Axelrod: Celebrities endorsing Harris a ‘useful exercise’

Democratic strategist David Axelrod commented on Vice President Harris’s campaigning strategies, describing her use of celebrity endorsements as a “useful exercise.”  

“At this point, you’re trying to energize people to come out and vote,” he said in a CNN appearance Thursday night. “Celebrities do help in attracting people and attracting attention. They’re delivering the ‘get out the vote’ message.”

Harris has been joined by a variety of celebrities on the campaign trail. Bruce Springsteen, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson and Tyler Perry appeared at her rally in Georgia on Thursday night, lending her their support. She’s also received endorsements from a multitude of other celebrities since President Biden exited the race in July, including George Clooney, Eva Longoria and Taylor Swift.

Both Swift and “Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker drew on Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) “childless cat lady” comments in their endorsements for Harris, as Swift is a self-proclaimed cat lover, and Parker played one on TV.

In the latest celebrity campaign development, Beyoncé is reportedly set to join Harris at her rally in Houston on Friday. It is not yet known if the Houston-born singer will be performing at the rally.

Axelrod noted that in swing states such as Georgia, celebrity endorsements can help launch the vice president’s campaign forward and play a key role in a potential victory.  

“She needs an insurance policy against a chip in the ‘blue wall,’ and I think Georgia is a is a prime, prime possibility for her,” he said, referring to the possibility Harris loses at least one of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Michigan. “I think that race is winnable.”