Harris has already made history as the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, and now her campaign is gaining momentum with the endorsement of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Terry Spratt, a former speechwriter for President Obama and author of “Say It Well,” said the Obamas’ endorsement symbolizes the Democratic Party’s support for Kamala Harris.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Spratt stressed that until just a few days ago there was considerable division within the party. However, the show of support has seen a surge in solidarity, enthusiasm and donations, showing that the party is remarkably united.
Regarding speculation about the timing of Obama’s endorsement, Spratt denied that he hesitated because he had doubts about Harris’ chances of winning, explaining that since leaving office, Obama has played a role in promoting unity within the Democratic Party and avoiding internal conflict.
Kamala Harris has expressed a desire to win the nomination, and Obama respected that desire. Spratt suggests that the Obamas’ decision to withhold their support until the party had chosen a candidate was a strategic move to allow Harris to prove herself. Now, with their full support, the Obamas will campaign vigorously for Harris, which will bring about a major shift and enthusiasm in the Democratic base, he added.
Despite her recent surge in support, Harris faces a formidable challenger in Donald Trump, but Spratt remains optimistic about her prospects, noting that Harris has managed to close the gap on Trump in just a few days ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which typically gives candidates a significant boost.
Spratt points out that Trump has been a key figure for nearly a decade, but has never topped 47% approval rating, so he’s hit a ceiling. Harris, by contrast, has a lot of potential for growth, and the current momentum is in her favor.
Meanwhile, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a former Indian ambassador to the US, highlighted the competitive nature of the US elections, with voter turnout playing a key role. He noted that while the initial focus on Biden’s health and agility diverted attention from the core issues, Harris’ nomination has injected a new wave of excitement into the Democratic Party, making the race more competitive.
Sandhu also stressed the importance of the Electoral College, urging attention to key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia that are likely to determine the outcome of the election.
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