GOP strategist Brad Todd voiced strong criticism over Kamala Harris’ decision to deliver her high-stakes speech in front of the White House on Tuesday, calling the move “political malpractice” amid Joe Biden’s substantial disapproval ratings.
Harris, delivering what she called her “closing argument” speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., urged her supporters to vote against what she described as the “chaos” of a Trump presidency, with just a week left before Election Day.
Todd, appearing on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” questioned the strategy of staging Harris at such a high-profile location given that Biden and Harris face substantial public dissatisfaction. “I hate to be the skunk at the garden party here, but I think, you know, I plan political events for a living, and I think this was political malpractice to put her in front of this White House,” Todd commented.
“Sixty-eight percent of Americans think that the country’s on the wrong track, and they blamed Joe Biden, and increasingly they’re blaming Kamala Harris. By standing in front of the White House tonight, she’s going to own all 68% of that disapproval.”
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Suggesting a different approach, Todd proposed that Harris could have been more effective in key battleground locations like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, noting that the optics of standing outside the White House may not resonate positively with undecided voters. “I think it’s a comfort reason. I think northwest Washington, D.C., is about her best precinct in America. Everybody likes her there,” Todd said, adding, “She should have been in the Union Lodge in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh tonight — that would have done her a lot more good.”
Todd also addressed how Harris’ message might resonate with undecided or moderate GOP voters, particularly those who had previously supported former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the Republican primary.
He argued that her speech lacked new substance, calling it nearly identical to her remarks at the Democratic National Convention in August. “I also don’t think that she did a lot for Nikki Haley voters,” Todd remarked.
“They’ve talked a lot this week about that they were going after Haley voters, and I think the Haley voters had to be looking at this as like a Christmas present they opened up was socks. They got nothing new from her, nothing that wasn’t in her convention speech, frankly. I don’t think this moves the ball for her here at the end.”
.@BradOnMessage: “I think this was political malpractice to put her in front of this White House. 68% of Americans think this country’s on the wrong track, and they blame Joe Biden — and increasingly, they’re blaming Kamala Harris. By standing in front of that White House… pic.twitter.com/oLEk9Lk1Lo
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 30, 2024
Harris, since becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee, has reportedly attempted to distance herself from some aspects of Biden’s administration, drawing criticism after telling ABC’s “The View” on October 8 that “not a thing” came to mind when asked if she would change anything from the last four years.
“There is not a thing that comes to mind.” – Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/mQAo2vbydE
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 9, 2024
As Election Day approaches, polling data indicates that top issues on voters’ minds include the economy, inflation, and immigration. CNN’s polling analyst Harry Enten suggests Harris may be impacted by voters’ disapproval of Biden’s economic policies.
In CNN/SSRS’s latest poll, 64% of respondents expressed disapproval of Biden’s overall performance, with only 36% approving.
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