Kamala Harris' 'top cop' persona draws in some never-Trump Republicans who vow 'we're not going back'

WASHINGTON, DC:Kamala Harris's rise as the Democratic presumptive nominee for the 2024 race, backed by President Joe Biden's endorsement, has reignited support from influential groups, including Wall Street power brokers, Hollywood celebrities, progressives, and Biden aides.

Surprisingly, Harris's bid for the Democratic ticket has attracted a coalition aimed at preventing Donald Trump from returning to the White House. The "never-Trumpers," a group of Republicans, are rallying behind the vice president despite their differing political ideologies.

Biden, with over a decade of experience as vice president under Barack Obama and as the current POTUS, aimed to pass the torch to a moderate. Now, anti-Trump Republicans are considering whether his choice will resonate with them in Washington.

Never-Trump Republicans embrace Kamala Harris' presidential bid

Besides backing from prominent Democratic allies, including the Clintons and Obamas, Harris, a California top cop, received a notable endorsement from the Republican side less than a week into her presidential bid.

Former Georgia Lt Gov Geoff Duncan, a GOP member, endorsed the ex-Biden running mate for president on July 24, highlighting his opposition to Trump.

Duncan, who was in the office while the former president accused Georgia of election fraud following the 2020 election, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "I'm committed to beating Donald Trump. The only vehicle left for me to do that with is the Democratic Party. If that requires me to vote for, speak for, or endorse @KamalaHarris ,then count me in!"

Reiterating his support in a recent podcast interview, the Republican claimed that a potential Trump victory would lead to "real issues" for the party.

Another Republican, ex-New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, who backed the incumbent in 2020, declared her full support for Harris.

“It’s a totally different race, and the idea of a prosecutor against a convicted felon is a very appealing one from an ad point of view,” said Whitman, who established a third party in 2022, according to NBC News.

Notably, Harris, who has years of experience as a prosecutor in California, would be running against Trump, who became the first former president to be a convicted felon after his guilty verdict in the New York hush money trial in May.

The world would witness the prosecutor vs convicted felon face-off only if she successfully secured the nomination at next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Former Rep. Christopher Shays, another never-Trump Republican from Connecticut, also threw his support behind the new Democrat White House hopeful, emphasizing Harris' recent remark about knowing "Trump's type" people.

“I loved her line: ‘I’m a prosecutor. I know how to deal with people like Donald Trump," the ex-GOP lawmaker said. "She didn’t say Donald Trump’s a hateful, despicable man — ugly. She didn’t have to."

“I just love everything she’s done so far,” Shays praised Harris, stating, “She doesn’t speak for an hour and a half, and she nails it. We’re not going back.”

Donald Trump's past actions may boost support for Kamala Harris

Harris, 59, a much younger rival for Donald Trump, 78, unlike his former 81-year-old Democratic opponent, jumped into center stage, winning key Democratic endorsement and fundraising within hours of Biden's announcement last week.

According to longtime GOP strategist and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson, the Republicans enjoyed five weeks of good luck, but that streak ended on Sunday, July 21.

He further noted that the GOP, whose campaign was built around a "young versus old" strategy, had no Plan B, giving a strategic advantage to the vice president.

Wilson added Trump himself would boost support for his likely opponent. “He’s going to do a lot of the work for her,” the anti-Trumper said. “The fundamental of this race has not changed. The fundamental is still, ‘This is a referendum on Donald Trump.’”

To sway voters further into Harris's camp, Republican Voters Against Trump, an anti-Trump group, launched a new ad campaign targeting swing state voters.

The campaign underscores Trump's actions related to the January 6, 2022, Capitol riot, his multiple court cases, threats of revenge and retribution against opponents, and his warning to exit NATO.

John Conway, the director of strategy for Republican Voters Against Trump, believes that while Harris's prosecutor background may have been a drawback in the 2020 Democratic primary, it is now an asset.

"The country is in the mood for a candidate with her background who can go on the offense against Donald Trump," he said regarding the 2024 election.

What are the risks awaiting Kamala Harris in her race against Trump?

Although Kamala Harris could attract more moderates by reintroducing herself, some pitfalls could damage her race.

According to Shays, the influx of migrants at the southern border could negatively impact the vice president who was appointed to manage the situation.

Her role as "border czar" failed to live upto expectations due to the lack of necessary measures to curb illegal migration, which skyrocketed in recent years.

“Immigration is a liability,” noted Shays. “It’s the one challenge she has.” He added Harris would tackle the crisis “and pursues common sense.”

In addition, her vice presidential pick would play a significant role in retaining the never-Trump Republicans. Choosing a moderate would be the safe way for Harris since Trump went all MAGA in picking a conservative, JD Vance, who is already in hot water over his past remarks against childless women.

“She’s got to pick a moderate,” asserted Amanda Stewart Sprowls, an ex-Nikki Haley supporter from Arizona.

Whitman similarly commented that a "solid" VP choice would allow her to defend herself less and ward off criticism.