Silver wrote that Harris “blew one massive alternative to tack to the middle along with her choice of [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz somewhat than [Pennsylvania Gov.] Josh Shapiro.” He argued that Shapiro, whose management in Pennsylvania is well-regarded, would have been a extra strategic option to attraction to average voters, regardless of backlash from far-left Democrats over Shapiro’s pro-Israel stance. “A tiny minority of progressives objected to Shapiro,” Silver famous, including that “was an argument in Shapiro’s favor, if something.”
Polls mirror a broader situation for Harris, with a New York Occasions/Siena School ballot displaying 47% of probably voters viewing her as too liberal, a notion tied to her 2020 presidential marketing campaign. Silver commented on this, saying, “[Harris] is a extra proficient politician than she confirmed in 2019, and it’s a disgrace that her marketing campaign that yr was run by individuals who seemingly thought Elizabeth Warren was a right-winger.”
Silver’s evaluation additionally highlighted Harris’ struggles with white voters with out faculty levels, rural voters, and older voters—key demographics in swing states like Pennsylvania. “Harris is faring poorly amongst white voters with out faculty levels, rural voters, and older voters: the kinds of voters who’re plentiful in Blue Wall states like Pennsylvania,” Silver warned.
As Harris prepares for her first debate towards Donald Trump in Philadelphia, Silver prompt the polling outcomes must be a wake-up name. “She ought to marketing campaign like she’s two factors behind — as a result of if the Occasions ballot is true, she is,” he wrote.
With Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes essential to figuring out the election, Harris’ missed alternative in choosing a operating mate could have vital penalties because the race unfolds.
