Polling expert Frank Luntz recently told California Governor Gavin Newsom on a podcast that he believes former Vice President Kamala Harris will only focus on holding President Donald Trump accountable for his loss in the 2024 election.
A poll conducted after the Harris-Trump debate on September 10 revealed that 63% of registered voters, who viewed the debate, thought Harris came out ahead. According to CNN Flash voting data, Luntz remarked that Harris had the potential to win the 2024 election based on her performance and the considerable funding behind her campaign. However, he pointed out that she made significant missteps in her approach.
Luntz questioned why Trump won by such a large margin, considering modern election dynamics, and highlighted that he secured key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Arizona. He noted a disconnect between the Democratic agenda and voter preferences.
Trump, according to various sources, won all seven swing states and achieved significant referendum support. Luntz asked why, with ample resources and a strong debate performance, Harris still lost. Data from ABC News/IPSOS indicated that while Harris gained 1% post-debate, she was still trailing Trump among registered voters.
“She ultimately lost on her own merit,” Luntz commented, suggesting that it’s essential for candidates to communicate effectively what they stand for and what they can achieve.
He also reflected on how former President Joe Biden had distanced himself from Harris’s handling of the 2021 immigration crisis during their campaign. Luntz urged honesty in politics, sharing that he had predicted Trump’s victory weeks in advance and emphasized that voters deserve to know the truth about campaign failures. He concluded that without acknowledgment of missteps, leaders may not be fit for their roles.
