Republicans for Harris launches, aiming for Biden-like appeal to anti-Trump voters

CNN —

The group known as Republicans for Biden is officially relaunching Sunday as Republicans for Harris, and aides on the revamped Democratic campaign are hoping that a much different candidate will be able to deliver on what had been a key part of Joe Biden’s electoral promise.

The rollout will include outreach from Republicans to Republicans, targeted ads and themed events as aides aim to convince voters that Kamala Harris is not a “San Francisco radical” and that Donald Trump and others have changed. In an election that is once again looking tight, the Harris campaign is hoping that Republicans repelled by Trump and independent moderates can help make a difference for the vice president in critical states.

At its core, the latest effort targets Republicans who see Trump as anathema or the kind of existential threat to democracy that would compel them to cross party lines and who had bought into Biden as an acceptable alternative.

Aides who have been shifting from @joebiden.com to @kamalaharris.com email addresses acknowledge now that the outreach to these Republicans had become difficult as confidence in Biden spiraled after his dismal debate performance. A post-debate call with supporters of Trump’s former GOP primary rival Nikki Haley was marked by several expressions of diminished confidence in Biden, another reflection of how deep the president’s problems were, according to one person involved.

US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.'s 60th International Biennial Boule in Houston, Texas, on July 31, 2024. (Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images) US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential