Interest among Democrats in the presidential race is picking up, particularly as Donald Trump’s approval ratings dive to alarming lows. In a recent national poll of registered voters, his overall approval sits eleven points below water, as reported by a survey from the New York Times. The feedback on his performance has been largely negative across various issues, with crime being the sole exception.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been making headlines lately, but now it’s Vice President Kamala Harris’s turn to step into the media limelight as the autumn season kicks in. Newsom has often found himself basking in attention, while Harris is vying for space amid ongoing discussions about the government shutdown. This scenario might echo her previous presidential campaign, where she faced the challenge of rallying support against an unpopular incumbent, President Biden.
The title of Harris’s book, which highlights the 107 days she spent in the race as a Democratic candidate, seems a bit, well, constrained. It’s hard to imagine those few months being enough time for anyone to mount a serious campaign for the nation’s highest office. Despite the quick turnover, she didn’t manage to carve a distinct path. Many voters were frustrated with inflation, yet she didn’t make a clear break from Biden’s policies.
In her notable appearance on “The View,” Harris stated she wouldn’t take a different approach than Biden. Now, she has some breathing room to strategize for the 2028 race.
However, it appears her critiques in the book are aimed more at settling scores than outlining her own vision. She has voiced concerns about Biden not consulting her regarding his reelection bid, while also pointing fingers at figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for not offering her support when she needed it. Harris has yet to expand on her ideas for progressive policies essential for the party in the future, particularly regarding education. If she wants to resonate with voters in the next election cycle, she might need to step it up.
The Democratic nomination landscape in past cycles has seen battles between pragmatists like Hillary Clinton and Biden versus idealists like Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). As Trump’s popularity wanes, there’s a pressing desire to end the Trump era and nominate a “safe” Democrat capable of confronting authoritarianism. In the past, the Oakland Raiders embodied a mindset with their motto “Just Win, Baby.” However, today’s younger voter base, along with a pressing need to tackle pressing issues, might pave the way for more aspirational candidates to emerge.
Harris still has a chance to escape Biden’s shadow and pursue her unique vision. However, tough decisions loom, especially concerning a comprehensive national health plan amid rising healthcare costs—an urgent issue for families ahead of the 2028 election. Democratic leaders are currently emphasizing medical inflation as a pivotal concern amid the government shutdown debates.
Voters are understandably worried about rising healthcare costs, which has fueled Sanders’s strong challenge to the party establishment. Nowadays, medical expenses weigh heavier on people’s minds than before, making healthcare a critical topic for the 2028 race. Advocating for Universal Healthcare could potentially propel idealistic candidates like New York State Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez into the spotlight in the upcoming Democratic primaries. Though, of course, there’s always the potential for another candidate to emerge and seize the narrative.
Finding solutions to the multifaceted issues our nation faces is no small feat. For Harris to position herself as a serious candidate and visionary leader, she’ll need to tackle these challenges head-on.
