Trump Absent from Key Midwest Kickoff as Vance Takes on Harris and Walz
On a pivotal day for the 2024 election battleground, former President Donald Trump was notably absent. Instead, Republican vice presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, led the charge against the newly announced Democratic ticket through the crucial swing states.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, energized their base with high-octane rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan. Their appearances highlighted a rejuvenated Democratic Party, with Harris channeling Trump’s flair for dramatic entrances by arriving aboard Air Force Two for a packed Michigan rally.
Harris, now stepping confidently into her role as the Democratic nominee, drew large, enthusiastic crowds, signaling to Trump—who closely monitors such metrics—that her political honeymoon is in full swing.
Trump Team Launches Counter-Offensive
Trump Team Initiates Counter-Offensive Against Harris and Walz
As Kamala Harris gains traction with her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Trump’s team is making its move to counter their momentum. Struggling to adapt to the shift in the Democratic ticket after Joe Biden’s withdrawal, Trump has resorted to attacking Harris with baseless claims and juvenile nicknames like “Kamabla,” reflecting his struggle to mount a coherent response.
During a call-in to Fox News from his Florida club, Trump criticized the Harris-Walz ticket as radical and extreme, suggesting they aim to turn the U.S. communist. However, his arguments remained vague and lacked impact.
In contrast, JD Vance took a more targeted approach. At a smaller event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, he directly addressed regional economic concerns such as high prices, housing, and energy costs, while framing the election as a choice between a return to Trump-era policies and the perceived failings of the current administration. Vance’s rhetoric subtly shifted focus from Biden to Harris, suggesting she holds the real power in the White House.
Harris, speaking in the same city, acknowledged the economic challenges despite a strong post-pandemic recovery. She committed to addressing issues like affordable housing, healthcare, and childcare, recognizing that while the economy is improving, everyday costs remain a significant concern for voters.
Vance and Trump’s Strategies to Undermine Harris
Trump Campaign and Vance Intensify Pressure on Harris
In a strategic move to unsettle Kamala Harris, the Trump campaign has ramped up calls for her to participate in a major media interview, aiming to exploit what they perceive as her vulnerability in unscripted settings. Ohio Sen. JD Vance criticized Harris for not fielding questions from the press since her nomination, calling it “disgraceful” and suggesting it undermines both her and the media’s credibility.
Harris, who has occasionally struggled in spontaneous interviews, faces mounting pressure from the Trump camp to prove herself beyond prepared speeches. With the Democratic National Convention approaching, her team has been focused on campaign-building and selecting a running mate, which they argue justifies her limited media engagement for now. However, as the campaign progresses and global challenges intensify, Harris will need to demonstrate her readiness for the presidency.
Vance’s efforts to confront Harris were on display during his Wisconsin visit, where he took a moment to approach Air Force Two, humorously remarking on his curiosity about the plane. This episode highlights Vance’s strategy of directly engaging with key political symbols to emphasize his challenge to the vice president’s emerging campaign.
Trump’s Change of Stance on Second Debate?
Trump Signals Flexibility on Second Debate Venue”
On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump hinted at a potential shift in his stance on the upcoming presidential debate. After initially refusing to participate in a debate scheduled by ABC and insisting that Vice President Kamala Harris appear on Fox News instead, Trump expressed a new willingness to engage in a debate on a different network.
In an interview on Fox News, Trump suggested, “We’ll be debating her, I guess, in the pretty near future. It’s going to be announced fairly soon, but we’ll be debating her.” He emphasized his eagerness to participate, stating, “I’d do it right now, because I want to debate her. I think it’s important for the country that we debate.”
Although Trump had previously pushed for the debate to be held on Fox News, he acknowledged that the final decision would involve mutual agreement, adding, “I think Fox would do a really good job, but two people have to agree.
Battling for Rural Voters
Harris Highlights Walz as Key to Winning Over Rural Voters
Vice President Kamala Harris appears to view Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a crucial asset in reaching voters beyond traditional Democratic strongholds. Enthusiastic about Walz’s role, Harris praised him in front of a vibrant crowd in Detroit on Wednesday night, asking, “Isn’t he amazing?”
Harris Campaign Sees Walz as Key to Rural Outreach Amidst Trump’s Counter-Attacks
The Harris campaign is strategically positioning Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a vital asset in securing rural voters in swing states. Dan Kanninen, the campaign’s battleground states director, highlighted the need to narrow margins in rural areas to win, noting Walz’s success in representing a traditionally Republican district in southern Minnesota. The campaign views Walz’s track record as a model for reducing Democratic losses in rural regions nationwide.
In response, the Trump campaign is working to undermine Walz’s appeal, portraying him as an extreme leftist on issues like crime, immigration, and social policies. Trump’s allies have criticized a new Minnesota law mandating menstrual products in all school bathrooms as evidence of Walz’s progressive leanings and have highlighted his perceived slow response to the Minneapolis unrest following George Floyd’s murder. However, Trump’s earlier praise for Walz’s handling of the 2020 unrest complicates these attacks, potentially weakening their effectiveness.
Dispute Over Military Service
Vance Intensifies Criticism of Walz’s Military Service Record
JD Vance has escalated his attacks on Tim Walz’s military service, accusing the Minnesota governor of avoiding deployment to Iraq. Vance claimed that while he answered the call to serve honorably when the Marine Corps requested his presence in Iraq, Walz opted to leave the Army National Guard in 2005, leaving his unit behind as he pursued a run for Congress. “When the United States asked me to go to Iraq, I did it. I’m very proud of that service. Tim Walz, on the other hand, chose to step away and let his unit go without him,” Vance said.
Walz’s Military Service Under Scrutiny Amidst Vance’s Accusations
Tim Walz filed paperwork to run for Congress on February 10, 2005. Shortly after, his Army National Guard unit was alerted to a potential deployment to Iraq within two years. Despite this, Walz’s campaign affirmed his commitment to his congressional bid. Walz, who had served 24 years in the Army National Guard, retired in May 2005. While service members typically submit retirement paperwork months in advance, the exact timing of Walz’s submission remains unclear. His unit received deployment orders for Iraq in July 2005, two months after his retirement.
JD Vance has intensified his criticism of Walz’s military record, accusing him of avoiding service in Iraq. Vance, who served four years in the Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq for about six months, challenged Walz’s claims of combat service. Vance also criticized Walz for allegedly misrepresenting his service, pointing to remarks Walz made about supporting an assault weapons ban. While Walz did deploy with the Minnesota National Guard to Vicenza, Italy, in August 2003, he did not serve in a combat zone during his deployment.
Biden’s Cautionary Note
The contentious debate between military veterans highlights the deepening political divide as the election looms with significant national stakes.
In a recent development, President Biden issued a stark warning regarding Trump’s potential threat to democratic norms. In his first interview since stepping back from the campaign trail, Biden expressed concerns about the possibility of an orderly transition of power should Trump lose in November.
“I mean, if Trump loses, I’m not confident at all. He means what he says,” Biden told CBS News, reflecting his apprehensions about the stability of the democratic process under Trump’s influence.
