Democrats are privately worried about whether Vice President Kamala Harris can marshal the votes of white working-class voters, a demographic that is crucial to securing victory in November's election.
According to New reports Democrats have publicly expressed confidence, but behind closed doors, officials and allies worry they could be shattering the Blue Wall that former President Donald Trump tore down eight years ago, according to Politico.
“Frankly, Trump has a strong working-class base that supports his message,” Jimmy Williams, president of the International Painters and Allied Workers Union, told Politico.
“It's something that moves, it's moving, but the tide hasn't turned,” he said.
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Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump speaks at a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Uniondale, New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The new concerns came after the Teamsters union decided last week to withhold its support for Harris after an internal survey showed high favorability ratings for Trump among respondents.
Democrats told Politico that Trump may unexpectedly garner strong support among union members, especially men, and that Harris must work harder to win over white working-class voters, who make up a large portion of the Rust Belt electorate.
A union official who supports Harris and spoke to Politico on condition of anonymity said the poll was a “red flag” for Democrats and reminiscent of 2016, when Hillary Clinton underperformed among union households.
“To be honest, I can't help but think of HRC. It may be wrong beneath the surface,” the official said. “I hope that's not the case.”
Battleground state Democrats also argued that Harris had not done enough to criticize Trump's past comments on issues important to older voters, such as Social Security and Medicare.
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Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Leadership Conference at the Ronald Reagan Building, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“I'm worried about her. [seniors]”… First of all, I don't think they know who she is,” one anonymous Pennsylvania Democratic elected official told Politico. “She should get Medicare and Social Security without a hitch.”
Another Democratic elected official in Pennsylvania expressed similar concerns.
“How much do you hear the top candidates talking about it? Almost nothing. They just need to talk about it more,” the official said.
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A New York Times poll conducted on Monday showed Trump leading Harris by five points in Arizona, 50% to 45%, and in Georgia, 49% to 45%, but Harris is closing in on the former president in North Carolina, 49% to 47%.
The Times survey came days after a Fox News national poll showed Harris leading Trump by two points, 50% to 48%, in the White House.
