Staff Reports
Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping up to the plate with President Biden by her side, marking their first joint campaign appearance since she became the Democratic presidential nominee. Their latest performance took place in the blue-collar haven of Pittsburgh, which seems like an ironic choice given that a significant portion of the workforce there is likely to remember the last four years, when they thrived under a different administration. The stage was set for the duo as they gear up for a post-Labor Day sprint that promises to be as nail-biting as an episode of a reality TV show.
In her efforts to win over undecided voters and reinvigorate the labor unions that have driven the Democratic machine for years, Harris is putting all her cards on the table—specifically in blue-state battlegrounds like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These are states that the Democrats scraped by in the last election, all thanks to the effective messaging of “Scranton Joe” Biden, which may be needed now more than ever as Biden’s approval rating sits on the edge of a cliff. Harris has taken it upon herself to bring out the union cheerleaders while simultaneously downplaying Biden’s glaring weaknesses. That’s quite the balancing act, especially for a candidate who doesn’t have a great track record of connecting with everyday Americans.
With Biden's help, Harris courts blue-collar voters in Labor Day push in union strongholds https://t.co/rJZGqLKtZP
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 2, 2024
During the press conference, Harris highlighted the supposed benefits of union labor with a list of achievements that makes it seem like no one ever had to grind through a day of work before unions came along. She insisted that labor unions are the foundation of America’s strength, claiming that if union wages increase, everyone else’s wages will too. One could argue that the average worker might have something different to say about that given the state of the economy today. Harris also took a shot at former President Donald Trump, portraying him as a relic of the past while she and Biden are the shiny new future. It never seems to get old when Democrats claim to represent progress while they continuously circle the drain of their own contradictions.
Speaking of Trump, his campaign seems poised and ready to capitalize on Harris and Biden’s damages as they weave tales of their glorious past. Trump appears to be on hiatus from the campaign trail for now but has taken to social media to let America know that under the “leadership” of Kamala, Americans are suffering—high gas prices, skyrocketing food costs, and transportation woes are all hallmarks of the Democratic legacy. It looks like he’s not about to let the media forget that the economy thrived under him while the Democrats sit idly by, trying to sell America on the idea that a union-focused agenda will fix what they have broken.
The upcoming debate promises to bring their differences to the forefront, and it will be interesting to watch if Harris can continue to distance herself from the Biden administration while still playing the “we are better than Trump” card. Trump has done his math: the longer Harris stays connected to Biden, the easier it is for him to remind voters of their failures. Cue the dramatic plotting music as both sides prepare to engage in the political brawl of the century.
Meanwhile, the narrative continues to unfold with Harris parading around in union strongholds, waxing poetic about how great unions are while her administration has witnessed tremendous inflation and failed policy after failed policy. In a campaign season that is meant to revitalize the Democratic base, one can’t help but wonder if they are really trying to peddle a new vision or just hoping that voters forget where their I.D.s are by Election Day. The race for the White House is heating up, but it looks like the Democrats are cranking up the air conditioning, hoping to cool down the harsh realities they face with nothing more than well-crafted slogans and empty promises.
