Trump is a formidable candidate, can be defeated only if Harris-Walz campaign goes beyond pocket-book issues

A court ruling against Trump could provoke a significant backlash, particularly among his base, who might see it as an illegitimate attempt to steal the election from their candidate. By defeating Trump electorally, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz would minimise this backlash, ensuring that the outcome is viewed as a legitimate expression of the will of the people. The courts, indispensable to the rule of law, nonetheless, should not dominate our lives.

No wonder, the Harris-Walz campaign is focusing on energising the electorate, particularly by targeting key voter demographics in battleground states. Their campaign strategy centres on engaging and mobilising key constituencies, such as young voters, minorities, women, moderates, independents, and even disillusioned Republicans who may feel particularly motivated to oppose Trump. By building a broad and energised coalition, Harris and Walz are attempting to create a decisive electoral advantage. By presenting a clear and compelling policy vision that contrasts with Trump’s, they hope to win voters on the merits of their platform rather than through legal battles.

The Harris-Walz strategy to defeat Donald Trump focuses on contrasting their optimistic vision for America with Trump’s darker portrayal of the country’s future. They are positioning themselves as “joyful warriors”, aiming to restore a sense of hope in American politics. This strategy seeks to inspire voters by focusing on uplifting messages rather than divisive rhetoric. Their emphasis on commonalities among Americans, advocating for a vision of unity and opportunity contrasts with Trump’s strategy, which exploits societal divisions for electoral gain.

While the campaign focuses on positivity, it also recognizes the importance of addressing economic issues such as inflation and rising costs. Vice President Harris has pledged to advocate for the middle and working class because economic solutions remain a critical component to sell her platform to a wide swath of voters.

On August 17, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Vice President Harris announced a most ambitious economic agenda that sets out her detailed vision that aims at lowering economic pressures on American families including eliminating medical debts for millions of Americans; a $25,000 subsidy for first-time home buyers; a $6,000 per child tax credit for families for the first year of a child’s life; and a ban on price gouging at grocery stores. Continuing and upending the progressive policies of President Joe Biden, she promised not to raise taxes on Americans earning less than $400,000 annually. Besides, Medicare beneficiaries’ benefits contained in the Inflation Reduction Act (2022), such as out-of-pocket insulin cost at $35 and prescription drug cost of $2,000 would be extended to all Americans; and much more.

By leveraging a message of hope, optimism, and unity and a clear economic vision to benefit working-class families and small businesses, the Harris-Walz campaign aims to energise and expand its voter base by appealing to both urban and rural constituencies. The campaign seeks to transcend traditional political divisions and present a hopeful alternative to Trump’s more pessimistic outlook.

But Donald Trump is a formidable adversary.

Beating him is not going to be easy because, despite his numerous legal, political, and social controversies, he remains a powerful political figure. His ability to retain significant influence, even amid the scandals and challenges, and an assassination attempt, can be attributed to a combination of personal appeal, political strategy, and the broader dynamics of American politics.

Trump’s populist message has been a central component of his political staying power. He effectively capitalises on a sense of grievance among working-class voters who feel left behind by globalisation, technological change, and the shifting cultural norms of the country. His “America First” platform, which emphasises protectionist trade policies, anti-immigration stances, and scepticism of international institutions, continues to appeal to voters who feel that the political establishment has ignored their concerns.

Even before entering politics, Trump built a strong public image as a successful businessman and television personality. He has leveraged this media savvy to maintain a near-constant presence in the news cycle, often turning scandals or controversies into opportunities to galvanise his supporters. His use of social media, Twitter (X) and Truth Social, allows him to communicate directly with his followers, bypassing traditional media outlets that he often derides as biased or “fake news”.

His ability to control his narrative and dominate media coverage has kept him publicly prominent and ensured that his messaging reaches beyond his base. In this way, even negative press can sometimes work to his advantage, reinforcing the perception among his supporters that he is under attack by powerful forces but he’s indestructible.

Trump’s legal and political battles have not only failed to diminish his appeal to his core supporters but have, in some cases, strengthened it. Many of his supporters believe he is being unfairly targeted by a politically motivated “deep state” or the legal system. He has successfully framed many of these legal challenges as part of a broader effort by his political enemies to silence him and prevent him from reclaiming the presidency. This narrative of persecution has resonated deeply with his base, who see Trump as a martyr figure standing up against corrupt elites.

Trump has also tapped into the culture wars that dominate much of American political discourse. His vocal opposition to woke culture, cancel culture, and progressive social movements (such as Black Lives Matter and transgender rights) has made him a champion of those who feel threatened by what they perceive as a Leftward shift in American culture. He presents himself as a defender of traditional Christian values and a bulwark against the excesses of progressive activism.

This positioning has solidified his appeal among religious conservatives, some of whom believe, as McKay Coppins wrote in The Atlantic, that the Lord would help America Make America Great Again through Donald Trump. And then there are Second Amendment advocates, and those who see Trump’s appointing conservative judges, including three Supreme Court justices, as a lasting legacy.

Nonetheless, Donald Trump is not unbeatable. But to win a conclusive victory the Harris-Walz campaign must go beyond the pocket-book issues and create a vision of America so powerful, captivating, and persuasive, that it transcends Trump’s polarising vision.

With Kamala Harris in the White House, America would take “the road not taken before.” As President Biden said on the Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, “Her story represents the best American story…. She’ll be a president our children can look up to. … She will be a historic president who puts her stamp on America’s future.”

Narain Batra’s most recent book is a history of modern South Asia titled ‘India In A New Key: Nehru To Modi: 75 Years of Freedom and Democracy’. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.