Deadlocked White House Race: Harris and Trump Campaign in Critical Battleground States
The 2024 US presidential race is reaching its final stretch, with candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vying for an edge in the last 23 days before the November 5 election. The battle is intensifying, with both sides targeting key demographics and swing states to sway the outcome.
Harris, the Democratic vice president, has been campaigning in North Carolina, a state hard-hit by a hurricane two weeks ago that left over 235 people dead. In a bid to counter Trump’s claims that federal agencies have been incompetent in their response, Harris is emphasizing the government’s efforts to assist storm victims. Meanwhile, her boss, President Joe Biden, was in Florida, assessing the damage from a recent hurricane and highlighting the federal government’s commitment to rescue and recovery efforts.
Trump, on the other hand, has been focused on his anti-immigration message, pushing his hardline stance on borders and migrants. He has also been critical of the federal disaster response, claiming it has been incompetent. His running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, reinforced this message on ABC’s “This Week,” saying, “It’s to suggest that Americans are feeling left behind by their government, which they are.”
A recent poll by the New York Times/Siena College shows Harris underperforming among some traditionally Democratic voter demographics, including Latino voters. In contrast, Trump is gaining traction among Latino voters, currently earning 37 percent, which is a 19-point margin over Harris’s 56 percent.
Experts warn that Harris’s struggle among Black male voters is a growing concern. House Democrat James Clyburn expressed his concerns, saying, “Yes, I am concerned about Black men staying home or voting for Trump.” This demographic is a crucial section of the Democratic base, and Harris’s inability to connect with them could hinder her chances of winning.
The dueling campaigns have set their sights on Pennsylvania, the biggest swing state prize, for Monday’s events. Meanwhile, Trump will visit Arizona, where he will reinforce his border policies and divisive rhetoric on migrants. Harris has a heavyweight surrogate, Democratic ex-president Bill Clinton, who will campaign in battleground Georgia, speaking at Mount Zion Baptist Church, a historically Black congregation.
As the race enters its homestretch, both sides are pulling out all the stops to sway the outcome. With new polling showing the race is a dead heat, the stakes have never been higher.
