Anita Dunn tasked with revamping Kamala Harris’s image.
Anita Dunn tasked with revitalizing Kamala Harris’s image ahead of 2024 elections
Anita Dunn, one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes figures in the Biden White House, has been given the challenging assignment of revitalizing Vice President Kamala Harris’s image ahead of the 2024 elections. According to a CNN profile, this may be easier said than done based on polling and Harris’s low-key performance to date.
“It’s no secret the vice president has trailed the president’s approval ratings consistently, and Biden’s ratings aren’t high,” said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. “No doubt the eventual GOP nominee for the White House will use Biden’s age and point to Harris saying, ‘You are really electing her.’ So getting her approval numbers up would help Biden.”
Dunn, who is the senior adviser to the White House behind many of its communications strategies, including “MAGA Republican” and the “Dark Brandon” meme, is married to President Joe Biden’s personal lawyer, Bob Bauer. Although she isn’t well known outside of the Beltway, the Biden administration’s willingness to trust her with tough assignments speaks to the president’s respect for her work.
The Dilemma for Harris and Dunn
Harris has often underwhelmed as vice president, with approval ratings lower than those of her boss, reports of frequent staff turnover, and a light schedule that includes many days with no public events. Sabato says there’s no one better or more experienced than Dunn, though the job won’t be easy, and not just because of Harris-specific issues.
“The job does not lend itself to full makeovers, which will be the main dilemma for Harris and Dunn.”
Rehabilitating Harris’s image will be crucial not just for her own political future but for Biden as well. Republican presidential candidates are already focusing on Harris and her unpopularity, wondering aloud if she’s ready to take over for a president who would be 86 at the end of his second term.
According to the Washington Post, Dunn wants Harris to continue talking about abortion as well as infrastructure spending, which are far friendlier topics for Democratic voters than illegal immigration.
Goldstein’s Observations
Saint Louis University law professor Joel Goldstein argues that Harris has actually been rather involved in the Biden White House but isn’t getting credit for it.
“Harris has been a very active and visible spokesperson regarding a number of critical issues, such as reproductive rights, climate change, gun violence, and inclusivity, and yet some seem unaware of those important activities,” Goldstein, who is an expert on the vice presidency, said. “And she has taken on significant international roles, such as speaking and engaging at the Munich conferences during her second and third years, her trip to Africa, three trips to Asia, yet many seem unaware of these activities or others like them.”
The hosts of The View made similar observations in a recent episode, with some saying her unpopularity boils down to racism and sexism. While Goldstein doesn’t necessarily promote that view, he thinks there’s plenty of substance for Dunn to work with.
- Task: Revitalize Kamala Harris’s image ahead of the 2024 elections
- Challenges: Low approval ratings, light schedule, and frequent staff turnover
- Strategy: Focus on friendlier topics for Democratic voters such as abortion and infrastructure spending
- Expert Opinion: Harris has been active and visible on critical issues, but many seem unaware of her activities
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