Despite the polls that showed Donald Trump and Kamala Harris close, very close indeed, Kamala Harris’s defeat in the US presidential elections on 5 November 2024 was a resounding defeat. The tycoon got many more votes than predictions predicted, he won all the key states, and what’s more the left also lost the Senate. In light of this sensational result, many are wondering what the mistakes of Kamala Harris and her staff were. Starting from CNN. The oversights, experts say, were many, from entering the field to take over from Joe Biden who started out as the outgoing candidate (and clearly not destined for re-election) to the choice not to deviate from him in anything, avoiding any line of discontinuity which instead could perhaps have yielded something, from having focused on personalities from the world of music and entertainment (two above all, Taylor Swift and Julia Roberts) to having called Trump a fascist. Finally, and perhaps the most serious thing, Harris would not have listened to the “guts” of the Americans.
Among the errors that analysts attribute to Harris’ race there is first of all the cumbersome presence of Joe Biden, who after a disastrous electoral campaign decided to withdraw last July and was overwhelmed by criticism for an objective inability to face the fierce rival Donald Trump. Kamala Harris, who was his deputy in the previous mandate (but always remained in the shadows, without ever particularly highlighting herself or making herself known to the Americans), announced her entry into the field a few minutes later. But was it far-sighted to present oneself completely in continuity with a candidate who was already doomed? Maybe not. If taking the field was a gamble (and many had advised Kamala against it, even more so in light of the debacle that the Dems had put together in the 2022 midterms, with the loss of control of the Chamber), perhaps it was even more having chosen to remain in the path traced by Biden without any distancing or choice of discontinuity from his policy which had not convinced the Americans was serious.
Two weeks before the vote, Kamala Harris was asked on television what she would have done differently in Biden’s four years in office. “There’s not a single thing that comes to mind,” Harris responded. A serious mistake, according to political analysts. Among the experts who are making assessments of the defeat in these hours, the fact is also highlighted that the Democratic candidate had a less than harmonious staff and entourage behind her, in which executives and managers loyal to Biden coexisted (confirmed on trust, in an urgent situation and without much room for maneuver) and other assistants and figures of his. There were disagreements and different points of view. The platform around her didn’t take on a clear line and that didn’t help. Even choosing number two Tim Walz would have been a mistake, or at least a questionable decision. First of all because it arrived too late: Walz entered the race on August 6, the Americans didn’t have time to get to know him. And then also for another reason: among the possibilities there was that of assigning the role of deputy to the governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro, a very popular character who could have led Harris to triumph in the key state which has 19 major electors. Many had told her to focus on him, for his charisma as well as his popularity (he had been identified as ‘the new Obama’).
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**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Lisa Hartman, on Kamala Harris’s Defeat in the 2024 Election**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Hartman. With Kamala Harris’s recent loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, many are analyzing what went wrong. What do you think were the key factors in her defeat?
**Dr. Hartman**: Thank you for having me. There were several critical factors that contributed to Kamala Harris’s defeat, and I’d say the most significant was her association with the Biden administration. While continuity can be advantageous, the unpopularity of President Biden’s policies may have overshadowed her campaign. Many voters were looking for a fresh approach, and Harris failed to present herself as a departure from Biden’s strategies.
**Interviewer**: Interesting point. Some analysts have also criticized her campaign strategy. What specific strategies do you think backfired for her?
**Dr. Hartman**: Well, one major misstep was Harris’s choice to heavily rely on celebrity endorsements from figures like Taylor Swift and Julia Roberts. While they have significant influence, many voters wanted substantive policy discussions rather than a celebrity-led campaign. Additionally, her rhetoric, particularly labeling Trump as a fascist, may have alienated moderate voters who were undecided.
**Interviewer**: It seems there was a disconnect between Harris and the electorate. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Hartman**: Absolutely. It appears that Harris did not fully grasp the sentiments and concerns of the average American. Experts suggest she neglected to listen to what Americans were really feeling, which was especially vital given the economic troubles and social issues facing voters. A more empathetic approach could have resonated better and perhaps swayed key demographics.
**Interviewer**: That’s a compelling analysis. In light of this defeat, what do you think the Democratic Party needs to do moving forward?
**Dr. Hartman**: The Democratic Party needs to take a hard look at its messaging and strategies. They must connect more deeply with the electorate and address the issues that matter most to them—especially in battleground states. A clearer distinction from past leadership might be necessary, along with a renewed focus on policies that address the everyday challenges voters face.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Hartman, for your insights. It’s clear that the road ahead for the Democratic Party involves some serious introspection and change.
**Dr. Hartman**: Thank you for having me. It will be interesting to see how they respond to this defeat and what strategies they choose to adopt in the future.
