# What could the Harris campaign have done differently? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 6, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798 "2024-11-06T16:37:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/403 "2024-11-26T23:17:07Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > And then get blamed for the resulting economic disaster. That’s a media lie. We give work visas for needed labor. That has nothing to do with deporting people already on a list for deportation. We didn’t have a labor crisis when Trump actively worked to lower the number of people crossing the border. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/404 "2024-11-26T23:19:48Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > That’s a media lie. No, it’s a historical fact. Every time there’s a drive against “illegal immigrants” the work they were doing gets undone, food rots in the field and so forth. And a closed border means no work visas. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/405 "2024-11-26T23:21:17Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > That’s a media lie. speaking of media lies, we never had an open border. Things have been the same pretty much for the past 40 years. The Biden administration intercepted way more people crossing than Trump ever did. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/406 "2024-11-26T23:23:38Z")
Yeah. Trump was interested in cruelty, not effectiveness. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/407 "2024-11-27T00:19:15Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > When she didn’t address the issue in the campaign she signaled her intent to keep the border open. I think I see the problem. She didn’t lie about it like Trump did. The border isn’t something that one single person in one single part of the government fixes by themselves. Kamala knew this and I remember her talking about how the issue could begin to be addressed. She wanted the Congress/Senate to send her specific legislation, legislation that already exists - the border bill that Trump pooh-pooh’d. That bill would start the process of getting more border guards, courts, etc. All the grimy logistics that don’t make for good soundbites but are absolutely necessary if you want actual results. Trump on the other hand, just straight up lies. He says the border was the best when he in charge of it. He says Biden opened it up so millions of Hannibal Lecters could come across and start eating cats and dogs. And when he is back in charge again, he will declare the problem to exist or not exist entirely dependant on who is asking the question. Solving problems like this takes work and that takes focus and dedication which Trump does not have. But his soundbite is so much better. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/408 "2024-11-27T00:24:05Z")
The only closed border is one lined with the military with orders to shoot to kill. Our I guess land mined to the extent that anyone attempting to cross is killed or maimed.Anything short of this will be called open. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/409 "2024-11-27T00:41:05Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > She was referred to as the Border Czar. That was a title given to her In the interests of providing more info: . [“Biden asked Harris to lead diplomatic efforts to reduce poverty, violence and corruption in Central America’s Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as well as engage with Mexico on the issue.](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republicans-call-harris-failed-border-czar-truth-is-more-complicated-2024-07-30/) So her job wasn’t to “keep the border open,” it was to get to the root of the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/410 "2024-11-27T03:55:55Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > That was a title given to her Yes, that’s why I said she was referred as that. [quote=“Love\_Rhombus, post:409, topic:1009798”] In the interests of providing more info: . [“Biden asked Harris to lead diplomatic efforts to reduce poverty, violence and corruption in Central America’s Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as well as engage with Mexico on the issue.](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republicans-call-harris-failed-border-czar-truth-is-more-complicated-2024-07-30/). Per your own cite: Vice President [Kamala Harris](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/kamala-harris/), tasked to deal with the root causes of migration from Central America as illegal border crossings were rising in 2021, immediately ran into the enormity of the mission. > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > So her job wasn’t to “keep the border open,” it was to get to the root of the problem. The President controlled the border. Again, she was thrown under the bus because there was no intent to change the flow of immigrants. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/411 "2024-11-27T05:22:41Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > The President controlled the border. Again, she was thrown under the bus because there was no intent to change the flow of immigrants. In your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/412 "2024-11-27T05:54:03Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > speaking of media lies, we never had an open border. Things have been the same pretty much for the past 40 years. The Biden administration intercepted way more people crossing than Trump ever did. It’s easier to intercept more if more cross the border. The whole point of Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy was for immigrants to remain in Mexico until their court date. People from countries south of Mexico are now going to see the wait involved. This was a significant issue in the election. It spanned all sizes of communities from small villages to major cities. It overwhelmed local resources regardless of location. The issue transcends political affiliations. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/413 "2024-12-06T14:47:56Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > The President controlled the border. Again, she was thrown under the bus because there was no intent to change the flow of immigrants. Yes, the intent was to change the flow of immigrants, by reducing the number leaving their home countries. That’s what it means to address the source. Fewer immigrants reaching the border means fewer crossing the border. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/414 "2024-12-06T21:13:27Z")
