Staff Reports
David Axelrod, once a key strategist for Barack Obama, has emerged as one of the few voices on the left willing to acknowledge the stark reality of Joe Biden’s political decline. While progressive pundits and Democratic representatives insisted that Biden was as sharp as ever, Axelrod cut through the fog of denial, recognizing Biden as a flawed candidate who would likely falter against Donald Trump. Following a disastrous debate performance, the truth finally set in for many, leading to Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Now, with Kamala Harris stepping into the spotlight, Axelrod remains skeptical—and rightly so. The former advisor is not buying into the Democrats’ overly optimistic narrative surrounding the vice president’s candidacy. During a recent appearance on CNN, he expressed concerns about the “irrational exuberance” that seems to have overtaken the left. While some may feel a renewed sense of hope, Axelrod reminded viewers that it’s still Trump’s race to lose.
Axelrod Warns: "Irrational Exuberance" On Democratic Side, This Is Absolutely Trump's Race To Losehttps://t.co/AFYXsJRRO7
"It's a wide-open race, but Trump has the advantage right now and everybody should be sober about that on the Democratic side." pic.twitter.com/5CPjLGnVao
— RCP Video (@rcpvideo) August 4, 2024
Polling data reflects this reality, with Trump holding a narrow 1.1 percent lead over Harris in The Hill/Decision Desk HQ’s national average. The battleground states present a similar story, where both candidates find themselves within the margin of error. Despite the close numbers, the prediction model gives Trump a solid 56 percent chance to reclaim the White House. One has to wonder how the Democrats can maintain their frenzy with such slim margins, but perhaps denial is their preferred coping mechanism.
Axelrod, despite being affiliated with the left, has demonstrated a level of pragmatism that is sorely lacking among his contemporaries. Many on CNN and MSNBC continue to mislead the public about Harris’s qualifications and achievements, which are notably scarce. While Axelrod acknowledges the need for the left to be cautious, he highlights that the more audiences see Harris on the campaign trail, the more her inadequacies will likely come to light.
As the election season heats up, voters—particularly those within the once adoring progressive base—may start to question whether Harris is truly ready for the national stage. With Axelrod’s level-headed take on the unfolding drama, it seems that the Democrats may be setting themselves up for an awakening as they rally behind a candidate who may not be equipped to handle the demands of the presidency. The next few months could be critical, and for the sake of their party, Democrats might want to considerar a dose of realism instead of wishful thinking.
