GOP revs up political attacks on Harris
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Vice President Kamala Harris in Las Vegas in April 2024. Photo: K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris has become subject to increasing Republican political attacks and mentions on social media as speculation mounts that she could replace President Biden on the Democratic ticket this fall.
Why it matters: The uptick in swipes at the vice president indicate that Republicans believe Biden may not remain in the 2024 presidential race and that Harris is in the best position to assume the Democrat nomination should Biden bow out.
- Biden stated this week he's "in it to win it" in November as he faces growing calls within the Democratic Party for him to withdraw from the race following his performance in last week's debate against Trump.
- But the next 48 hours are expected to be vital for the president's decision about his political future, with a prime-time interview set to air on ABC Friday at 8pm ET.
State of play: Harris, who has publicly defended Biden since the debate, is attracting attention from the pro-MAGA camp as well as everyday people sharing memes from her public appearances over the years.
- MAGA Inc., a Trump fundraising PAC, released a statement Wednesday criticizing her role in the Biden administration's border policy, which has in part sought to identify the root causes of migration from Central and South America.
- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) in a new digital ad cast Harris as Biden's heir apparent and his "enabler-in-chief" on border policy.
- Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, senior advisors to Trump's campaign, in a statement Wednesday claimed Harris "lied about Joe Biden's cognitive state and supported his disastrous policies over the past four years."
The Biden-Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Flashback: The Trump campaign's barbs against Harris are reminiscent of its preemptive political attacks against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) before the governor announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
- DeSantis was considered one of Trump's most formidable opponents for the nomination but his campaign flamed out in part due to Trump's attacks.
Between the lines: Top Democrats told Axios' Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei that replacing Biden could energize apathetic and exhausted Democratic voters.
- Depending on the replacements, Harris and her running mate could help the party's standing with independents and women, too, polling suggests.
The big picture: Polling after last week's debate suggests that a sizable number of voters believe Biden should be replaced as the leading Democratic candidate.
- Biden's polling against Trump also slightly slipped in the latest New York Times/Siena College poll released Wednesday.
Go deeper: Who Democrats could choose to replace Biden after his disastrous debate
