Narratives Fracture, but Democrats Plan to Vote Blue no Matter Who

July 22, 2024 Narratives Fracture, but Democrats Plan to Vote Blue no Matter Who  image

Key Takeaways

  • The public response to Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate is highly charged and somewhat fragmented, reflecting a nation grappling with sudden uncertainties.
  • Despite a breakdown in cohesive narratives and disagreements about what is happening or why, Democratic voters seem to be rallying for Harris.
  • Outside of positivity mounting for the Harris campaign, sudden changes and disarray in the Party seem to obliterate usual conversation trends and patterns. 

Our Methodology

Demographics

All Voters

Sample Size

4,500

Geographical Breakdown

National

Time Period

1 Day

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. 

Americans are reacting to Joe Biden’s tweet announcing his decision to drop out of the presidential election with strong emotions. There is an unusually chaotic and less patterned conversation landscape. MIG Reports data reveals two distinct patterns:

  • United support among Democrats for the change in candidates.
  • Frenetic and disjointed criticism of Harris’s candidacy, with diverging viewpoints and a visible lack of cohesive narrative.

Chaos

The complexity of public responses reveals disjointed and confused political strategies. Voters frequently discuss the Democratic Party's decisions, with terms like "identity politics,” “donor class,” and “disarray.” There is a sentiment among these voices that Biden's exit and Harris's candidacy are results of broader political maneuvering within the party. This view often comes with a mix of skepticism and resentment. This critical perspective underscores a belief in factionalism and party politics influencing key decisions, rather than a purely meritocratic consideration of Harris’s capabilities or votes cast by Americans.

Public sentiment towards Kamala Harris's candidacy is divided. While her Democratic voter base seems unified around her, critics remain vocal about their concerns. Supporters bring up her political history, lauding her as accomplished. However, they do not attach her previous unpopularity or the poor approval toward Joe Biden’s presidency to her current candidacy.

Online conversations have fewer clear themes and exhibit a heightened sense of chaos and urgency compared to more traditional discourses. This suggests a notable shift in the voter beliefs about the causes and implications of Joe Biden withdrawing.

This new, chaotic dynamic reveals a turbulent and uncertain political climate. This is only exacerbated by Biden's abrupt announcement of his withdrawal and the ensuing scramble for alignment and support within the Democratic Party.

Joe Biden

The top keywords emerging from these discussions center on "Biden," "Kamala," "Trump," "Hunter," "legacy," and "economy." Public sentiment around Joe Biden seems to polarize sharply into highly positive and highly negative views.

Positive sentiments highlight Biden's progressive accomplishments, his legacy as a pro-working-class president, and a belief in his deep empathy and character. People express profound gratitude for his efforts in establishing gun reform, boosting the economy, tackling climate change, and supporting unions.

Many echo Hunter Biden’s statement about his father’s unconditional love and commitment to public service. They underscore an emotional and personal connection to Biden's tenure. Supporters praise Biden for his significant achievements and transformative policies, stating their readiness to back Kamala Harris, who they believe will continue his progressive legacy.

Negative sentiments are often vehement, with accusations of incompetence, weakened borders, and economic mismanagement. Critics accuse Biden of being manipulated by his Party leaders and stress Kamala Harris’s perceived inadequacies. They voice frustrations over his legacy, including the immigration crisis and multiple foreign policy crises. Detractors emphasize a narrative of decline under Biden’s administration and project even more pessimism at the prospect of Harris taking the helm.

The reasons for sentiment trends are mostly rooted in partisan divisions. Supporters focus on Biden’s alleged policy successes and personal virtues, while critics latch onto recurring failures and controversies. The chaotic nature of these conversations indicates deep-seated political divides and a struggle for narrative control as voters grapple with the implications of Biden’s withdrawal and Harris’s ascent.

Kamala Harris

In the wake of President Biden's unexpected withdrawal announcement, online conversation among Americans is frenetic and impassioned. Discussion about Harris, like Biden, is less structured and more chaotic than usual.

Vote Blue No Matter Who

A predominant keyword emerging from the conversations is "KamalaHarris2024," often accompanied by hashtags like #VoteBlue, #HarrisForPresident, and #MadamePresident. Supporters express enthusiasm about her candidacy, citing her qualifications and historical significance as a leading advocate for marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ community.

Democrats use words like "champion," "equality," "proud," and "excited" with their endorsements. Sentiment among her supporters is optimistic and expresses a readiness to mobilize. This is supported by significant fundraising numbers following Biden's announcement. Despite receiving no votes in the Democratic primary during her previous run for president and her dismally low historical approval, Democratic voters seem to be rallying around Harris. This suggests a willingness to “vote blue no matter who.”

Detractors seem to be mostly on the right, focusing on her past controversies and perceived shortcomings. Top keywords in these opposing viewpoints include "Antifa," "BLM," "Willie Brown," and "criminal justice." These critics often allege her political career has been marked by opportunism and inconsistency.

People point to her tenure as California’s Attorney General where she faced criticism for her handling of wrongful convictions and her relationship with the former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Words like “disappointed,” “backlash,” “controversy,” and “unprepared” are frequently used by those skeptical of her presidential ambitions. The sentiment here tends to emphasize distrust and discontent, driven by historical grievances and perceived failures in her political tenure.

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