Two months ago, Kamala Harris was celebrated as the Democratic nominee at a lively convention in Chicago.

Many Democrats saw her as a fresh hope, replacing President Biden, who is 81 and thought by some to be struggling against Donald Trump.

Despite Harris’s initial boost, Democratic strategists had already warned against being overly confident. Now, as election day approaches, their concerns appear valid.

While Harris’s campaign brought an early wave of support, polls show the race has tightened, with Harris and Trump now almost tied.

BBC reports that her early popularity seemed to come mainly from committed Democrats who had doubts about Biden’s age but are still in favor of the party.

To win, Harris needs to pull in voters beyond loyal Democrats and maintain the coalition that helped Biden win in 2020. But BBC points out that recent polls indicate Trump is gaining ground, especially in the key “blue wall” states — Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

He’s also drawing support from Black and Latino voters, crucial groups for Democrats. These battleground states, critical to Harris’s path to the White House, show polls that are neck-and-neck, and within the margin of error, suggesting the outcome is uncertain.

Recently, Harris’s tone toward Trump has become more severe. BBC notes that while she once laughed him off as “weird” and “unserious,” she now calls him “a fascist” and “unstable.” Originally, her campaign focused on bringing “joy,” but now, it’s become a warning about the dangers of a Trump return.

Winning the popular vote alone won’t guarantee victory for Harris; she needs to secure key states in the electoral college. BBC highlights that Michigan, with a significant Arab-American population, is one of Harris’s challenges.

Some voters in Dearborn, Michigan, for example, are angered by the U.S.’s lack of action to control Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Many have decided to vote against Harris as a way to hold her accountable, BBC reports. Voters like Samraa Luqman, usually a Democrat, said she’s even encouraging others to vote for Trump as a protest.

On the economic front, Pennsylvania voters show a preference for Trump, believing they were better off financially during his presidency.

According to BBC, Pennsylvania is the largest battleground state, and both campaigns are pouring money into advertisements here.

Gene Wool, a voter from Pennsylvania, feels food and gas were cheaper with Trump in office and is leaning toward voting for him, though he has concerns about Trump’s controversies.

Meanwhile, Harris is focusing on appealing to women, especially Republicans in Pennsylvania who are uncomfortable with Trump’s behavior.

BBC explains that Harris’s campaign is targeting this group, even collaborating with moderate Republicans like Liz Cheney, to show that voting for Harris could keep Trump out of office.

In Arizona, a key western state, voters are deciding on a law to protect abortion rights, which Democrats hope will bring more women to vote for Harris.

BBC reveals that Harris hasn’t highlighted the fact that she would be the first female president if elected but instead emphasizes her commitment to women’s reproductive rights.

With Election Day drawing near, it’s clear Harris’s campaign has a tougher battle than initially expected.

The excitement around her nomination has faded, leaving her in a close fight for every vote, facing challenges from voters concerned with both economic issues and social policies.

BBC notes she’s now aiming to break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” that Hillary Clinton once fought against.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce31w8dzepno

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