Republicans and concerned Democrats. The language mirrored the phrasing Hillary Clinton used to describe some Trump supporters as part of a "basket of deplorables," handing a gift to Trump's supporters and further complicating efforts by Vice President Kamala Harris in her outreach as she seeks to stay focused on her message centered around policy.
Biden's "Garbage" Comment and Immediate Backlash
Speaking via video to the progressive group Voto Latino, Biden responded to rhetoric at a Trump rally when comedian Tony Hinchcliffe reportedly referred to Puerto Rico in derogatory terms. Biden shot back, "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters," which quickly became the source of his nearly week-long controversy. Republicans jumped on the similarity to the infamous "deplorables" comment and the blowback was strongly political.
Biden's campaign quickly attempted to walk it back, insisting he was only referring to the rhetoric of one supporter, not the entire Trump base. But the reaction had already begun. Trump's campaign seized on the moment, sending out rallying cries and fundraising emails that reinforced the perceived slight on his supporters.
This unexpected furor has pulled attention from Harris's candidacy and put the focus on Biden's unscripted remark. According to analysts, such language could turn off voters and has created more problems for Harris in trying to attract a wider audience.
The "Lock Him Up" Remark and Its Aftermath
Another eyebrow-raising incident happened during Biden's New Hampshire appearance, in which he said, "we gotta lock [Trump] up." Catching his breath, Biden did clarify he meant wanting to "lock up" Trump politically, but the utterance was another gift to the GOP and threw the conversation away from policy issues that Harris is trying to make the centerpiece of her campaign.
The team of Harris has been trying to portray her as a sober candidate willing to take up the most sensitive issues of the country, but Biden's comments run the risk of reframing the narrative about the administration's combativeness.
Strategy for Harris
As Biden's comments continue to headline news, the Harris campaign has extra struggles with keeping a grip on how her message is framed. Harris has struggled hard to drive home a message of inclusion and practicality, but Biden's continuous comments spur news that circles back to Trump, which could steal valuable space from Harris's voice in her campaign.
With such polarization in politics, how Biden's remarks could influence voter perception is still a moot question. As Harris struggles to make her way through such complications, experts say that perhaps the best way is to stay focused on policy and hence keep her platform away from Biden's polarizing language.
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