Axelrod says “upscale” NC Harris voters will find a way to vote after the storm and isn’t sure about rural Trump fans

David Axelrod, a former senior Obama adviser, argued that Vice President Kamala Harris’ voters will be smart enough to navigate the election after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, while he said Trump voters will have a harder time in rural areas to take part in the elections.

Axelrod made the claim in an episode of his podcast “Hacks on Tap” that aired Wednesday, predicting that liberal voters in Asheville, North Carolina — a predominantly blue area in the state — are more likely to “find a way to vote ” as conservatives in the aftermath of the storm.

Describing Asheville as a “blue dot” in the state, he continued: “These voters in Asheville are – you know, the kind of voters who are going to find a way to vote. You know, they’re upscale, “kind of liberal voters, and they’ll probably find a way to vote,” Axelrod said.

PANTHERS OWNERS DONATE $3 MILLION TO HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF; BUCS ALSO ARE 7 NUMBERS

Political analyst David Axelrod recently suggested that “upscale” liberal voters in Asheville, North Carolina, will have a better chance of turning out after Hurricane Helene than rural Trump voters. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He continued, explaining that after the destruction of their homes and communities, rural conservatives may no longer be as resourceful in finding ways to vote.

“I’m not sure a bunch of these people whose homes and lives have been destroyed elsewhere in western North Carolina – in the mountains there – are going to be easily won over to the Trump campaign,” the political commentator surmised.

“I don’t know how this will all play out, but it’s an unpredictable element in North Carolina that may have made it a little more interesting,” he reflected.

Communities in North Carolina – the second most rural state in the country, according to Axelrod – were hit particularly hard by the effects of Hurricane Helene. Catastrophic flooding has destroyed roads and bridges, preventing communities from receiving much-needed assistance.

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More than 70 people have now been confirmed dead in North Carolina, and hundreds of people remain missing due to a lack of power and communications access.

As of Thursday, the death toll in the six states hardest hit by Helene – Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee – stands at 170. Emergency response teams fear that number will rise as they regain access Isolated communities sustained by the storm.

Rescue missions are underway in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene caused “historic” flooding and landslides

Scott Richardson inspects his collapsed and destroyed home after Helene on September 28 in Boone, North Carolina. (Reuters/Jonathan Drake)

Several prominent X users commented on Axelrod’s political assessment.

Clay Travis, founder of OutKick.com, wrote: “On his podcast, @davidaxelrod says Democratic voters in Asheville, North Carolina are smarter, wealthier and will still vote for Kamala, while he believes Trump voters will won’t do. This is why Kamala and Biden are not helping, they are profiting from the disaster.”

Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway commented: “I fear Axelrod’s argument is why Harris and Biden are letting these people drown.”

Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce criticized Axelrod for his opinion, asking, “Did you know that famed Democratic activist David Axelrod thinks urban Democrats are smarter, more resourceful and will figure out how to vote while stupid Trump is up in the polls.” Bergen of North Carolina regrets who?” He just lost everything, right? Was he about to laugh?”

Reporter and commentator Drew Hernnadez stated: “David Axelrod says Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina who are Trump voters will have a hard time voting in the 2024 election. They hate you.”

Bailee Hill of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.

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