With only 16 days left until Election Day, the Democratic governors of the three crucial battleground states of the “blue wall” expressed confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris’ ground game.
While they acknowledged the tightness of the presidential race, they also believed that Harris would ultimately emerge victorious in their respective states.
“I believe that Kamala Harris will emerge as the winner, although it is important to note that the competition is intense,” stated Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania during an interview with ABC News “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz.
“We do not fear this challenge. Instead, it motivates us to redouble our efforts and work tirelessly towards our goals.”
The swing states known as the “blue wall” play a crucial role in determining a Democratic victory. These states, which had previously supported Donald Trump in 2016, marking a departure from their historical trend of backing Republican candidates since 1992, were won back by President Joe Biden in the subsequent election.
Hitting the 270-electoral vote threshold needed to secure the White House would be within reach for Harris if she emerges victorious in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and even Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. This means that she could still win the presidency, even if she were to lose in the other four battleground states.
According to 538 polling averages, the race is statistically tied in all three “blue wall” states.
According to Whitmer, it comes as no surprise to her, as well as the other two individuals present, that these polls reflect the current situation. Rather than feeling upset or fearful, they remain resolute in their determination to employ every possible effort to secure victory.
According to Evers, the race is still considered “undecided” as many voters haven’t been actively following it.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers believes that there are individuals who are still undecided about their voting choices. He acknowledges that there are people who can be swayed and convinced through dialogue and engagement.
Evers emphasizes that not everyone is closely following political developments on a daily basis, indicating that there is an opportunity to reach out and provide information to these individuals.
Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, holds a significant position as the ultimate prize in this highly contested election. Both campaigns are fiercely vying for victory in this battleground state.
In previous presidential elections, the margins have been incredibly tight, with President Trump securing a victory by a mere 0.7 percentage points in 2016, and President Biden prevailing with a slightly larger margin of 1.2 points in 2020.
“People are looking for leaders who can actually accomplish things for them,” Shapiro stated. “Donald Trump may talk a big game about that, but he has a track record of repeatedly failing to deliver.
It’s our duty to remind people that when he had the opportunity to lead the country, he consistently let the American people down.”
“He is nothing but a charlatan,” Whitmer asserted. “He has managed to deceive people into believing that he possesses strength, when in reality, he is incredibly feeble.”
Democrats in all three states are relying on strong turnout from their traditional voter base to secure victory. This includes the crucial support of Black voters, who are concentrated in the metropolitan areas.
According to Census data, the Black voter turnout in Wisconsin has seen a significant decline since 2012, plummeting from 78% to 43% in 2020.
Evers expressed that his state has made significant progress this time around and emphasized the enhancement of their ground game in reaching out to voters.
According to the speaker, they are confident that this election will be bigger than the previous one. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that all individuals in Wisconsin feel that their vote holds significance.
To achieve this, they have increased their efforts in mobilizing voters across the state, including rural areas and the Milwaukee region.
Michigan Democrats are worried that Arab and Muslim American voters may not show up to support Harris. This is due to their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s backing of Israel amidst the ongoing conflict and hardships in Gaza.
The frustration stems from the fact that it has been a year since Hamas launched a brutal attack on the United States’ ally.
Michigan is the residence of approximately 400,000 Arab Americans, as reported by the Arab American Institute. In the presidential race, the Uncommitted Movement made the decision to not endorse any candidate, while the Abandon Harris campaign lent its support to Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate.
When asked about how to persuade these voters to back Harris, Whitmer emphasized the significance of engaging in dialogue. She further contended that Harris stands out as the sole candidate dedicated to seeking and implementing effective solutions.
“Do you really want a leader who constantly adds fuel to the fire, keeping you angry and disengaged?” questioned Whitmer. “Or would you prefer someone who actively works towards solving problems? That’s the kind of leadership Kamala Harris brings to the table.”
It is uncertain whether Trump will concede defeat if he loses to Harris, considering what happened after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has already begun to question the integrity of the election, making baseless claims in a recent podcast interview.
He said, “If the election is not rigged, we’re going to win. If it is rigged, I guess that’s a different story.”
All three governors expressed their confidence in their states’ citizens to lawfully administer election law and count the votes, while expressing concerns about Trump.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed concerns about President Trump’s actions leading up to the election. In a statement, she accused him of laying the groundwork to undermine the outcome of the election and deceiving the American public.
Whitmer emphasized the importance of counting every vote, indicating her determination to ensure a fair and accurate election.
Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, Josh Shapiro, expressed his strong belief in the ability of the people of Pennsylvania to accurately count the votes and uphold the will of the people.
However, he also expressed his lack of confidence in President Donald Trump’s potential to refrain from complaining, spreading dangerous rhetoric, and disseminating misinformation and disinformation.
Shapiro emphasized that they are ready to handle any challenges presented by Trump and are committed to protecting the will of the people.