As former President Donald Trump continues to ramp up his extremist rhetoric, the pressure is mounting on Vice President Kamala Harris to secure the trust of independent voters, according to an analysis by Stephen Collinson for CNN. Harris faces the critical task of convincing voters, especially those undecided or leaning conservative, that she is a viable alternative to Trump.
“The Republican nominee is escalating the most toxic anti-immigrant rhetoric in modern US history, warning outsiders with ‘bad genes’ have ‘invaded’ the country after falsely claiming that Haitian migrants here legally were eating pets in Ohio,” Collinson wrote.
Collinson highlighted concerns within the Democratic Party, noting that the initial excitement around Harris’ entry into the presidential race, her successful convention in August, and her debate performance, have not yet translated into a commanding lead over Trump.
Despite her efforts, Harris has yet to deliver a message that resonates strongly enough to persuade conservative voters to break from their political party this November. This challenge has prompted prominent Democratic leaders, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, to campaign vigorously on her behalf.
“Trump’s deepening extremism is increasing already massive pressure on Harris,” Collinson observed. He emphasized that these Democratic heavyweights are appealing directly to swing-state voters, especially Black and Latino communities that Harris needs to mobilize, urging them to prevent Trump’s return to power.
The closeness of the race is adding to Democratic anxiety. Although Harris leads in many national polls, the tight margins in key battleground states—such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia—mean the election remains a toss-up.
Collinson noted that Trump is struggling to break past 48% in most polls, potentially indicating that his base of support may have hit a ceiling. Harris, on the other hand, has room to grow, with 10% of voters in a recent NBC News poll indicating they might change their minds before Election Day. Late shifts in support in swing states could prove decisive.
However, Collinson concluded that Democrats still have reason to be unsettled. “Trump—despite his two impeachments, his criminal conviction, and his attempt to destroy democracy to stay in power—is within reach of the presidency again with a more radical agenda than before,” he warned. The stakes for Harris and her campaign are higher than ever as she works to counter Trump’s rhetoric and win over a crucial portion of the electorate in the final stretch of the race.