In a significant national political development, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign anticipates that former President Donald Trump will prematurely declare victory on election night, regardless of the actual results, as revealed by a senior campaign official during an informative call with reporters on Friday.
The senior official for the Democratic presidential campaign expressed concerns that Trump, the Republican candidate, would likely replicate his controversial behavior from the 2020 election by alleging he won, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding votes from critical battleground states.
“This should be no surprise, because he lies all the time and he wants to sow doubt about a loss that he anticipates is coming,” the senior official stated, reinforcing the notion that Trump’s previous attempts to undermine election outcomes were met with failure. “He did this before. It failed.”
The caution from the Harris campaign echoed a series of warnings issued by Democrats and various democracy advocacy groups on Friday, emphasizing the potential for a tumultuous post-election environment.
Anti-Trump election lawyers and strategists articulated their readiness to address a barrage of anticipated “illegitimate” lawsuits from Trump’s allies should he face defeat in the upcoming presidential election. “The pre-election election-denial litigation tsunami has begun,” asserted Norm Eisen, a prominent election lawyer who previously served as co-counsel for House Judiciary Committee Democrats during Trump’s first impeachment.
Eisen was among several legal experts who participated in a Friday panel organized by Defend Democracy, a super PAC established by Democratic strategists dedicated to enhancing the party’s legal maneuvers concerning election protection and potential legal disputes that may arise after Election Day.
The senior Harris official emphasized the campaign’s preparedness by indicating that they have mobilized hundreds of lawyers across the nation and specifically in battleground states to confront any Republican-led legal challenges. “We have literally thousands of pages of pleadings customized to particular states ready, ready to address literally anything and everything that the Trump campaign throws at us,” affirmed the senior official, showcasing the campaign’s robust legal strategy.
Interference, investigations underway
Election experts highlighted serious concerns regarding misinformation, potential violence, and evident attempts to disrupt voting during a panel discussion hosted by the Democracy Communications Collaborative, a think tank focused on democracy issues, alongside Issue One, a bipartisan political reform organization.
In Colorado, a criminal investigation is underway following the submission of a dozen fraudulent ballots in Mesa County. Meanwhile, alarming incidents of vandalism have been reported, including ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington being damaged and set ablaze. Equally concerning, an 18-year-old was arrested in Florida for brandishing a machete near an early voting site and intimidating potential Democratic voters, according to local law enforcement reports.
Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert and CEO of the American Sunlight Project, expressed her concerns regarding the heightened activities of foreign actors amid existing societal grievances, indicating that the “safeguards have fallen off when it comes to disinformation” on major social media platforms. “Elon Musk’s purchase of X has made the platform a veritable firehose of election disinformation,” she further commented, reflecting the discontent surrounding the current state of social media governance.
Harris camp cites strong internal polls
Despite public opinion polls suggesting a tightly contested race, senior officials within the Harris campaign have voiced confidence that Vice President Harris is effectively resonating with undecided voters, based on encouraging internal polling data. “Our internal data is telling us and showing us that we are winning battleground voters who have made up their minds in the last week, and we’re winning them by double-digit margins,” asserted a senior campaign official.
The senior Harris campaign official pointed to a focus group comprising undecided voters, indicating that the remarks made at Trump’s weekend rally at Madison Square Garden significantly clarified their perspectives on the election. “The comments from speakers really crystallized for them the choice in their minds between the vice president, who they are seeing talk about being a president for everyone, and Trump’s dark, divisive language,” the official noted, emphasizing the impact of the rally’s tone.
Final weekend events
As Election Day approaches, both campaigns are concentrating their efforts in key swing states. Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday, while his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, is set to address supporters in Las Vegas and Scottsdale, Arizona, throughout the day.
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will also make an appearance in Arizona on Saturday, delivering remarks in Flagstaff before heading to Tucson for another rally. Meanwhile, Harris will engage with voters in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina.
On Sunday, Harris will conduct a rally in East Lansing, Michigan, where she aims to motivate college students at Michigan State University to participate in the electoral process. Trump, in turn, will address audiences in Lititz, Pennsylvania, before concluding the day with a rally in Macon, Georgia.
Both candidates will wrap up their campaigns with final stops in Pennsylvania, an essential state in the upcoming election.
**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Laura Thompson**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. We’ve seen significant developments regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and its expectations surrounding former President Donald Trump’s actions on election night. What are your thoughts on the claims made by the Harris campaign that Trump may prematurely declare victory?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. The concerns raised by the Harris campaign are grounded in Trump’s past behavior during the 2020 election. His tendency to declare victory despite reality was a significant issue then and may resurface now. This isn’t just speculation; it’s a strategy that could disrupt the electoral process and create more instability.
**Editor:** The campaign has prepared a substantial legal strategy to counter potential post-election challenges from Trump’s camp. How effective do you think this approach will be?
**Dr. Thompson:** The proactive steps taken by the Harris campaign, such as mobilizing hundreds of lawyers, indicate they’re aware of the challenges that lie ahead. A well-organized legal framework can be essential in confronting any frivolous lawsuits that Trump and his allies might pursue. The effectiveness of this strategy will depend on their ability to respond quickly to any legal maneuvering.
**Editor:** There are also concerns about misinformation, potential violence, and voter intimidation. How do these factors play a role in shaping the election landscape?
**Dr. Thompson:** Misinformation is a significant threat, especially with platforms like X acting as conduits for false narratives. When misinformation spreads, it has the potential to erode public trust in the electoral process. Together with incidents of voter intimidation and violence, these elements create a climate of fear and uncertainty that could discourage voter turnout and skew results.
**Editor:** The Harris camp has claimed confidence based on their internal polling data. How crucial is this internal polling compared to public opinion polls during an election?
**Dr. Thompson:** Internal polling can provide insights into specific demographics and voter concerns that public polls might miss. However, it’s important to approach internal numbers with caution, as they can sometimes reflect the campaign’s optimism rather than the broader electoral reality. Still, if the Harris campaign is seeing positive trends among undecided voters, that could be encouraging news for them as they head into the final stretch of the campaign.
**Editor:** As we approach election day, what should voters keep in mind regarding these developments?
**Dr. Thompson:** Voters should stay informed about credible information sources and be aware of potential attempts to sow doubt about the election process. It’s crucial to be vigilant about misinformation and to understand that the post-election landscape may be tumultuous. Engaging with the electoral process, remaining patient regarding results, and reporting any intimidation or violence will help safeguard democracy during this critical time.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your insights into these pressing issues facing the upcoming election.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment for American democracy, and it’s essential for everyone to participate responsibly.
