Kamala's Misguided Attempt to Connect with Gen Z

In a recent tweet, singer Charli XCX referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as a "brat" following her nomination as the presidential candidate to replace President Joe Biden. The term, popular among younger audiences, particularly resonates with the LGBTQ+ community and reflects a cultural moment tied to Charli's own album, which explores themes of youth and anxiety. However, the use of "brat" may not be entirely flattering, suggesting a lack of seriousness or maturity. Polling data indicates that Harris is struggling to connect with young voters, performing worse against Donald Trump than Biden did in the 2020 election. CNN analyst Harry Enten highlights that young Democrats are not significantly more motivated to vote following Biden's exit, raising concerns about Harris's appeal among this demographic. Despite some recent polling suggesting Harris may perform better with young and Hispanic voters compared to Biden, the overall sentiment among youth remains skeptical. A report from Change Research reveals that while young voters generally feel negative about politics, there has been a slight increase in hopefulness since June. This suggests that young people may be more excited about Harris's candidacy than previously thought, potentially leading to higher voter turnout. In a show of support, both Barack and Michelle Obama have endorsed Harris, although the campaign video featuring their endorsement has been described as somewhat awkward. As the election approaches, the dynamics of youth engagement and voter sentiment will be crucial for Harris's campaign.