Vice President Kamala Harris concluded what was already a challenging week with remarks that were perceived as dismissive towards 13 Gold Star families, which subsequently drew significant criticism.
Let’s take a look at the events of the past seven days.
Recently, Harris's presidential campaign has faced numerous hurdles. Despite receiving considerable media coverage over the last six weeks, the campaign appeared to lose momentum following the Democratic National Convention.
Lack of Post-Convention Poll Boost
Data from the RealClearPolitics average of national polls shows that Harris had a 1.7 percent lead over former President Trump at the end of her convention, which has now increased slightly to 1.8 points. For comparison, on this date in her campaign, Hillary Clinton held a 4.9-point lead over Trump. Observers suggest that unless an unexpected event occurs, Harris's support has plateaued, and that polling often underestimates Trump’s voter base.
Debate Rules Controversy
The rules for the upcoming presidential debate between Harris and Trump were established and agreed upon. However, Harris's team recently requested changes to these rules, sparking a week-long debate. This move has been seen by some as an indication of weakness, particularly as the original rules remained unchanged.
Controversy Over Employment Claims
Part of Harris's campaign narrative includes the claim that she worked at McDonald’s while in college, a story highlighted in a recent campaign ad. To date, no conclusive evidence has been found to support this claim, and the Harris campaign has not provided additional details to verify it.
CNN Interview Criticism
Harris also faced criticism following a recent CNN interview. Despite extensive preparation and a supportive interviewer, some viewers felt Harris was unable to effectively outline her policies or respond to questions about her past positions. Critics described her performance as lacking confidence and presidential demeanor.
On multiple occasions, Vice President Kamala Harris stated, "My values haven't changed," in reference to her political stance on several key issues, including immigration policies, private insurance, police funding, healthcare access for undocumented immigrants, and energy policies like fracking. The Trump campaign quickly seized on these remarks, using them to fuel a series of memes and criticisms.
These statements are likely to remain a focal point for the Trump campaign leading up to the election, reinforcing their narrative that Harris struggles to perform under pressure when speaking without prepared remarks.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, a significant controversy arose.
Controversial Remarks About Gold Star Families
Harris faced backlash after tweeting that 13 Gold Star families were politicizing the death of their loved ones, a statement interpreted by some as an attempt to shift attention away from her recent CNN interview, which had been widely criticized.
This comment has been described by some observers as a major misstep, one that could have lasting implications for her campaign.
The tweet was seen by some as a move by Harris's campaign to regain footing amidst a challenging period.
Harris has previously highlighted her role in the decision-making process regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating she was "the last one in the room" when the decision was made to pull out before ensuring all personnel and military equipment were safely evacuated. Critics argue this decision contributed to the deaths of 13 service members.
Moreover, according to the families of these 13 service members, neither President Biden nor Vice President Harris has reached out to them to offer condolences. Critics suggest that this lack of communication is due to the controversy surrounding the withdrawal and the resulting loss of life, with some alleging that the administration would prefer to avoid drawing attention to these events. Additionally, some claim that the mainstream media has been complicit in downplaying these issues.
Former President Trump has maintained a strong relationship with the families of the 13 service members who lost their lives, reportedly supporting them throughout their grieving process. According to these families, they invited Trump to join them during their anniversary visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a moment they wished to be photographed as a tribute. They also mentioned extending an invitation to President Biden and Vice President Harris, but they did not receive a response.
Despite what appeared to be a period of calm between the 13 families and the Harris campaign, tensions escalated on a Saturday afternoon. As Harris faced declining poll numbers, she made a statement suggesting that the families' visit to Arlington was a political move, which the families perceived as an unfounded attack.