Pollster Frank Luntz expressed concerns that President Joe Biden’s comments about former President Donald Trump’s supporters could harm Vice President Kamala Harris’s election campaign. Biden’s remarks, made in response to a comedian’s joke at a Trump rally, appeared to refer to Trump supporters as “garbage.” Luntz criticized Biden for endorsing his vice president and making such comments, suggesting that they could alienate voters. The President later clarified his remarks on X, stating that he viewed the demonization of Latinos as “garbage.” Trump responded to Biden’s comments by stating that a president cannot hate the American people.
Luntz compared Biden’s comments to Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” remarks in 2016, suggesting that they could drive up turnout for Trump in the 2024 election. He noted that there were still undecided voter blocks, such as working-class individuals in Pennsylvania and Latino voters, who could be influenced by the candidates’ statements. Harris, in response to the backlash, emphasized that she is for all Americans, regardless of who they support. Luntz highlighted that undecided voters, especially men in their 40s and 50s, could play a crucial role in the election, as they may feel alienated by the Democratic Party.
The vice president’s campaign did not respond to Newsweek’s request for comment on the matter. Luntz suggested that the next few days would be critical for both candidates in terms of appealing to undecided voters. He pointed out that while Trump may offend some of these voters, Harris’s positions on key issues, such as immigration, could also be divisive. Harris has focused on attracting working women voters who do not trust Trump, but Luntz indicated that this group may not be the deciding factor in the election. Instead, he emphasized that men in their 40s and 50s, who may feel abandoned by the Democratic Party, could sway the outcome of the election.
Overall, Luntz’s analysis highlighted the potential impact of Biden’s comments on the upcoming election and the importance of appealing to undecided voters. He suggested that Trump’s ability to mobilize his base and Harris’s challenges with undecided voters could be crucial factors in determining the outcome of the election. The candidates’ ability to address voters’ concerns and articulate clear positions on key issues, such as immigration, could play a significant role in shaping voter opinions and ultimately deciding the results of the 2024 election.
