Kamala Harris took to the stage at the Democratic convention on Thursday evening, urging Americans to seize a “rare and fleeting moment” to support her candidacy and close the chapter on the extraordinary political era that began with Donald Trump’s rise nine years ago.
Her 40-minute address might not have matched the inspirational speeches delivered by the Obamas earlier in the week, but the enthusiasm and confidence in the arena were unmistakable.
With endorsements from high-profile celebrities and a widespread belief among Democrats that they are on the brink of a new era, the excitement within the party ranks hasn’t been this strong since Barack Obama’s groundbreaking presidential campaign in 2008.
The jubilant atmosphere among delegates in Chicago can be attributed to relief that they are not heading into this election with Joe Biden, whose age had become a significant concern, and to the seamless way Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, have taken their places at the top of the ticket.
However, behind the scenes, Democratic strategists are wary of voters and activists becoming complacent. They know the importance of maintaining momentum, ensuring supporters turn out, canvass, and encourage others to vote on November 5.
While opinion polls have recently swung in the Democrats’ favor since President Biden stepped down, the race remains incredibly close. The outcome will likely hinge on a few battleground states—Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina.
In most of these key states, the race could go either way, and recent political developments suggest that the dynamics could shift again in the 70 days remaining until the election.
Jim Messina, a seasoned Democratic strategist who managed Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, warned against assuming a Democratic victory is assured. Speaking on the BBC’s Americast podcast, Messina said, “Kamala Harris has had the best 30 days in American politics I’ve seen in a long time. But she’s still tied in the polls. Democrats have made progress, but it’s still a tight race with 75 days to go.”
Despite the feverish excitement at the convention, the tight race underscores the substantial work ahead if Democrats hope to secure the White House.
Trump, on the other hand, seems uncertain about how to campaign against Harris. He has yet to settle on a clear line of attack or even one of his signature nicknames for her.
A prominent Democratic strategist suggested that Trump will eventually find a way to define Harris in a manner that benefits his campaign, as his ability to label opponents effectively is one of his strengths. When that happens, the race could become much more challenging for Harris.
Amid the optimism emanating from the convention, there were also words of caution. In her speech on Tuesday night, Michelle Obama warned that the election would be incredibly close, urging voters to turn out in overwhelming numbers to leave no room for doubt. “We need to erase any doubt,” she told the crowd. “We need to overwhelm any effort to suppress us.”
Barack Obama echoed this sentiment in his own speech, encouraging those in attendance to mobilize when they return home. “It’s up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in,” the former president said. “And make no mistake, it will be a fight.”
Candidates in crucial swing states understand the hard work that lies ahead. “I’ve been telling Democrats everywhere this week: ‘Don’t get too confident and assume everyone is as energized as you are’,” said Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin, who is in a tight Senate race in Michigan, in an interview with Politico.
On the convention floor, delegates, clearly inspired by the events of the week, appeared to have taken the Obamas’ message to heart.
Cameron Landin, a 21-year-old from Georgia—a critical battleground state that Democrats won in the last election for the first time in 28 years—acknowledged that victory is not guaranteed.
“I really do believe Kamala Harris is going to win,” he said just hours before Harris took the stage. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.”
Landin, a regional organizer from Savannah, reflected the cautious optimism felt by many in the party, recognizing that while the Democrats are riding high, the road to victory remains uncertain.