{"id":2315500,"date":"2024-07-29T13:57:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T17:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-has-democrats-optimistic-about-key-southern-state-dont-sleep-on-florida-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T14:00:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:00:33","slug":"kamala-harris-has-democrats-optimistic-about-key-southern-state-dont-sleep-on-florida-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-has-democrats-optimistic-about-key-southern-state-dont-sleep-on-florida-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Kamala Harris has Democrats optimistic about key Southern state: \u2018Don\u2019t sleep on Florida\u2019 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkamala-harris-has-democrats-optimistic-about-key-southern-state-dont-sleep-on-florida-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2315500&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the optimistic outlook among \u2063Democrats regarding Florida&#8217;s electoral prospects, particularly with Vice President Kamala Harris as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/skateboarding-champ-set-to-represent-u-s-in-olympics-charged-for-allegedly-hosting-covid-super-spreader-party-in-l-a\/\" title=\"Skateboarding Champ Set To Represent U.S. In Olympics Charged For Allegedly Hosting COVID \u2018Super-Spreader\u2019 Party In L.A.\">leading candidate<\/a>. Following President Biden&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-teacher-pleads-guilty-after-mailing-white-powder-threats-to-elementary-school-staffers\/\" title=\"Ex-Teacher Pleads Guilty After Mailing White Powder Threats To Elementary School Staffers\">poor performance<\/a> in a\u2064 debate, concerns arose about losing ground in various states. However, Harris&#8217;s candidacy\u200b is seen as a unifying force for the\u2064 Democratic Party, reigniting \u200chopes for an upset in Florida, which has \u2064increasingly\u2063 leaned Republican in recent years. <\/p>\n<p>Key Democratic figures, such as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, emphasize the importance of Florida and North Carolina, suggesting that Harris could invigorate younger and minority voters, thus expanding the Democratic voter base. Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried highlighted \u2062the growing enthusiasm among Florida Democrats, \u2064asserting\u2063 that residents \u200dare eager for change and ready to engage politically.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these optimistic sentiments, polling still shows former \u200cPresident\u2062 Donald Trump \u200cleading over Biden and\u2063 Harris in Florida. Nonetheless, \u2064a notable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-5-ore-counties-vote-on-leaving-state-residents-want-to-detach-from-deep-blue-state-and-join-greater-idaho\/\" title=\"Report: 5 Ore. counties vote on leaving state, residents want to detach from deep blue state and join Greater Idaho\">ballot measure<\/a> on\u2062 abortion is anticipated to influence voter sentiment positively towards Democrats. the article paints a picture of a reinvigorated Democratic effort\u2062 in Florida, driven by Kamala Harris&#8217;s \u200dcandidacy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Kamala Harris has Democrats optimistic about key Southern state: &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t sleep on Florida&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1714813\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>When President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Joe Biden\">Joe Biden<\/a> slipped in the polls after his disastrous debate, several states seemed to be falling out of reach for Democrats, but with Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Kamala Harris\">Kamala Harris<\/a> at the top of the ticket, some Democrats are feeling sunny about their chances in some non-battleground states.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Florida\">Florida<\/a> has steadily headed toward Republicans in recent years, but a ballot measure regarding abortion in November had made Democrats hopeful for an upset in the Sunshine State in the presidential race. But after Biden&rsquo;s poor debate showing, it appeared to slip out of reach. With Harris&rsquo;s ascension apparently uniting the Democratic Party, some are once again dreaming of a Florida upset.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My message is: Don&rsquo;t sleep on Florida, because Kamala&rsquo;s candidacy just woke a sleeping giant,&rdquo; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2024\/07\/28\/kamala-harris-florida-election-00171420\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> <em>Politico<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Wasserman Schultz said the vice president &ldquo;knows Florida&rdquo; and that &ldquo;her supercharged candidacy expands our Democratic map, especially with younger, minority, and women voters who are just now engaging in the race.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3102178\/dnc-chairman-republican-strongholds-in-play-harris-ballot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"echoed\">echoed<\/a> that sentiment during an appearance on MSNBC on Sunday, saying to not &ldquo;sleep&rdquo; on Florida and North Carolina being in play with Harris as the Democratic nominee.<\/p>\n<p>Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said in a statement over the weekend that &ldquo;Florida Democrats are more fired up than ever,&rdquo; and said that Harris &ldquo;has energized the entire Democratic base and inspired millions of people across the country to re-engage in the democratic process.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Count Florida out at your own peril,&rdquo; Fried <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NikkiFried\/status\/1817019462794506515\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">posted<\/a> on X last week. &ldquo;Floridians are tired of being the lab rats for extreme policies and are ready for #somethingnew as we unite to #TakeBackFL.