Staff Reports
President Joe Biden seems to be doing his utmost to hand the 2024 election to Donald Trump on a silver platter, and recent comments have put Vice President Kamala Harris in an even tighter spot. Political analyst Frank Luntz, no stranger to the game, has declared that Biden’s blunder over calling Trump “garbage” may have officially sunk Harris’s already beleaguered ship. When even members of the Democratic party start throwing shade at their own, it’s clear things are away from the normal political discourse.
Biden’s infamous remark sparked nationwide outrage and prompted Harris to scramble for cover—nothing says loyalty quite like a vice president frantically distancing herself from her own boss. Luntz pointed out that such an offensive comment is unbecoming for the leader of the free world. Let’s be honest, it certainly raises eyebrows to see the President of the United States, whose primary job is to unify and lead, resorting to juvenile name-calling against a former president and current contender.
Why is the gender gap so big in this election?
I spoke with 15 men who'd previously voted for Democrats (most of them voted for Hillary in 2016 and Biden in 2020) but are now backing Trump in 2024.
You can watch the full episode at @StraightArrow__ now: https://t.co/cWriLQvU5M pic.twitter.com/lF6BdqV14D
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) October 30, 2024
According to Luntz, Biden’s choice of words could potentially shift the political landscape, marking a vital “turning point” in favor of Trump. Given recent Gallup poll results, it appears Trump is already inching ahead in terms of public perception, enjoying a 50% favorable view compared to Harris’s dismal 30%. It doesn’t take a political expert to conclude that throwing around insults instead of focusing on policy is a recipe for disaster, and those numbers don’t lie.
This latest gaffe from Biden is likely to energize Trump’s base even further, reminiscent of the “basket of deplorables” moment back in 2016. As Luntz noted, this could galvanize those last few undecided voters who remain on the fence. The sense is palpable; you can almost hear Trump’s campaign strategists already salivating at the thought of slapping together ads featuring Biden’s “garbage” remark as they deepen their attacks on the Vice President.
Among those steering away from the Democratic Party are former voters who once championed Hillary Clinton and Biden—now shifting gears in favor of Trump for 2024. They criticize the Democrats for their dishonesty, claiming they were misled about Biden’s capabilities, and now feel trapped with Harris who hasn’t even had the chance to battle within her own party. As one disillusioned former Democrat lamented, the party has veered far from its principles, embracing a level of dishonesty that would make anyone question their loyalties.
In essence, Biden’s slip-up has given Trump a golden opportunity to rally support, especially as discontent simmers just beneath the surface of American voters. Harris’s struggle to clarify her stance on key issues only serves to deepen the rift. If this is how Democrats plan to play, Trump may just have a more favorable election season than they ever anticipated.
