With an apparent swell of support rising for the fledgling Kamala Harris presidential campaign, Americans may not be taking politics seriously. Following the first presidential debate, which was disastrous for Joe Biden, speculation grew about the possibility of Kamala Harris taking his place.

Kamala is a Political Meme

Previous MIG Reports analysis showed Harris surpassing Biden’s approval on several important issues, despite both battling negative sentiment. A wave of nakedly ironic support from Democratic voters embraced the Vice President’s meme potential, referencing coconut pills and the “khive.”

Now that Joe Biden has released an announcement of his plans to withdraw from the race, Democratic support for VP Harris seems to be surging. The ensuing dramatic and immediate shift in voter support and sentiment raises questions about how voters assign loyalty and make voting decisions.

The Kamala memes now include supporters, whether genuine or ironic, saying “Kamala is Brat,” referring to a meme where “brat” means not caring what haters say and having a relaxed demeanor. This appears to be an effort to rehabilitate Kamala's image as an awkward and cringeworthy public speaker. A viral meme video promoting “Brat Kamala" kicked off the enthusiasm.

why did I stay up till 3am making a von dutch brat coconut tree edit featuring kamala harris and why can’t I stop watching it on repeat pic.twitter.com/hqcmerD1Pb

— ryan (@ryanlong03) July 3, 2024

This was followed by gay supporters on Fire Island sporting brat Kamala midriff tops, CNN discussing brat Kamala, and even the official Kamala HQ X profile using brat font and colors as the header image.

BRAT Kamala shirts already on Fire Island. The gays move SO FAST pic.twitter.com/Zq3e9yctzv

— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) July 21, 2024

CNN talks about Kamala Harris’ ‘brat’ themed campaign.

pic.twitter.com/lBjbVEtZNf

— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 22, 2024

Public interest appears more fixated on political drama, conspiracy theories, and memes rather than concrete policy positions or administrative decisions. Could the heightened and dramatic sequence of events, largely playing out on X, be driving a caricatured and meme-driven attitude toward American politics?

Democrats Turn on a Dime

Democrats who support Harris tend to emphasize unity and strategic continuity, endorsing Harris as a capable leader who can pick up where Biden leaves off. This, however, contradicts previous rampant ironic support many Democratic voters expressed toward VP Harris just weeks ago.

Overall American sentiment reveals an underlying tension within both parties. Across partisan lines, Americans largely view Harris as an extension of Joe Biden's leftwing policy record. However, there is an emphasis on her being "more liberal" and "less competent."

Those expressing enthusiastic support for her candidacy may view the progressive agenda as more important than candidate specifics. They laud her long political career, ignoring its past controversies like her track record as a tough-on-crime prosecutor.

Many also tout Hariss’s historic potential as the first female, AAPI, and black president of the United States. This support emphasis suggests the VP’s voter base places high priority identity politics as a critical driving factor in voting decisions.

• In the last two days, online mentions of both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris exploded, surpassing 40,000 for each one. Discussion volume for Kamala Harris also outpaced mentions of Joe Biden.
• Both Biden and Harris enjoyed a slight bump in sentiment, however neither crossed 50%.

Accusations Against Republicans

Democratic voters voice frustration, particularly toward Republican critiques of the Democratic nomination process. Commenters prepare for anticipated claims of unfairness from Republicans about Biden's endorsement and the highly irregular method of making Harris the Democratic candidate.

Progressives say previous Republican behaviors undercut their current arguments. They say things like, "Get ready for Republicans to all tell Democrats how unfair it is that our elected nominee isn't our elected nominee." This suggests a feeling of preemptive defense and a voter willingness to accept Democratic leadership decisions, despite previous contradictions.

Additionally, the anticipation of intensified challenges Harris will face due to "racism" and "misogyny" are taking center stage. Predicted to face unprecedented levels of racial and gender-based hostility, Democratic sentiment here shows willingness to prioritize identity politics over consistency. This anticipation of bias against Harris also ties into anxieties about how her leadership will be accepted across different societal strata.

A conspicuous trend is the polarized nature of the comments, absent of middle-ground perspectives. This polarization hints at an electorate either firmly in support of or staunchly against Kamala Harris, with few expressing nuanced or mixed views. The passionate language used in both supportive and critical comments suggests voters are highly engaged but also deeply divided.

Will Underlying Skepticism Bubble Up?

American voters' knowledge ranges considerably when it comes to policy specifics that Kamala Harris may promote. Conversation substance suggests many are likely uninformed about the granular details. Public discourse reveals a significant focus on high-profile, emotionally charged issues rather than on comprehensive policy analysis.

When Kamala Harris is mentioned, it often centers around her reactions to contentious topics like the bombing of Gaza and the associated humanitarian crises. Public discussions also frequently critique her past support for certain causes, such as fundraising efforts criticized for allegedly aiding violent groups. These conversations suggest progressives, despite vocal unity, may not truly support the policies of a potential Harris administration.

Conversely, critics voice concerns about Harris's capability to secure a victory in the presidential race, many drawing parallels to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. Doubts about her leadership on issues like immigration are prevalent, with comments noting her lack of communication with key figures like the Border Patrol Chief. Criticism also touches on her perceived inability to garner wider appeal, with suggestions that she might struggle against entrenched societal biases and the strength of her Republican opponents.

Democratic Voters Fall in Line

The narrative of Biden being "pushed out" by his party or the “deep state” adds another layer of complexity. While some express sadness and nostalgia for Biden's tenure, the swift rallying behind Harris suggests the Democratic camp is willing to move according to leadership direction.

The conversation about voter engagement and mobilization is prevalent, with many emphasizing the need for unity and increased voter turnout to secure a victory for Harris. This sentiment is reinforced by calls to action from various factions within the Democratic Party and allied movements, showcasing a concerted effort to maintain momentum.

The discussions about Biden possibly being ousted by his Party seems to alarm a segment of Democrats. However, many who very recently expressed disgust at potential political maneuvers seem to be changing their tune. This includes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who livestreamed her criticisms of Party leaders for pressuring Joe Biden to withdraw—only to delete the video and tweet her support for Harris.

Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November.

Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy.

Let’s get to work.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 22, 2024