As the 2024 presidential race kicks into high gear, Vice President Kamala Harris finds herself facing a formidable challenge: winning back the support of non-college educated white and minority voters who have increasingly drifted away from the Democratic Party in recent years. According to political strategists and insiders, Harris’s ability to bridge the growing class divide and connect with these crucial voting blocs could make or break her chances of securing the White House.
The Working-Class Vote: A Key Battleground
In the last presidential election, Joe Biden struggled to attract working-class voters, particularly those without college degrees. A mere 27% of his supporters were white people without degrees, a stark contrast to the nearly 60% who backed Bill Clinton in his successful campaigns. This trend extends beyond just white voters, with Democrats losing ground among non-college educated Latinos and African Americans as well.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Harris has made outreach to these voter groups a top priority. Her selection of Tim Waltz, a relatable figure with a background as a coach and soldier, as her running mate is seen as a bold move to build bridges to the heartland and demonstrate her commitment to understanding the struggles of everyday Americans.
Embracing Anti-Elitist Messaging
One of the key strategies the Harris campaign is employing is the use of anti-elitist rhetoric, a tactic that has proven effective in appealing to working-class voters. By calling out her opponents’ Ivy League educations and billionaire backers, Harris positions herself as a champion of the people, fighting against the entrenched interests of the elite.
“Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, JD [Vance] studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community.”
– Tim Waltz, Kamala Harris’s running mate
This approach marks a significant shift from the Democratic Party’s past reliance on vague praise of the “middle class” while simultaneously embracing neoliberal policies that often left blue-collar workers behind. Harris’s willingness to take on issues like price gouging and support targeted economic interventions signals a new era of Democratic politics that prioritizes the needs of working families over unfettered free markets.
Navigating the Culture Wars
Beyond economics, Harris must also navigate the treacherous waters of the ongoing culture wars. Issues like patriotism, which resonate strongly with non-college educated voters, have often been a stumbling block for Democrats. By embracing a message of national pride and the “awesome responsibility” of being American, Harris aims to forge a cultural connection with these voters and counter Republican efforts to paint Democrats as out-of-touch elitists.
However, this strategy is not without its risks. As Bill Clinton warned, Democrats must be careful not to demean or dismiss the concerns of Trump voters, even when they disagree with them. Treating these voters with respect and understanding the root causes of their discontent will be crucial to winning them back.
The Uphill Battle Ahead
Despite Harris’s best efforts, the race remains stubbornly tied. Overcoming the cultural dynamics that have driven many working-class voters away from the Democratic Party will require more than just a single campaign’s outreach. Trump’s ability to channel the anger and frustration of those left behind by the erosion of the American Dream presents a formidable obstacle.
Moreover, Harris must contend with the pervasive disdain for the less educated that persists among some segments of the Democratic base. As philosopher Michael Sandel notes, “disdain for the less educated is the last acceptable prejudice.” Changing these attitudes and building genuine respect for working-class voters will be essential to any long-term strategy for winning them back.
The Path to Victory
Ultimately, Kamala Harris’s fate in 2024 will hinge on her ability to win over enough non-college educated voters in key swing states to tip the balance in her favor. By embracing anti-elitist messaging, navigating cultural fault lines, and demonstrating genuine respect for the struggles of working-class Americans, she has set herself on the right path.
However, success will require more than just a single campaign’s efforts. Democrats as a whole must confront their own biases and work to build lasting bridges to the voters they have lost. Only by forging a new coalition that spans the class divide can they hope to secure a brighter future for all Americans.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on Kamala Harris and her team to see if they can pull off this delicate balancing act. The stakes could not be higher, both for the Democratic Party and for the nation as a whole.
