Staff Reports
The political climate surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a nosedive reminiscent of a plane in a tailspin, thanks in large part to a recent interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. In a performance that could best be described as a masterclass in how not to handle tough questions, the vice president has lost considerable ground in political betting markets. Former President Donald Trump now boasts a staggering lead of over 20 points against Harris—a number that should make any political strategist weep, assuming they still have a shred of integrity left to shed tears.
According to the betting figures, more than six out of ten wagers are now backing Trump for a November victory. This growing confidence in Trump stands as a clear indictment of Harris after she seemingly fumbled her chance to shine in a tough media environment. While she was supposed to strut her stuff, the interview devolved into chaos, complete with Harris’s staff engaging in a frantic game of “how low can we go” as they hurried her in late and slashed time from the interview. As the curtain closed on that debacle, Baier noted off-camera chaos, with staffers flailing their arms in a desperate attempt to end the sit-down. Apparently, there’s no greater indictment of a candidate than her own crew wanting the interview over as quickly as possible.
Sums up how every American feels about Kamala and @BretBaier just exposed her.
Kamala: “You know what I’m talking about.”
Bret: “I actually don’t. What are you talking about?”This interview is sealing her rate — Kamala will lose. pic.twitter.com/w2vsdd4GzC
— Mehek Cooke🇺🇸 (@MehekCooke) October 16, 2024
The betting markets reflect this dismal reality for Harris. Trump now has a whopping 61.7% chance of victory, while Harris limps behind at a mere 38.1%. Just a week ago, Harris was barely leading Trump by 0.2%, a fleeting moment of delirium for her supporters that has now vanished faster than a snowball in a sauna. The cash flow tells the story too, with over $600 million wagered on Trump’s chances versus a paltry $400 million on Harris, revealing where public sentiment lies.
Harris was supposed to reignite enthusiasm as the Democrats’ shining star, but since she entered the race, it has been a rollercoaster of confusion and mismanagement. Following a disastrous Democratic National Convention, bettors have increasingly doubted her competency. And let’s not forget her lengthy hiatus from the national press or her refusal to take Trump up on his original invitation for a debate on Fox News. Someone might want to tell her that avoiding media scrutiny is not a winning strategy in a democracy.
Recent polling evidence points to an irrefutable truth: Trump is clicking on all cylinders and expanding his lead rapidly. A recent poll from Fox News showed Trump ahead of Harris by 2 points among likely voters, aligning perfectly with the sentiment across multiple swing states. Trump’s leads of 68-32% in Arizona, 64-36% in Georgia, and 63-37% in North Carolina paint a picture of a candidate who is drawing supporters like bees to honey. In Pennsylvania—historically a must-win for Democrats—Trump holds a significant 10-point lead. The only glimmer of hope for Harris might be in Nevada, where she barely clings to a 51-49% advantage, although even that is teetering on the edge as Trump gains ground there.
Harris and her supporters may want to prepare their defenses when faced with this mounting evidence of discontent. Trump’s lead in the betting markets is an unmistakable sign that the American people are losing faith in the Harris campaign. If the vice president hopes to turn this ship around, she might want to ditch the late arrivals and hand-waving crew and come up with a strategy that welcomes scrutiny rather than avoiding it. Otherwise, it could be a long, cold winter for the Democratic ticket.
