In a surprising revelation, a seasoned GOP operative has asserted that the Republican party would have been more apprehensive about facing Michelle Obama as Donald Trump's adversary in the upcoming November election.
Instead, the Democrats' decision to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris has been deemed a strategic blunder, according to Justin Evans, a long-standing GOP operative.
As reported by Daily Mail, Evans, who served as a director of special projects for Trump's 2024 presidential run and continues to advise the campaign, expressed confidence in the GOP's ability to triumph over Michelle Obama, had she been the nominee. However, he conceded that she would have posed a formidable challenge. "Kamala is a very weak candidate who is closely tied to the White House and Biden agenda," Evans stated, adding, "We dont even need to rewrite the playbook which we wouldve needed to do with someone outside of the direct White House circles like Michelle."
The GOP is gradually coming to terms with the near certainty of Harris, 59, leading the Democratic charge in the November election. Merely three days after President Joe Biden, 81, announced he would not seek a second term, Harris has already secured sufficient delegates to guarantee her place on the ballot. However, Evans views this development as a boon for the campaign to reinstate Trump, 78, as the second president in history to reclaim the White House after an electoral defeat.
Evans argued that Harris's candidacy does not significantly alter the political landscape as other potential candidates might have. "We viewed Biden as dead in the water and think she is as well," he said. He pointed to Harris's extensive political career spanning two decades, during which she served as district attorney for San Francisco, California attorney general, US senator, and vice-president. "Its a record thats filled with a lot of weaknesses," Evans declared.
Evans highlighted several potential vulnerabilities in Harris's political record, including her handling of the border crisis and her perceived concealment of Biden's mental health issues. He also referenced her failed presidential bid, during which she failed to secure a single delegate and withdrew before a vote was cast. Evans also suggested that Harris's past romantic relationships, including an affair with then-Speaker of the California Assembly Willie Brown, could be used against her. "There are no accidents," Evans stated, implying that these issues will be strategically exploited.
Despite Harris's potential appeal to voters of color, Evans believes her past as a hardline prosecutor who incarcerated minor drug offenders, including young African-Americans, could undermine her support. "Her past record on drugs and crime is something thats going to cost her votes with Democrats and especially African-Americans. That will hurt her and its something our side will hit on," he said.
Evans also emphasized the significance of the border issue in mobilizing Republican voters. "We need to keep Republican voters not only engaged but engaged enough to stay motivated to vote they cant be apathetic," he said. He further criticized Harris's political acumen, suggesting that Trump merely needs to let her speak to gain an advantage.
Evans also expressed skepticism about Harris's ability to select a running mate, suggesting that potential candidates with future presidential aspirations may be reluctant to align themselves with a potentially losing campaign. He speculated that Harris might choose Arizonas US Senator Mark Kelly, the former astronaut, as her running mate, given his lack of presidential ambitions for 2028 and his representation of a swing state.
Evans concluded by asserting that the Democrats' decision to nominate Harris has essentially handed the election to the Republicans. "By picking Kamala, the Democrats have forfeited the race," he said. He also suggested that the recent assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has only strengthened the resolve of Trump's supporters to vote for him in November. He believes that the GOP will attract disaffected Democrats who are dissatisfied with the process that led to Harris's nomination and those who feel deceived about Biden's health. "Well also get more voter participation, which is extremely important because apathy is our enemy," he said.
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