Donald Trump and his Republican allies have consistently attacked President Joe Biden based on his age, but their enthusiasm waned after Biden dropped from the race and endorsed Kamala Harris, according to a GOP strategist.
Earlier on Sunday, Biden released a statement announcing he would “stand down” from his campaign to focus on completing his term in office. He then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, leading to a surge of donations that one observer described as “off the charts.”
While Trump and Republicans have spent years focusing on controversies like Hunter Biden’s laptop, experts suggest they may find it more challenging to attack Harris with the same fervor. CBS News Congressional Correspondent Scott MacFarlane reported that a Republican strategist expressed disappointment about the unexpected shift in the Democratic ticket.
“GOP strategist Terry Sullivan tells [CBS News] that his fellow GOP operatives are ‘less than enthusiastic,'” MacFarlane wrote. “They’re the dog that caught the car.”
The endorsement of Harris by Biden has shifted the political landscape and forced Republicans to reassess their campaign strategies. Harris, with her background as a former prosecutor and current vice president, presents a different set of challenges for the GOP compared to Biden.
Harris’s campaign received a significant boost from Biden’s endorsement, evidenced by the massive influx of donations. This surge in financial support indicates strong grassroots enthusiasm for her candidacy.
However, Trump and his allies now face the task of developing new lines of attack against Harris. The narrative they have built around Biden’s age and Hunter Biden’s controversies may not resonate as strongly against Harris, who brings a fresh dynamic to the race.
As the campaign progresses, both parties will need to adapt to the changing political landscape. For the GOP, this means finding new strategies to counter Harris’s growing momentum. For the Democrats, it means capitalizing on the renewed energy and support following Biden’s endorsement.
The reaction from Republican operatives reflects the unexpected nature of the endorsement and the resulting strategic challenges. The comparison to a “dog that caught the car” highlights their initial focus on Biden, leaving them somewhat unprepared for Harris’s ascent.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, both candidates will need to navigate a complex political environment. The shift from Biden to Harris as the Democratic nominee introduces new dynamics that will shape the discourse and strategies on both sides. Harris’s entry into the race, bolstered by strong financial and grassroots support, sets the stage for a highly competitive election season.