Some Democrats Shun Kamala Harris's Campaign Trail Appearances
Concerns over her speaking style and polling numbers lead some party members to decline the former Vice President's campaign support.
Vice President Kamala Harris has returned to the campaign trail for the midterm elections, but her appearances are not universally welcomed, with some Democrats publicly stating they do not want her assistance. This sentiment stems from concerns over her communication style and her current favorability ratings.
Kansas Senate candidate Adam Hamilton explicitly rejected the idea of a visit from Harris, telling NBC, "No offense to her. But she would not be a help to me. We are a different kind of Democrat . . . I would say please do not come to my state. I do not need you here. You would actually hurt me."
A Democratic operative working on midterm races commented, "It’s good to go to the places where candidates think it will help. But of the possible 2028 candidates, she’s been turned down a lot." Another source, identified as a Republican, noted, "I wouldn’t say she’s a top surrogate. Her polling is atrocious," suggesting that Harris might only be helpful in a limited number of states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Mississippi.
This source further criticized her public speaking, stating, "She’s still giving a word salad answer for everything she’s asked . . . She is probably helpful with African American turnout and that’s probably all she helps with."
During a recent campaign stop in Detroit with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Harris made a remark about what "black people and black birthing people need in order to move themselves forward," which drew criticism and was labeled "word salad" by some observers. El-Sayed's response was reportedly a blank expression. Harris later attempted to connect attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to maternal care, particularly for Black women, but did not offer a detailed explanation.
Harris also addressed the controversy surrounding El-Sayed's past statements on Israel, saying at an NAACP forum, "It’s OK to not be in love with a candidate." Her remarks about the state of Michigan were also perceived by some as lacking substance, reminiscent of previous instances where her speeches have been compiled as examples of meandering responses.
Despite these concerns, Harris currently leads other potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028 in polling averages, although some critics argue this support is soft and largely based on name recognition. A Harvard poll in July showed Harris with a 41% favorability rating compared to 48% unfavorable, a decline from her favorability rating prior to the 2020 election.
Sources indicate that Harris is seeking campaign events where she can be mutually beneficial to a candidate, particularly after a fundraising email she sent to Alaska Senate candidate Rep. Mary Peltola was reportedly rejected.