Kamala Harris’s presidential aspirations seem to be as shaky as a toddler on roller skates, and it’s not just conservative pundits saying so. According to Harry Enten, a data analyst at CNN, Harris finds herself in a precarious position thanks to the sinking ship that is the Biden administration, which most Americans believe is not doing the job. A mere 28% of citizens think the country is on the right path, which is about as reassuring as being handed a “World’s Best Boss” mug while your boss is fumbling with a coupon for expired yogurt.
Enten seems to be arguing that if one were to chart out approval ratings for incumbents who end up losing, Harris’s 28% puts her dangerously close to the average for those about to be shown the door. In historical context, the current approval ratings for the party in power during a losing campaign hover around 25%. Rather than showing signs of hope and change, Harris’s numbers are suggesting a grim trip down memory lane—a lane that leads straight to electoral defeat.
WATCH: CNN data guru Harry Enten reports “bad sign for Kamala Harris campaign,” as “it would be historically unprecedented” for Harris to win with so few Americans believing the country is on the "right track” pic.twitter.com/MEhRcDvflX
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) October 5, 2024
When looking at a more successful administration, the average percentage of Americans believing the country is headed in the right direction is around 42%. Suffice it to say, Harris’s Democratic Party is a long jump away from that comforting statistic. The political gravity of her situation can’t be overstated; more Americans think they have a better chance of finding a unicorn than of agreeing that this administration is cutting it.
However, perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of this unfolding drama is Kamala’s current dilemma regarding her identity compared to Joe Biden. As crises pile up, Harris has remained as clear on her contrasts with her co-incumbent as a foggy morning. The silence surrounding her stance is deafening. Americans are left scratching their heads, wondering if she’s leaving space to hone her opinions in the realm of political theater, where she might pop in and out like a magician’s assistant.
Enten also pointed out a troubling trend for Harris regarding Biden’s disapproval ratings, which sit about ten points below his approval ratings—an unfavorable situation by any metric. Typically, history will show that the incumbent’s party is unlikely to maintain power under these conditions, making this election seem more like a desperate game of political dodgeball for Harris than a stroll through an electoral park.
The reality sinking in is that Harris is caught in a perfect storm of mediocrity, poor approval ratings, and a party that seems to be floundering. With the general sentiment among voters leaning heavily towards viewing the country as off the rails, her campaign looks less like a campaign and more like an invitation to a party no one wants to attend. If current trends continue, the only thing Kamala Harris may be winning in November is an unceremonious exit from the political stage.