Axelrod: Trump ‘pretty substantial favorite’ over Harris

Democratic strategist David Axelrod says he believes former President Trump is still a “pretty substantial favorite” in November’s election, even as excitement builds among Democrats about Vice President Harris’s campaign.

“I still rate him a, you know, pretty substantial favorite in this race just because of the electoral challenges,” Axelrod said Tuesday on his “Hacks on Tap” podcast.

The podcast hosts lauded President Biden’s decision to suspend his campaign. Biden announced Sunday that he would step aside, endorsing Harris, who is on track to become the Democratic Party’s nominee.

After the announcement, Axelrod said Biden’s decision was “sad” but “necessary.” He had been one of the more prominent Democratic voices calling on Biden to suspend his campaign.

Harris says she looked forward to earning the nomination, as Democrats such as Axelrod worry a “coronation” would not play well.

Still, Harris has secured enough delegates to earn the Democratic nomination, has received endorsements from top Democratic lawmakers, and online support and donations have been through the roof.

With all eyes on the vice president, questions have risen about whom she would choose as a running mate.

“It’s the first presidential decision you make, and it’s a signal about how you’re gonna govern, and there’s a list of people out there. I honestly think that there are two most serious candidates on it and one is Gov. [Josh] Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and the other is Mark Kelly the senator from Arizona,” Axelrod said.

Harris leads Trump by 2 points in one of the first polls done after Biden dropped out. The survey found Harris with 44 percent support to Trump’s 42 percent.

The Trump campaign’s pollster predicted Harris will get a bump in the polls after the announcement excitement but that it will settle down.