<p class="p1"><span class="s1">After a surge of support that could have made her a true contender in the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris has now dropped below Pete Buttigieg into fifth place.</span></p>
<p>Recent polls show her with a national average of just<span class="s1"> 5%, down from over 15% in the RealClearPolitic average. Biden is still in the lead with 28%, though Elizabeth Warren has eclipsed him in a few polls.</span></p>
<p>Warren&#8217;s increase in popularity may have something to do with Harris&#8217; struggles, notes CNN: <span class="s1">“Warren’s rise over the past three months tracks pretty closely with Harris’ fall. When Harris announced for president, she was the one with the big crowds and all the excitement. That candidate is Warren now.”</span></p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Other reasons for Harris&#8217; decline include: </span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="s1">Her back-and-forth comments on healthcare</span></li>
<li><span class="s1">Her failure to attend a CNN forum on climate change</span></li>
<li><span class="s1">Her failure to follow through with her attacks on Biden (she eventually agreed with him that federal busing should be an option for schools but not ordered for desegregation)</span></li>
<li>Her poor performance at this month&#8217;s debate in Houston</li>
<li>Her failure to present a clear message to voters</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Days after the debate in Houston, Harris announced changes to her campaign schedule that will have her spending much more time in early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Her campaign is planning to add 10 additional offices and more than 60 full-time employees to its organizing staff in Iowa. </span><span class="s1">Harris spent three days there this week and plans to visit the state at least once a week next month.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">“I’m f—ing moving to Iowa,” she told one colleague. </span></strong></p>
<p>At least one Iowa poll conducted this month shows her in sixth place in the state.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Author’s Note: </span></strong><span class="s1">Harris is a determined woman, but she isn’t stupid. If her polling averages doin&#8217;t improve by the end of the year, I predict she will drop out of the race. </span></p>