Biden had the power of executive action which he didnt use for 3.5 years. Using it at the very last minute didn’t convey people of his intention of controlling illegal immigration. And it certainly was the top issue electorally along with inflation. We as democrats have to acknowledge atleast now the border/immigrant issue handling was bungled and take steps to correct the situation. The people especially in border states (heavily hispanic Texas border counties became much redder this election) have spoken. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/415 "2024-12-06T21:18:25Z")
Blaming Trump for blocking the bill also didnt convince the majority of people…why was it introduced so late and not earlier? Why was executive action not taken to stop the flow of illegal immigrants till the very last minute ? These were the doubts people had wrt the Biden/Harris administration on the border issue. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/416 "2024-12-06T21:35:24Z")
The truth is that the current immigration system keeps prices down, and either a crackdown and/or an effective reform would make prices go up. Of course its both silly and unfair that it works this way, but democrats likely made the calculation that it was better to fail to solve the problem than to actually solve it. American consumers are used to neoliberal prices while decrying the economic forces that lead to them, and Biden actually giving them what they want wouldn’t have led to their support imo. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/417 "2024-12-06T21:36:10Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > Blaming Trump for blocking the bill also didnt convince the majority of people…why was it introduced so late and not earlier? Because crafting legislation on contentious issues so that it will get enough bipartisan support to be passed is difficult and time consuming? ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/418 "2024-12-06T21:44:57Z")
As was widely seen and belatedly acknowledged the stream of incoming illegal immigrants put a huge strain on the resources of cities even in far away(from the border) California and NY…Chicago too. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/419 "2024-12-06T21:45:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Because crafting legislation on contentious issues so that it will get enough bipartisan support to be passed is difficult and time consuming? There was not even an attempt at such a legislation earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/420 "2024-12-06T22:05:33Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It would be easier to redefine the question. What could the Democratic Party have done differently. > > Starting with the Democratic Primary for the 2020 election How did Harris do?. She pulled out in Dec of 2019 without much support. > > Biden vowed to pick a black woman as VP which at best is a condescending criteria. He Chose Harris. Why? > > He then assigns her the task of dealing with the flood of immigrants that he himself created and by doing so throws her under the bus. > > This flood of immigrants dilutes the job market and provides cheap labor at the expense of other people in the market. Union workers, Black and Hispanic people. In other words people in the Democrat base that were considered a given. The Teamsters would not support Harris and Trump was able to siphon off Black and Hispanic voters. > > Biden’s failing mental capacity was hidden by main stream media until it was so painfully obvious in the debate that the party calculated he would fail against Trump. But it was so late in the campaign it paints them into a corner. Now they’re stuck with a candidate that polled worse than Biden in the previous Primary. > > The Democratic Party could have tasked the Media outlets with stories about Biden and forced a Primary to get rid of him. It would be easy to unleash a torrent of “reliable sources” that said Biden was in decline. > > It was not Harris that created this situation, it was the people behind the curtain and a willing Media that did their bidding. In the space of a couple of weeks Biden went from a leading candidate to a doddering old man. That is something that didn’t just happen overnight and it was kept from the public. There was no time to reinvent Harris and she did nothing to distance herself from Biden. Best response yet. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/421 "2024-12-06T22:23:20Z")
There has been some really good analysis regarding the Harris campaign failures in this thread. Why were none of the deficiencies discussed druing the runup to the election? I don’t recall seeing a thread criticizing Harris or her campaign. A casual reader (such as myself) of these boards would have thought that she was the perfect candidate, was running ahead of Trump, was a lock to win, and wasn’t making any mistakes. There were dozens of Trump threads however, criticizing him and his campaign on the daily. Of course hind-sight is 20/20 and all, but after reading this thread is sure sounds like many of you knew there were problems with Harris all along - why were the punches pulled? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798/422 "2024-12-06T22:24:40Z")
Every time Democrats use the phrase “undocumented immigrants”, then no matter how much they attempt to walk it back or qualify their stance afterwards, a large percentage of the country hears “open borders”. In this case the attempt to use terminology to frame the debate backfired, as the public is smarter at smelling propaganda than they’re given credit for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798.md?page=22)