A Republican senator told The Hill that Donald Trump is “caught off guard” by Kamala Harris’ strong showing so far and is struggling to find an effective strategy to run against her.
The unnamed senator told the outlet that Trump never believed Joe Biden would step aside and that Democrats would coalesce behind Harris within hours after Biden’s decision.
“I think they were caught off guard. I think they were surprised. I think there was shock when the Democrats revived [their party] really quickly and unified support behind Harris,” the senator said.
“I think she’s more formidable than Republicans give her credit for. It’s going to be a short election. That favors her. It’s going to be sprint. We’re used to these long elections; this one’s going to end up being short. That helps her,” the senator added.
President Biden stepped down from the top of the Democratic ticket last month and endorsed Harris as his replacement.
The move injected new energy in Democrats’ campaign to keep the White House which led to an influx of volunteers and donations.
The Harris campaign announced that it raised $310 million in July, including $200 million in the first five days after Biden stepped aside and endorsed her.
Polls have also shown a much tighter race between Harris and Trump with the VP closing Trump’s lead nationally and wiping out his lead in the crucial battleground states.
