Here’s what Harris needs to do in the closing weeks of the election

This is an adapted excerpt from the Oct. 23 episode of “Way Too Early with Jonathan Lemire.”

With less than two weeks until Election Day, the Harris campaign isn’t projecting an image of overconfidence. As the young folks might say, they’re being very demure and very mindful about not appearing as if Vice President Kamala Harris has this race in the bag. 

However, I know a lot of Democrats out there are confident about Harris’ chances. They see so much energy on their side and wonder if the polls may be failing to tell the full story. They point to the record early-voting numbers we’re seeing this election cycle — 21 million people have already cast their ballots. However, those early votes are not all from Democrats and, as we know, even more people will cast their ballot on Election Day. 

The campaign knows this race is going to be close: That’s why they’re applying a “both/and” not an “either/or” strategy. We’ve seen the vice president reach out to Republican voters who may be hesitant to cast their ballots for Donald Trump. If Harris wins, those voters are going to be a key part of her coalition.

But base Democratic voters are also an essential part of a winning coalition for Harris. The vice president can’t win the White House with just the support of some Republican, moderate or independent voters. She needs the support of all those groups.

Now, I know a lot of people may question, especially at this point in the race, if undecided voters even exist. But they’re out there. I’m a fellow at Georgetown University, and one of my students told me about her experience knocking on doors in rural Pennsylvania this past weekend. She spoke to voters who were still unsure which candidate would have their support on Election Day. What Harris does in these final weeks could make a difference for them.

In this final sprint, the vice president can’t leave anything on the field. Harris must continue to do the work to reach all the voters in her coalition. And come Election Day, we’ll see if the American people feel what she’s putting down.