Democrats Hated Kamala a Few Weeks Ago But—She’s Not Joe
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Key Takeaways
- Kamala Harris has been deeply unpopular, even among Democrats, since she entered the national political arena.
- In the last several weeks, her approval seems to have drastically swung toward positivity as Democrats are reinvigorated by Biden’s withdrawal.
- Independents and other critical voter groups, however, remain skeptical of the authenticity of this sudden and dramatic shift.
Our Methodology
Demographics
Democrats, Independents
Sample Size
55,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
7 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
MIG Reports analysis shows interesting trends in perceptions of Kamala Harris—specifically of her rise in popularity since taking over the Democratic presidential nomination. Online conversations reveal various sentiments among American voters with questions and critiques about her political standing and the dynamics of her approval ratings.
Independents
Discussion Trends
Independent voters often not the sudden shift in approval for Kamala Harris, with many questioning the reasons and timing of this change. They scrutinize her sudden approval swing spearheaded by the media and Democratic Party pundits, asking: why now?
This group speculates about the factors influencing Harris’s sudden increase in support. Many express skepticism, suggesting the soaring approval reported by Democrats and some polls may stem from manipulated narratives or strategic political maneuvers rather than genuine grassroots support.
Many in this voter group are concerned about Harris’s economic understanding and leadership capabilities. Words like "delusional," "basic economy," and "make America worse" communicate a strong disapproval of her leadership. People express a lack of faith in Harris’s ability to address critical issues like inflation.
Other recurring themes suggest she was “installed," in the nomination since she did not receive a single primary vote. Some call this idea "disgusting," indicating a belief that her rise violates norms of the democratic process. These suspicions further fuel cynicism about the sudden sea-change in Harris’s public approval.
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Sentiment Trends
Independent voters are doubtful, expressing some hostility and anger, with very few supportive comments. The general tone is frustration with Harris’s lack of competence and the media and Democrats’ unwillingness to acknowledge her shortcomings. Many in this group fear drastically negative consequences if Harris is elected. People speculate about the "end of America," expressing the intensity of their concerns.
Many Independents point out the fact that Harris was deeply unpopular—even in her own party—just months ago. They cite the fact that her presidential campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination ended in 2019 because of her unpopularity. Harris’s approval ratings have also been abysmal, along with Joe Biden’s, throughout their administration.
Someone just sent this to me. It's from 2021. I never saw it before. Jimmy Dore is awesome.
— MAZE (@mazemoore) August 15, 2024
I remember posting this video, it got millions of views and even liberals were bashing Kamala in the comments. Susan Sarandon even commented that Kamala is a fraud.😂
Kamala is so fake. pic.twitter.com/b88ZccEjug
Some recognize the political elite's influence in Harris’s rise to the top of the Democratic ticket. Others prefer to move forward and focus on criticizing the effectiveness of her policies. Both attack avenues reveal widespread unease in segments of the electorate regarding Democratic leadership, direction, and policy proposals.
Harris as a polarizing figure. While there are discussions of a perceived popularity surge, skepticism prevails. There are many Independents who are so archly opposed to Trump that criticism of Harris may fall by the wayside. But skepticism about how Democratic leaders use power and the extremism of Harris’s policies does not go unnoticed.
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Democrats
Democrat voters have a diverse and evolving sentiment toward Kamala Harris, particularly as they reflect on leadership’s claims of her popularity within the party. Current conversations highlight a noticeable approval swing, prompting many to question its origins and the timing of this shift. Voter sentiment oscillates between admiration for her campaign capabilities and concerns regarding her performance in various vice-presidential responsibilities.
Pro-Kamala Means: She Isn’t Biden or Trump
Much of the positive sentiment toward Harris hinges on her opposition to Donald Trump. When contrasted with their perception of Trump, many Democrats express belief in her ability to articulate a coherent and positive message. They view this as stark contrast to what they describe as Trump’s "verbal diarrhea" and racist ravings.
Democrats talk about Harris’s "message," "narrative," and "crowds,” praising her chances to defeat Trump a second time. Supporters emphasize Harris’s large audiences at campaign rallies compared to accusations of thing crowds at Trump’s events. This pattern indicates a strategic narrative casting Harris as a dynamic, engaging candidate capable of rallying support, which seems crucial in recalibrating public approval.
Just six months ago, anti-establishment figure and comedian Jimmy Dore gained 2 million views on commentary videos mocking Vice President Harris. This criticism of her image and inconsistencies was a common trend, even among Democrats, since the 2020 Democratic primaries.
However, since Joe Biden’s withdrawal, Democratic voters have received an infusion of energy and enthusiasm. Following the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump, the Democratic Party was in despair at Biden’s plummeting odds. Replacing Biden with Harris has served to reenergize the base and incentivize those who criticized her in the past to find new admiration for their nominee.
Calcifying Racial Classes
Recent endorsements, such as from the Culinary Union in Nevada, further enhance Harris’s standing among Party loyalists. These endorsements serve as validation points that resonate with the demographic diversity of the voter base, including Latino, Black, AAPI, and immigrant communities. Harris's backing from significant organizations plays a role in enhancing her credibility and appeal among partisans.
Discourse also focuses on the claimed policy successes of the Biden-Harris administration. Supporters highlight improvements in agricultural commerce, which they claim stem from Democratic policies. The base touts Biden-Harris achievements as an antidote to perceived failures of Trump’s administration.
Sentiment Trends
Democratic sentiment trends reflect both enthusiasm and a sense of urgency as the election approaches. Supporters express a commitment to voter mobilization, with calls to action like "get off the couch and vote." The phrase "voting" alongside emotive language about unity among underrepresented groups reinforces an atmosphere of collective urgency.
Despite the positivity across many factions of the Democratic base, some skepticism and critique remain. This manifests in discussions questioning Harris’s presence on certain media platforms, with adversarial commentary about how she presents herself to different audiences.
There are some pockets of Democrats who say they cannot support Harris, including some politicians in red or purple districts. This group seems reluctant to forget why she was deeply unpopular until just a few weeks ago. They also highlight the fact that, as America learns more about her economic proposals, moderates and free market capitalists will remain opposed.
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