Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign is taking a defensive stance as former President Donald Trump makes surprising gains in traditionally Democratic blue states, and the shift comes after Harris failed to see a post-convention boost in support, which has prompted her campaign to reassess its strategy with less than two months remaining before Election Day.

In response to Trump’s unexpected strength in certain key blue states, the Harris campaign is deploying significant resources and top surrogates to defend key territories, signaling a possible retreat from its earlier sense of confidence, as Breitbart reports.

Among those being sent to bolster the effort are Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, who will focus on shoring up support in states like Minnesota and Virginia, where Trump’s polling numbers have narrowed the lead.

The decision to pivot toward defending blue states comes as a surprise to some observers, especially considering the traditional focus on swing states in the final weeks before an election. However, the data has shown that the situation is more precarious than anticipated, with recent polls indicating a tightening race in areas that Democrats typically consider safe.

Trump Gains Momentum in Key Blue States

Trump’s gains have been particularly pronounced in Minnesota and New Hampshire. A KTSP/SurveyUSA poll shows that Harris’s lead in Minnesota has shrunk from ten points to just five. Similarly, an Emerson College/WHDH survey indicates that Harris holds only a slim four-point advantage in New Hampshire, a state that is crucial for her campaign.

In light of these developments, the Harris campaign has made the strategic decision to send the vice president and her top surrogates to these threatened blue states. The move is designed to counteract Trump’s growing momentum and to reassure voters who might be swayed by his recent advances.

This strategy marks a significant change from the planned campaign activities, which initially focused on traditional swing states. The new approach is a clear indication of the seriousness with which the Harris campaign views the threat posed by Trump in these historically Democratic strongholds.

Harris Campaign Faces Challenges on Multiple Fronts

The Harris campaign has had a challenging week, facing not only the need to defend blue states but also backlash from a recent incident involving Gold Star families. This controversy has added to the difficulties facing the campaign, which is working under a tight timeline following President Joe Biden’s collapse and the subsequent assembly of Harris’s team.

The campaign’s struggles were highlighted by an ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday, which showed that Harris did not gain any additional support after formally accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s national convention. The lack of a post-convention “bounce” has further fueled concerns within the campaign.

Despite these setbacks, the Harris campaign is pressing forward with its revised strategy. In addition to Harris’s visits to New Hampshire, the campaign has planned additional blue state visits and fundraising efforts to counteract Trump’s advances.

Key Surrogates Mobilized for Blue State Defense

Walz, arguably Harris’s top surrogate, will be returning to his home state to lead the defense there, and he will be crucial in working to maintain Democratic control in Minnesota, where Trump has significantly narrowed the lead.

Emhoff, Harris’s husband, will focus on fundraising efforts in Virginia, another state where Trump is polling strongly in the 2024 cycle. The campaign believes that bolstering resources in these key areas will help secure much-needed electoral votes in November.

The mobilization of these top surrogates is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the campaign’s presence in blue states, which are now seen as battlegrounds in the upcoming election. This shift underscores the unpredictability of the current political landscape and the need for the Harris campaign to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

Future Campaign Strategies and Adjustments

Looking ahead, the Harris campaign is planning additional adjustments to its strategy, including sending President Joe Biden out on the campaign trail. This move is seen as an effort to leverage Biden’s remaining influence and to galvanize Democratic voters who may be wavering in their support.

The blue state visits follow a weekend of planned swing state events, indicating that the campaign is not abandoning its efforts in those critical areas but is instead broadening its focus to include traditionally safe states that are now under threat.

Harris and Walz previously conducted a joint campaign in Georgia, another state where Democrats are working to maintain their foothold. The decision to focus on both blue and swing states reflects the campaign’s recognition of the challenges it faces on multiple fronts.

Conclusion: A Campaign in Flux as Election Day Approaches

The Harris campaign’s shift to defending blue states marks a significant development in the 2024 election cycle. With Trump making unexpected gains in these traditionally Democratic areas, the campaign has been forced to reassess its strategy and mobilize resources accordingly.

The deployment of top surrogates like Tim Walz and Doug Emhoff, combined with adjustments to the campaign’s overall approach, highlights the seriousness of the challenge posed by Trump’s surge. As Election Day approaches, the Harris campaign will need to continue adapting to the rapidly changing political landscape to maintain its hold on key electoral votes.