How Kamala Harris can reach Florida's undecided voters
Hopefully Kamala Harris can build a broad coalition that includes the forgotten 7%. She cannot win without them.
The Democrats have energetically consolidated around Vice President Kamala Harris. Even polling in Florida shows viability but still outside the margin of error (Harris Boosts Democrats in FL, The Palm Beach Post, July 30, 2024). Her narrow path to breakthrough is by focusing on the forgotten 7%. These are the Nikki Haley voters, independents, suburban housewives, residual blue collar workers, and center-left democrats in swing states.
The world has drifted toward a “democratic recession,” according to Daniel Drezner in Politico. That means that a narrow liberal-progressive coalition alone cannot win a national election. The Electoral College is weighted toward populist right-wing candidates. Despite the positive vibes and improved polling, the race is almost even-steven. At least President Biden espoused bilateral relations with Republicans. Candidate Harris has eschewed any hint of unity.
The time is now to face voters on issues rather than platitudes. Consider devoting one night to a town hall with a structured dialogue. Include some questions from the previous CNN debate with snippets from President Trump’s comments to add contrast. Invite a few experts for real world context. Admiral James Stravridis on international issues; Steve Rattner with a few economic charts.
What are the issues for the forgotten 7%?
1. Immigration. Even Emma Lazarus (“Give me your tired, your poor…”) would be aghast at 2 million undocumented immigrants each year under Biden. No real explanation. The house is full. What is the plan going forward?
Our view:Editorial: Punitive law hurts employers and immigration
2a. The national debt. It continues to explode. Although the top 1% earners typically manage to have lower tax rates, they still contribute to nearly 50% of federal tax revenue. The Democrats will try to raise taxes on the ultra wealthy. If this is even possible? Why not put this additional revenue exclusively toward lowering the federal debt? Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
2b. The economy and climate. On paper the economy is strong but many things don’t compute. For example, empty shopping malls and office space and a housing shortage. Where is American ingenuity? On climate we need green energy and we need gas and oil. And a secure electric grid.
Our view:Government cooperation, not political propaganda, needed to help those in economic pain
3. The military and cybersecurity. China, Russia, Iran and extremist groups are increasingly coalescing against western civilization. It is truly frightening. Economic sanctions have not stopped India and China from buying cheap gas from Russia and Iran. The Republicans favor isolation and transactional responses. Can a liberal-progressive team secure and build vital alliances in Europe and Asia? We can’t even stop hackers and scammers. Do we have a defense against high tech, silent drones?
4. Anti-Israel protests. Kamala Harris and her progressive supporters have a seething hostility toward Prime Minister Netanyahu (he has made many mistakes), even to the point of seemingly blaming Israel for all the cruelty in Gaza. Meanwhile professional pro-Hamas agitators have duped naïve students and college faculty into burning American flags in Washington, D.C.; just wait until Chicago. These “peaceful protesters” think that the chant “from the river to the sea…” promotes freedom and is not a call for genocide. A full ceasefire with a few hostages released in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and leaving remnants of Hamas in charge is simply not viable. This issue alone could push centrists to the other side.
5. Reproductive health. Republicans have reduced access to abortion and reproductive health in about 30% of the country and are planning on doing more. Centrists support efforts to reverse these retroactive initiatives. But the Democrats shouldn’t rely on this one issue to win in swing states. MAGA has hardcore support.
Our view:Abortion is on the Florida ballot this election. Protect women’s right to choose.
By having an open dialogue on issues, Kamala Harris can gain a broad insight from voters as she formulates new policies going forward. She will also have introduced her running mate. Hopefully she can build a broad coalition that includes the forgotten 7%. She cannot win without them.
Daniel Teres is a resident of Palm Beach Gardens and a retired faculty member of the Tufts University School of Medicine.