1. The burden from Biden
Harris is vice president to President Joe Biden, which she cannot escape. He has historically poor numbers for a sitting president, and was likely a burden for Harris. She has during the election campaign tried to keep a certain distance to the president, but at the same time not said anything about what she would do differently if she sat in his chair, which the Trump camp has attacked her for.
Throughout the entire election campaign, she has not been able to get out of his shadow, says USA expert Erik Åsard.
.
2. Late start to the election campaign
Joe Biden waited a long time before throwing in the towel. This meant that the Democrats quickly had to put all their eggs in the replacement's basket. But building a successful campaign organization is a difficult task, despite Harris being able to boast record collections, massive support within the party ranks, and large crowds at election meetings.
It takes a long time to get the message out. You heard all the time that people didn't know who she was and what she stood for, says Todd Landman, USA expert at the British University of Nottingham.
.
3. Wrong focus
The economy was the most important issue among voters in this year's election, an issue that voters simply think Trump handles better. None of the 22 issues that Gallup asked voters about was considered "extremely important". Issues where Democrats are considered stronger, such as the abortion issue and the climate, did not become as prominent in the election campaign.
It's interesting that the abortion issue didn't have the impact that many thought it would. It could lead to several generations of women not getting the opportunity to have an abortion, says Landman.
.
4. Harris is not particularly popular
More Americans dislike Kamala Harris than like her, according to a compilation by the opinion site Fivethirtyeight. In her role as vice president, she was initially described as invisible, and got the ungrateful task of handling the migration flow at the US southern border, an issue that Donald Trump made one of his profile issues in the election campaign.
.
5. "Wrong" gender and skin color
It's also possible that some Americans simply didn't want to vote for a black woman.
I think there was a perceived unease about her black and Asian origins. I also think I see a strong trend in American politics that simply isn't ready for a woman as president, says Landman.
