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Kamala Harris: Speaking Out and Making an Impact
Kamala Harris has an important message for the United States of America, and it seems that we may soon be seeing numerous T-shirts, buttons, and signs bearing her words.
Last week, I embarked on a long drive from West Virginia to Wisconsin and back, a trip that took me through nine states with varying political allegiances. Trump signs were ubiquitous across my travels, yet, not a single piece of Biden-Harris merchandise was visible.
Trump’s Unmatched Political Merchandising
During my travels, not only did I see yard signs, but also large flags and eye-catching lawn displays epitomizing individuals’ fervid support for Donald Trump. This substantial disparity in visible support makes us question if Kamala Harris can start to fill this gap.
Trump’s popularity as a political merchandise seller is unrivaled. There are Trump pop-up stores scattered across American towns. Many of these store owners started their ventures by trailing Trump rallies, similar to how merchandise vendors used to follow the Grateful Dead.
The Personal Connection Trump Supporters Have
Trump supporters feel a very personal connection with Trump, a factor that is noticeably absent amongst Biden supporters, even if they believe Biden is an effective president. Could this be different for Kamala?
To gauge the potential response, I did some research on Amazon. Since Kamala’s announcement a few days ago, several “Harris 2024” T-shirts sold over 1,000 units within a month. For context, the most popular Biden-Harris shirt topped at 300 for the entire month.
Kamala Harris’s Emerging Slogan and Campaign
Despite lagging compared to Trump merchandise, this is a promising start for Kamala Harris, one her campaign would undoubtedly aim to build on. Barack Obama was the last Democrat to leave a significant merchandise footprint, proving it is achievable.
Kamala’s campaign seems to be brewing a theme. Many of the top-selling merchandise items feature the phrase “I’m Speaking,” a nod to Kamala’s rebuttal to Mike Pence during the 2020 vice-presidential debate.
Labeling a strong black woman speaking truth to power, her campaign is expected to resonate with tales of battling racism and sexism, all while dismantling white privilege. As appealing as it may be for Democrats, this slogan is more likely than not to be off-putting for conservatives. However, they will need to adapt, as Democrats will aim to make it as commonplace as the red “MAGA” baseball cap.
Wearing Political Ambitions on Sleeves
As political affiliations become more visibly represented on individuals’ attire, hopes are high for maintaining civility. One poignant electronic billboard stuck with me during my journey: a tribute to Corey Comparatore, who was tragically killed attending a political rally.
The billboard reads: “In loving memory, of a special man who gave everything for his family, beliefs, and country!” This is a sign that all Americans should see: a reminder of respect, harmony, and the unity of a nation with diverging political beliefs.
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