Summary
Kamala Harris’s campaign fundraising during the 2024 presidential election was substantial, with her campaign raising over $1 billion. Despite this financial advantage and significant spending on advertising and events, internal polling indicated that she struggled to convince swing-state voters of her viability against Donald Trump, ultimately leading to her defeat.
Throughout her 107-day campaign, Harris disclosed spending approximately $880 million by mid-October, which included heavy investments in advertising that outpaced Trump’s expenditures. Her campaign aimed to mobilize support through large rallies and celebrity endorsements, hoping to resonate with voters in key battleground states. However, despite these efforts, Harris’s campaign faced challenges in voter perception, particularly regarding economic issues and the legacy of the Biden administration. Many voters, especially in swing states, did not hold Trump accountable for the economic difficulties experienced during his presidency, which hindered Harris’s ability to effectively position herself as a viable alternative.
Fundraising Details
- Total Raised: Over $1 billion
- Spending: Approximately $880 million by mid-October
- Advertising Expenditures: Harris and her committees outspent Trump and his backers by a margin of $654 million to $378 million.
Voter Perception Challenges
- Internal Polling: Indicated difficulty in convincing undecided voters about Trump’s presidency.
- Economic Issues: Many voters associated Trump with a strong pre-COVID economy and did not attribute the subsequent economic downturn to his administration.
Strategic Missteps
- Celebrity Influence: While Harris utilized celebrity endorsements, they did not translate into sufficient voter support.
- Swing State Engagement: Despite heavy spending and campaigning, Harris failed to secure critical votes in swing states that were pivotal for her campaign’s success.
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Nov. 8 / The Portland Press Herald / Highlights the emotional impact of Trump's victory, contrasting it with Harris's hopeful vision. While it provides personal insight, it lacks a broader analysis of electoral dynamics and implications for the future. “ When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, I was over the moon. I cried tears of joy. Having lived through the fraught civil rights years of the 1960s,...
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Nov. 6 / Hollywood Life / Summarizes the election outcome, emphasizing Trump's victory and popular vote details. It effectively presents results but lacks a nuanced exploration of the shifts in voter demographics. “ Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fiercely competed for key battleground states in their efforts to win the 2024 presidential...