Former Bill Clinton adviser Mark Penn said on Tuesday that it’s no surprise Vice President Kamala Harris has climbed in the polls given the positive media coverage she has received.
Former President Donald Trump only has a .2% lead over Harris in the top seven battleground states after holding a 4.3% lead over President Joe Biden when he was still running for reelection, according to the RealClearPolling averages. Penn, on “Mornings With Maria Bartiromo,” said Harris is polling well despite Americans’ dissatisfaction with the economy and the country’s trajectory under the Biden-Harris administration because “she’s had unopposed media praising her.”
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Former Clinton Adviser Says ‘It’s Not Surprising’ Harris Has ‘Surged In The Polls’ Because ‘She’s Had Unopposed Media’ pic.twitter.com/1cJhGoKadU
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“The polls are showing a dead race. Remember, it’s not surprising the Republicans get a lift from their convention, the Democrats get a lift from their convention. And she’s, in effect, had the Democratic Convention for the last two weeks. She’s had unopposed media praising her and we’ve seen her numbers move from 38% favorable to 47% favorable,” Penn said. “Now, in the background, two-thirds are unhappy with the economy, two-thirds were unhappy with the direction of the country, almost 60% were unhappy with the administration and most people didn’t like her as vice president. And more people like Trump as president.”
“But those things right now are just overcome by a surge of media and a ride and a well orchestrated campaign on their part that has at least moved this race to even … I think she should be a couple points ahead if her convention is successful,” he added.
CNN’s Van Jones on Monday said it’s “scary” that the race is so tight despite the “positive press” Harris has received since launching her campaign.
“I think they’re going to fill in some of the agenda, but the plan here, there have been no interviews for 27 days, she’s surged in the polls, they’ve reunited the Democratic Party, they’re not going to mention any issues that are divisive,” Penn added. “They’re going to run a smart campaign. Of course she can win.”
Harris and her running mate garnered “82% positive press” while Trump and his running mate have experienced “90% negative coverage” on ABC News, CBS News and NBC News evening broadcasts from July 21 to August 17, according to a Monday Media Research Center study.
Democratic strategist James Carville on Monday warned his party not to be “giddy” regarding Harris’ chances of victory, as Trump typically “overperforms his polling averages.”
“I’m glad that people are feeling better. I’m glad that people are excited. But anybody that looks at this with any sense of history, any sense of objectivity, sees that there’s plenty possible pitfalls that we’re faced with. And we need to acknowledge that and stop being giddy all the time,” he said.
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