With only three weeks remaining in the presidential campaign, Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, is dedicating the majority of her time to rallying support in the crucial “blue wall” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Her primary objective is to prevent a recurrence of Hillary Clinton’s defeat in these states during the previous election cycle.
Throughout the rest of the week, Harris maintains a relentless pace. On Thursday, she is set to host three events in Wisconsin, which includes a meet-and-greet session with students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The following day, she will continue her campaign trail with three more events in Michigan. Finally, on Saturday, Harris will be campaigning in Detroit.
Joel Benenson, a Democratic pollster, emphasized the importance of not taking those states for granted and acknowledged that the candidate, in this case, she, is fully aware of that.
During the election, he was the chief strategist for Clinton. However, the campaign became overconfident and stopped conducting its own polls in the Midwest battlegrounds.
Benenson acknowledged that in 2016, the campaign made a critical mistake by neglecting the crucial “blue wall” states, which ultimately led to their loss.
Time is the most valuable resource for any candidate, and Harris’ schedule reflects the general agreement on her best chance of winning the White House.
According to Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, while it may not be the only path, it is the easiest path to victory.
“If you can’t win Pennsylvania or Michigan, do you really think you can win Georgia or North Carolina?” she asked.
According to an Associated Press tracking of candidates’ public events, Pennsylvania and Michigan have been the most popular destinations for Harris since Labor Day, with a total of eight stops in each state.
During the event in Washington Crossing, a voter expressed their belief that Democrats had learned the consequences of complacency through firsthand experience.
“In 2016, we were under the impression that we had everything under control,” expressed Melanie Woods, a retired school principal who traveled from Brooklyn. “However, the events that unfolded have taught us the importance of never taking anything for granted.”
According to Dan Kanninen, the battleground states director for the Harris campaign, Vice President has several different ways to secure a victory.
“We are aware that all seven battleground states are up for grabs, and it’s evident that the competition will be extremely tight,” he remarked. “For this reason, we are committed to actively connecting with and rallying voters in each of these states until Election Day.”
While on her campaign trail, Harris is carefully selecting strategic locations to discuss important policies. For instance, she is emphasizing the promotion of auto jobs and union membership in Detroit. Additionally, she made a visit to Douglas, Arizona, where she unveiled her plans to establish stricter regulations for immigrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. During her visit, she walked alongside the imposing wall that separates the two countries, highlighting the significance of this issue.
According to a memo written by Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon in late July, Vice President Harris is entering a close race. However, it is evident that she has the ability to unite a diverse group of voters, which will help maintain the competitiveness of a wide range of states.
However, it is important to note that certain states hold more significance than others.
“You secure Pennsylvania, and you become the next president,” Senator John Fetterman declared during Harris’ rally in Erie.
After attending the Al Smith charity dinner in New York on Thursday, he makes his way back to Detroit on Friday.
During his previous visit to the city, there was a significant backlash as he openly criticized its current state. Despite the fact that the city has been making a comeback after facing years of financial difficulties.
In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump expressed his concerns about the potential outcome if she were to become president, comparing it to the situation in Detroit. He stated, “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president.”
Tommey Walker, the founder and owner of the clothing company Detroit vs. Everybody, criticized Trump for belittling his city while introducing Harris at an event on Tuesday.
“Let the battle begin: Detroit takes on Donald Trump,” declared Walker triumphantly.
Harris, on the other hand, spoke about the city with great admiration. She fondly remembered the connections she made with students from Detroit during her time at Howard University.
“I can’t help but feel a strong connection every time I visit Detroit,” expressed Harris.