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Former President Donald Trump held a firm advantage over Biden in the polls in Florida, with the <em>RealClearPolitics<\/em> polling average <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/president\/general\/2024\/florida\/trump-vs-biden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"showing\">showing<\/a> the former president leading Biden, 50.8%-44.5%. Harris still trails Trump in Florida, with a Florida Atlantic University <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faupolling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/mainstreet-us-july-post-2024-public.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"poll\">poll<\/a> giving Trump a 49%-44% advantage with likely voters.<\/p>\n<p>Amendment 4, which will have voters decide whether to enshrine abortion through viability into law, has been seen as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3013038\/democrats-believe-abortion-florida-play-november\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"winning issue\">winning issue<\/a> for Democrats, who hope to ride the coattails of the measure to score upset victories in the presidential and Senate races in Florida. The state&rsquo;s 60% threshold for ballot measures, however, makes getting this amendment passed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3060337\/floridas-abortion-ballot-measure-faces-daunting-threshold-in-november\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"daunting\">daunting<\/a> task.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Democrats have also not faired well in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-approves-mail-in-ballots-for-2021-election\/\" title=\"California Approves Mail-In Ballots For 2021 Election\">statewide elections<\/a> in Florida since the turn of the millennium. In presidential elections, Democrats have only won the state two times since 2000, in 2008 and 2012, and in other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/election-overview-virginia-state-house-up-for-grabs-after-two-years-of-democrat-control\/\" title=\"Election Overview: Virginia State House Up for Grabs After Two Years of Democrat Control\">statewide races<\/a> only three Democrats have won four total statewide races in that time. Fried was the most recent Democrat to win a statewide office, when she was elected agriculture commissioner in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>The Cook Political Report has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/ratings\/presidential-race-ratings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"rated\">rated<\/a> Florida as &ldquo;likely Republican&rdquo; in the presidential race.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1714813\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1714813\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kamala Harris is boosting Democratic optimism in a crucial Southern state: &#8216;Don\u2019t underestimate Florida.&#8217; Following President Joe Biden&#8217;s decline in the polls after a poor debate performance, many states appeared to be slipping away from Democratic control. However, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading the ticket, some Democrats are feeling more hopeful about their prospects in traditionally non-competitive states. Although Florida has leaned Republican in recent years, a ballot initiative on abortion scheduled for November has sparked renewed hope among Democrats for an upset victory in the presidential election. Initially, Biden&#8217;s weak debate performance seemed to diminish those chances. Yet with Harris\u2019s rise seemingly unifying the party, some are once again envisioning a potential win in Florida. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) emphasized this sentiment to Politico by stating that &#8220;Florida should not be overlooked,&#8221; as she believes Harris&#8217;s candidacy could energize voters and broaden the Democratic appeal\u2014particularly among younger individuals and minorities who are just beginning to engage politically. This view was echoed by Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison during an MSNBC appearance where he urged people not to dismiss Florida and North Carolina as competitive states with Harris as the nominee. Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, expressed over the weekend that &#8220;Florida Democrats are more energized than ever,&#8221; crediting Harris for inspiring widespread engagement within the party across America. She warned against underestimating Florida\u2019s potential impact: \u201cFloridians are tired of being used as testing grounds for extreme policies and are ready for #somethingnew.\u201d Despite former President Donald Trump holding a significant lead over Biden according to polling averages\u201450.8% to 44.5%\u2014Harris also trails Trump but is close behind at 44% compared to Trump&#8217;s 49%, based on a poll from Florida Atlantic University among likely voters. The upcoming Amendment 4 vote regarding abortion rights is viewed as advantageous for Democrats who hope it will help them achieve unexpected victories in both presidential and Senate races within Florida; however, passing this amendment poses challenges due to its requirement of achieving a 60% approval rate from voters. Historically speaking, Democrats have struggled significantly in statewide elections since 2000; they have only won two presidential elections (2008 and 2012) during that time frame and have seen only three successful statewide candidates overall since then\u2014with Fried being elected agriculture commissioner most recently in 2018. The Cook Political Report currently categorizes Florida as \u201clikely Republican\u201d concerning its presidential race outlook<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2315501,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/kamala-harris-florida-2024-election.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[3685,5113,32438,20262,5894],"class_list":["post-2315500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-democrats","tag-florida","tag-kamala-harris","tag-optimism","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/kamala-harris-florida-2024-election.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2315500"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315500\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315501"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2315500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2315500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2315500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}