Staff Reports
Kamala Harris is sprouting a new strategy straight out of the pop playbook, thanks to none other than the queen of catchy tunes, Taylor Swift. In what can only be described as an election season publicity stunt, Harris and the Democratic National Committee have rolled out digital billboards in prime locations like Times Square and the Las Vegas Strip. Drawing inspiration from Taylor’s extensive discography, the billboards flaunt slogans that would make any teenage girl’s heart skip a beat. One such billboard proclaims a bold “We’re in Our Kamala Era!”—implying that apparently an era of mediocre leadership is just what voters need.
It’s convenient to see Harris capitalize on Swift’s somewhat lukewarm endorsement announcement that came right on the heels of a presidential debate. Taylor’s Instagram post, while officially “supportive,” was laced with an unexpected dose of adulting advice for her fanbase. Encouraging her millions of swifties to “do their own research” before casting their votes sounds like an implicit acknowledgment of Harris’s lack of appeal. After all, with Harris struggling to connect with young progressives who are peeved about her stance on the Israeli-Hamas conflict, swifties might find her campaign as appealing as soggy pizza.
Kamala Harris’ campaign is going full on Swiftie with new campaign ads inspired by Taylor Swift. pic.twitter.com/NvksuvM1oO
— Access Hollywood (@accesshollywood) September 13, 2024
Swift’s decision to endorse was probably motivated by external pressures rather than a genuine enthusiasm for the candidate; just two days prior, the publication Variety explicitly called her out for her silence on the 2024 election, suggesting it was “regrettable.” Apparently, if you’re a megastar, not endorsing the right candidate is akin to committing a social faux pas. In a world where everything is problematic, it seems that not participating in political theater is a cardinal sin, especially for celebs who are expected to parrot the progressive party line.
While the campaign may relish in the glitz of digital billboards and celebrity endorsements, they might want to check the pulse of the grassroots. Many young, idealistic voters are showing their frustration with Harris, evidenced by protests led by anti-Israel activists at recent events. One could argue that the catchy phrases on flashy billboards are more about distraction than substance, a classic Democratic tactic to bring attention away from their candidate’s glaring deficiencies.
It would serve Harris and her campaign better to focus on policies that resonate with Americans rather than riding on the coattails of pop culture references. With the approval ratings in the cellar and young voters slipping away, a flashy endorsement from a music megastar is unlikely to turn things around. At the end of the day, voters want real solutions, and no amount of billboard slogans will fix the damage done by misguided political choices. When the dust settles, music careers may outlast political eras, but not for the reasons Harris hopes for.
