Vulnerable Democrats distance themselves from Harris as GOP highlights her radical positions
Polling data compiled by Real Clear Politics suggests that Democrats have experienced a burst of enthusiasm ever since Vice President Kamala Harris became their party's presumptive nominee.
Yet as Breitbart pointed out in an article published on Wednesday, Harris' radical record could end up blindsiding some down-ballot candidates.
New ad highlights Harris' extreme positions
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) sought to highlight that record in an advertisement put out late last month which labeled her as a "San Francisco radical."
Meet San Francisco Radical Kamala Harris
Kamala wants to Abolish Ice, Defund the Police, and destroy the American Economy.
Reject San Francisco Radical Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/BQuMYVZafQ
— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) July 25, 2024
The ad begins with video footage showing Harris in a mask as she explains that her pronouns are "she/her." Later, the vice president can be heard voicing support for a ban on plastic straws.
Perhaps most damning are clips in which Harris can be seen talking about illegal immigration and security along America's southern border.
Harris promises healthcare for illegal migrants
In one of them, the vice president states, "We're not gonna treat people who are undocumented who cross borders as criminals."
Another clip has Harris promising healthcare to illegal migrants, saying, "I am opposed to any policy that would deny in our country any human being public health, period."
Meanwhile, a Gallup poll published last month found that 55% of Americans want to see fewer people entering the country, the highest figure seen since 2001.
While that sentiment is strongest among Republicans, the survey found that it is also held by half of independent voters and even 28% of Democrats.
Sens. John Tester and Sherrod Brown distance themself from Harris
Harris' far-left positions could be especially damaging for Democrats like Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, and Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey.
Montana and Ohio are both widely regarded as red states which former President Donald Trump carried by healthy margins in 2020 while Pennsylvania is a swing state that President Joe Biden only narrowly won.
Fox News reported that Brown recently refused to tell CNN if he had any plans to campaign with Harris, telling the network, "I've got my own schedule. She's got her own schedule. I will focus on my race. My strategy is perhaps different from hers."
Meanwhile, Tester has yet to endorse the vice president, saying, "We’ll deal with the presidential race when we have time to do that."