Kamala Harris's reliance on celebrities during her campaign has emerged as a significant factor in the setbacks she faced. A review by the Labour Party's election-winning pollster, Deborah Mattinson, has shed light on how this approach misjudged America's grim mood and further distanced the Democrats from their traditional working-class base.

"Kamala Harris's Celebrity Endorsements: A Blow to Democratic Chances"

Series of Grave Mistakes

Rallies that resembled celebratory pop concerts were among the series of grave mistakes made by Harris. Deborah Mattinson, who played a crucial role in Sir Keir Starmer's landslide victory in the UK, concluded that such events further alienated the Democrats from their core supporters. The shaken party now faces the urgent need for a fundamental and complete overhaul. At the heart of this rebuilding must be a focus on the fears and aspirations of low-income workers if the Democrats hope to win them back.

These huge rallies with celebrities gave an impression of excessive positivity and celebration. To those struggling to make ends meet with multiple jobs, such an atmosphere felt jarring and out of touch. Irritation with Harris's celebrity endorsements repeatedly surfaced in Mattinson's post-election focus groups. One Democrat-turned-Trump voter expressed the view that the party seemed to be catering only to the "phoney elite and actors." Another voter simply advised the Democrats to "stop hanging out with celebrities."

Closing Month Campaign Blitz

In the closing months of her campaign, Harris rolled out a series of ever-larger names, sharing the stage with renowned singers like Beyoncé, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga, as well as the billionaire former talk show host Oprah Winfrey. The aim was to replicate the enthusiasm seen in Barack Obama's campaigns. However, this approach did not resonate with the working-class voters who were the Democrats' traditional base.

Despite the efforts to bring in these high-profile celebrities, the Democrats continued to lose support among non-college-educated voters, where Trump achieved a significant 23-point lead. Mattinson emphasized that the Democrats need massive change and that little tweaks will not be sufficient. It requires a hard level of introspection and a reorientation towards the concerns of working-class voters.

Post-Election Focus Group Insights

In stark contrast to Harris's ominous warnings about a second Trump presidency, working-class voters in Mattinson's post-election focus groups expressed a sense of "relief" upon Trump's victory. They were worried about a continuation of the economic struggles they faced under Joe Biden and the perceived issue of open borders. Another significant factor was the perception that Trump would be a stronger leader.

When asked to describe the candidates in terms of drinks, a voter in Nevada likened Trump to "a neat whisky — strong and he gives it to you straight." Harris, on the other hand, was compared to "a watered-down cocktail — weak." These perceptions highlight the disconnect between the candidates and the voters.

Rebuilding Plan

On Tuesday, Mattinson unveiled a plan for the Democrats to rebuild with seven key tasks. Alongside focusing on working-class voters and better reflecting the national mood, the plan calls for the party to center on the economy, end wokeness, and speak common sense. It also emphasizes the need for strong and pragmatic leadership and the demonstration of patriotism by putting American interests first. Additionally, efforts are being made to make government more effective.

The PPI's founder and chief executive, Will Marshall, endorsed the analysts' findings and called for a showdown within the party. He emphasized that there has to be a tangible demonstration of change, not just empty promises. Waiting for a few years and hoping for Trump's mistakes to work in their favor is not a viable strategy.