Former President Barack Obama is lending his support to Vice President Kamala Harris as they enter the final stretch of the election campaign. With Obama’s involvement, Harris gains a powerful ally known for his grassroots outreach and digital focus.
Key Facts
Obama will kick off his campaign support by visiting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 10. More details about his upcoming trips and rallies in battleground states will be revealed soon. According to Hannah Hankins, communication director at the Office of President Barack Obama, Obama will continue holding rallies until Election Day.
Obama’s aim in joining Harris on the campaign trail is to revive the spirit of the iconic 2008 campaign and bring back the message of “yes, we can.” The 2008 campaign mobilized supporters to have real conversations with friends and neighbors about the election, a socially risky endeavor. Obama’s strategy involved organizing local teams of supporters, who played a significant role in the “get out the vote” efforts.
The groundbreaking 2008 Obama campaign introduced sophisticated targeting and digital tactics, which have now become standard practice. This innovative approach allowed the campaign to connect with people on a personal level. The Harris campaign is likely to adopt these strategies to reach voters and leverage digital media for effective advertising.
Harris’ Campaign in Comparison to Obama’s
Harris’ campaign has brought on board key figures from Obama’s team, including pollsters, speechwriters, aides, strategists, and advisers like David Plouffe, Stephanie Cutter, and Mitch Stewart. This echoes the positive outlook and enthusiasm surrounding Obama’s 2008 campaign. Harris promotes “a new way forward” with joy and positivity, similar to Obama’s message of hope and change that resonated with voters.
Liz McKenna, an assistant professor at Harvard University and political sociologist, remarked, “This is already a sharp contrast to the Clinton 2016 and Biden 2020 campaigns, which did not have the same authentic groundswell of enthusiasm.” The Harris campaign also shares similarities with the 2008 Obama campaign through their inclusive mass training events known as “Camp Kamala,” reminiscent of the “Camp Obama” programs in 2007.
However, due to the shorter duration of Harris’ campaign, “Camp Kamala” focuses on last-minute mobilization tactics like phone calls and door knocking. In contrast, the “Camp Obama” events took place a year before the election and provided in-depth training on grassroots organizing and leadership.
The Harris campaign is also targeting younger audiences through platforms like TikTok and online jokes. While President Trump may have a larger social media following, Harris’ efforts have gained significant attention since the launch of her campaign in July.
Key Background
Having endorsed Harris in July and calling her the successor to his movement and coalition, Obama has played a critical role in her campaign. He has raised over $76 million for Harris through fundraising events and content. Eric Schultz, an adviser to Obama, stated that the former president is committed to doing everything he can to help Harris win.
Harris and Obama have a long history, having met two decades ago. Harris actively supported Obama’s 2008 campaign by canvassing and fundraising before the Iowa caucuses. In return, Obama endorsed Harris during her campaigns for California’s attorney general in 2010 and her Senate bid in 2016.
Surprising Fact
Harris’ connection with Obama dates back to their early days in politics. The BBC reported that Harris showed her commitment to his political agenda by knocking on doors and fundraising for Obama’s campaign.
