In light of Donald Trump’s win, it’s important to look back on the past election season to review Harris’s campaign. Some tactics proved to be successful, yet these campaign strategies were not impactful enough to win her the electoral college.
On Jul. 21, when President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Harris was thrown onto the trail in a whirlwind. The following months were filled with an aggressive strategy to build her persona, celebrity endorsements and historical advancements in the race.
Strategy
According to the Harris-Walz campaign, key issues focused on building an opportunity economy, protecting reproductive freedoms and making communities safer from gun violence.
In terms of merchandise, the campaign went viral for a trucker hat. The design pokes fun at hunting gear, a traditionally Republican design: A camo hunting hat with bold, orange lettering. Harris sold over 250,000 in its first 24 hours of its release.
On some occasions, Harris has made use of Trump’s mistakes on the trail. At a Trump rally, Tony Hinchcliffe joked that Puerto Rico is an “island of garbage.” Following this comment, the Harris campaign immediately jumped on this mistake.
“I have long been committed to Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people. Together, let’s build a better future for both,” Harris wrote on X.
Much similar to her opponent, Harris has also used the podcast strategy to gain voters. Most of her media appearances have targeted more female-focused audiences. Harris went on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. She also went on Oprah and The View. This media strategy allows her to put out a more friendly persona in public compared to traditional, more rigid press interviews. In the beginning of her campaign, many criticized her for her lack of interviews.
Memorable Moments
On Nov. 2, Harris made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live, just a few days before the election. In the cold open skit, Maya Rudolph plays Harris in her traditional pantsuit and heads over to a mirror to give herself a pep talk. However, the mirror is not a real mirror, as when Rudolph sits down, the real Harris is looking back at her. The skit pokes fun at her (as most SNL skits do), with Harris asking, “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?”
Following her appearance, NBC filed a notice with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for equal time after backlash from FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr.
Many have cited the presidential debate and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) as two key moments for Harris. At the DNC, Harris officially accepted the nomination for president and was given a platform to speak to the American people uninterrupted.
“I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America. With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past,” Harris said.
Most Notable Endorsements
Throughout her campaign, Harris has gained a lot of endorsements, specifically from Hollywood celebrities. On Oct. 25, Beyoncé spoke in Houston, Texas at a rally. Beyoncé didn’t sing at the rally, instead, she only spoke, leaving some fans disappointed in her lack of performance.
“I’m here as a mother … Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations … We must vote, and we need you,” Beyoncé said.
Additionally, Taylor Swift endorsed Harris in an Instagram post on Sept. 10. This post was published just after the first, and only, presidential debate between the two current candidates.
“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight … I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election … I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote.
In her post, Swift also touched on how she became aware of an AI-generated video of her endorsing Trump, voicing her fear of misinformation. Other endorsements include Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Lady Gaga. It’s difficult to tell how much influence celebrities have on the election, but outside support from people with a large following does help.
