Panelists on CNN’s State of the Union clashed Sunday after GOP strategist and senior political commentator David Urban criticized Kamala Harris for what he called a “terrible” week.
Urban highlighted the challenges Harris faces in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
Despite a week filled with media appearances, polls show Harris and former President Donald Trump nearly tied in key battleground states, raising concerns for Democrats.
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Urban pointed to a series of missteps from prominent Democrats, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who faced backlash for releasing a staged video with MSNBC columnist Liz Plank.
In the video, Whitmer was accused of mocking Catholics, which Urban said added to the difficulties Harris had faced throughout the week.
“She had a terrible week. It was a terrible week for the Harris campaign. You had Gretchen Whitmer having to apologize to Catholics across America for mocking them with some Dorito, bizarro Dorito thing on there,” Urban said, also referencing other notable incidents involving Democratic leaders. Urban went on to criticize other Democratic leaders like former President Barack Obama, recalling his 2008 comments where he said people in Pennsylvania “cling to guns and religion.”
Urban’s remarks sparked a heated exchange with Democratic strategist Doug Thornell, who pushed back, defending Harris by pointing out that she released her medical records during the week, a move Thornell framed as a positive contrast to Trump.
“Kamala Harris released her medical records, Trump hasn’t. That was this week,” Thornell stated.
He also criticized Trump for insulting black voters during his recent visit to Detroit and questioned the economic feasibility of Trump’s proposed policies.
Urban quickly dismissed Thornell’s argument, responding, “[Releasing] medical records, that’s the high point of your week? You’re really grasping at straws.”
The conversation then shifted as CNN contributor Scott Jennings weighed in, criticizing the Democrats’ overall handling of issues related to voter confidence and Harris’ falling poll numbers.
“I don’t think if I were in your party, with all due respect, I wouldn’t want to be arguing about the hiding of medical conditions and medical records, given who the current president of the United States is,” Jennings said, referring to ongoing concerns about President Joe Biden’s health.
Jennings also highlighted the struggles Harris has faced with polling, particularly among African American voters. “Her faves are down. They’re struggling with… African American voters, particularly African American men,” Jennings noted, emphasizing the growing gender gap in voter support.
He added that the Democrats are realizing that many voters believe the party focuses more on social issues, such as gender identity, than on addressing the concerns of male voters. “A lot of men think Democrats care more about dudes who want to become women than dudes who just want to be dudes,” Jennings said, concluding that superficial attempts to win back support, such as video stunts or hunting appeals, wouldn’t fix the deeper issues the party faces.
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As Election Day nears, polling data shows a tight race between Trump and Harris.
A recent NBC News national poll released Sunday found both candidates tied at 48% with only weeks remaining until voters head to the polls.
This tight race in the battleground states has fueled concern among Democrats about Trump’s growing appeal to key voting blocs.
In particular, Trump has made gains among Hispanic and black voters.
A New York Times poll revealed that Trump is outperforming Harris with Hispanic voters by six points compared to President Biden’s 2020 results.
Trump has also increased his support among black voters, receiving 15% support in the latest polling, up from 9% in the previous election.
With just weeks left in the campaign, both candidates are expected to focus heavily on winning over undecided voters in crucial swing states, as the race remains too close to call.
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