It looks like Kamala Harris is getting a wake-up call about her campaign strategy, and it’s not a gentle nudge. According to recent reports, she’s being told to abandon the feel-good, unity-based messaging — or risk alienating her core Democratic supporters. The warning comes from high-level voices within the party, including Bernie Sanders, who believes it’s time to ditch the cross-party outreach and focus directly on the needs of working-class Americans.
Sanders, who has already put in significant effort on the campaign trail in Harris’ name, isn’t shy about expressing his frustration. He’s emphasizing that the campaign must switch gears and start addressing real kitchen-table issues like wages, health care, and food prices. His underlying message is clear: Republicans aren’t the ones Harris needs to win over. Sanders even suggested this shift should’ve happened two months ago but added a resigned, “It is what it is.”
There’s also some praise for Harris’ advertising team, which has been pouring money into campaign ads focusing on core economic issues. These ads tackle topics like taxing billionaires and protecting Social Security — subjects that hit home with both swing voters and the Democratic base. But, as Adam Green from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee pointed out, the messaging at campaign events feels out of sync with these ads. Harris’ events have been centered on unity and collaboration — particularly with figures like Liz Cheney — which doesn’t seem to fire up her base or connect with undecided voters at a critical time.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is already charging ahead, capitalizing on a message that resonates with his base: frustration with the country’s current direction. At each of his rallies, Trump’s go-to line — “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” — draws thunderous applause, reinforcing his connection to voters who feel left behind. And his campaign team isn’t holding back, with senior adviser Jason Miller framing Harris as someone who has only brought chaos to the economy and the border. In contrast, Trump’s promise to “fix” those same issues offers a direct contrast to what voters might see as Harris’ lack of clear focus.
The takeaway seems to be this: While Trump’s message is simple and direct, Harris’ campaign is struggling to define what she stands for. And with voting already underway in some places, time isn’t exactly on her side.