Pennsylvania Deadlock: Why Kamala Picked the Wrong Running Mate
Pennsylvania is a critical swing state in the 2024 presidential election, and Vice President Kamala Harris’s choice of running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has been questioned by some analysts. Here are the key points:
– **Pennsylvania’s Importance**: Pennsylvania is crucial for both candidates, with a narrow margin often deciding the outcome. If Harris loses Pennsylvania, Donald Trump could become the 47th President of the United States.
– **Harris’s Strategy**: Harris is focusing on holding down Trump’s margin in western Pennsylvania, an area that Trump is likely to win. She aims to reforge the coalition that supported Joe Biden in 2020, focusing on college students, Black voters, and women motivated by abortion rights.
– **Walz vs. Shapiro**: The choice of Walz over Pennsylvania’s popular Governor Josh Shapiro has been criticized. Shapiro, a moderate liberal, could have brought in additional votes as a home-state candidate. However, Harris preferred Walz’s image as a hunter and fisherman over two East Coast lawyers. Additionally, there was pressure from the anti-Israel faction in her party not to tap Shapiro, who is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel.
– **Polling Trends**: Current polling indicates a close race in Pennsylvania. Harris has a slight advantage, with some polls showing her leading by 0.7% to 3% points. The state’s voter registration gap has narrowed, making it increasingly competitive.
– **Debate Impact**: The upcoming debate between Harris and Trump could be pivotal in Pennsylvania. Harris has been performing well in debates, which may help improve her public perception and potentially swing undecided voters.
The choice of running mate and the tight polling in Pennsylvania highlight the critical role this state will play in the 2024 presidential election.
