Analysts weigh in on Kamala’s 2020 progress

A bump in national polls is not going to give U.S. Sen. and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris a win in New Hampshire, where voters are still kicking the tires on her campaign, analysts said.

“At this stage of the game, it’s all about just building a foundation … so when that opportunity arises, to capitalize on a pivotal moment in the campaign, the foundation is there,” Michael Dennehy, a New Hampshire political consultant, said. “That’s what I think Kamala Harris is lacking in New Hampshire right now.”

Harris saw a bump nationally in fundraising and polling after her takedown of former Vice President Joe Biden last month in a Democratic primary debate over his handling of racial issues including past dealings with segregationalists and the topic of school busing. She is polling fourth in New Hampshire behind Biden and U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, according to polling data gathered by FiveThirtyEight.

Former New Hampshire Democratic Party chairwoman Kathy Sullivan said Harris is increasing her staff numbers in New Hampshire and making the state a priority for her campaign.

“I still think the polls aren’t totally telling the tale,” she said. “I know that a lot of people in New Hampshire want to see her.”

Democratic strategist Scott Ferson also believes Harris is making a strong push in the Granite State, but doesn’t believe the state is a “must-win” for her. Ferson said he was impressed with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker who also made an appearance in New Hampshire this weekend.

“Voters in New Hampshire know Biden, know Bernie and are familiar with Warren, but less so with Booker, Harris and Beto (O’Rourke),” he said. “I think they’re kicking the tires on those three.”

Should Harris win the Democratic nomination for 2020, Dennehy believes she would struggle in New Hampshire against Trump. In 2016, Hillary Clinton bested Trump by just 2,700 votes in the general election.

“I think (Harris) would be one of the weaker candidates,” he said. “She is way too quick to throw out the gender and race card. I think people are tired of the nastiness that she illustrated with Joe Biden.”

Ferson and Sullivan suggested Harris would be a strong nominee against Trump, although they said any Democratic candidate would perform well against the president in 2020.

Dennehy cited Harris’ liberal policies, including being in favor of Medicare for all and higher taxes.

“New Hampshire remains a very fiscally conservative right-of-center state,” Dennehy said, “so I do believe Kamala Harris’ liberal past, her record in the Senate, ultimately, would favor Donald Trump in his re-election.”