Harris swing-state voters/ Trump Harris campaign battle/ Republican endorsements Harris/ swing state election 2024/ Newslooks/ CHARLOTTE/ Kamala Harris, campaigning in swing states like North Carolina, is highlighting support from Republicans such as Dick and Liz Cheney to broaden her appeal. Harris is focusing on defending abortion rights and healthcare while drawing attention to Donald Trump’s lack of policy plans. Both campaigns are vying for votes in crucial battleground states ahead of the 2024 election.
Harris Courts Swing-State Voters with GOP Endorsements Quick Looks:
- Harris highlights endorsements from Republicans, including Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney, in North Carolina.
- She emphasizes abortion rights, healthcare access, and the Affordable Care Act in her campaign.
- Trump and Harris focus on key battleground states like North Carolina and Arizona.
- Harris’ campaign hopes to replicate Biden’s 2020 coalition of diverse voters and moderate Republicans.
Harris Courts Swing-State Voters with GOP Endorsements Amid Tight Race
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris launched a high-stakes campaign blitz Thursday in key swing states, seeking to pull voters away from Donald Trump by emphasizing her support from prominent Republicans and focusing on key issues like healthcare and abortion rights. Her stops in North Carolina and Arizona, both crucial battlegrounds, come as the election tightens with less than two months remaining.
Speaking to a crowd in Charlotte, Harris underscored the significance of the Republican endorsements she has received, particularly from former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, Liz Cheney. Both have denounced Trump as a threat to American democracy, and Harris is using their support to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents disillusioned with Trump.
“Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign,” Harris said, emphasizing that even Republican figures recognize the need to prioritize country over party.
Harris’ message centers around key policy issues, including the defense of abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as well as healthcare access through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). She criticized Trump’s failure to present a concrete replacement for the ACA despite his long-standing promises to do so, mocking his recent statement about having “concepts of a plan.”
“Forty-five million Americans are insured through the Affordable Care Act. And he’s going to end it based on a concept,” Harris quipped during her speech.
The vice president also addressed the impact of the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling, highlighting the consequences in states that have imposed severe restrictions, such as women being denied care during miscarriages. This issue has become central to her campaign, as she seeks to mobilize women voters, particularly in swing states.
Meanwhile, Trump spent Thursday campaigning in Tucson, Arizona, as he attempts to refocus his campaign following the first presidential debate, where many believed he struggled. While Trump remains a formidable contender, even some of his supporters acknowledged that his debate performance fell short. David Swanson, a Tucson resident, admitted that Trump “didn’t have his best day,” but still believes the former president has the edge going into November.
The campaign strategies for both Harris and Trump reflect the narrow paths each has to securing the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win. The race has centered around seven key swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Harris is taking a similar approach to Joe Biden’s successful 2020 campaign, aiming to unite a diverse coalition of voters, including younger generations, women, and people of color. At the same time, she hopes to peel away moderate Republicans who may be uncomfortable with Trump’s rhetoric and leadership but remain conservative on key issues.
However, balancing this broad coalition is no easy feat. While Harris highlights support from Republicans like the Cheneys, she also continues to champion policies like the Affordable Care Act, which passed with almost no Republican support. This dual approach requires careful navigation to appeal to a wide voter base without alienating key constituencies.
In North Carolina, Harris’ strategy appears to be resonating with voters. Her campaign has made significant inroads in the state, opening more than two dozen offices and garnering the support of popular Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. North Carolina remains a battleground state, with polls showing a close race between Harris and Trump.
Trump won North Carolina in 2020 by a slim margin of 1.3%, his closest victory that year. Harris’ frequent visits to the state—Thursday marked her ninth trip this year—demonstrate her campaign’s belief that it can flip the state blue by mobilizing a diverse electorate and attracting disillusioned Republicans.
Meanwhile, Arizona is shaping up to be another crucial battleground. Trump narrowly lost the state in 2020, and both candidates are working hard to secure its electoral votes. Arizona also has an important down-ballot race, with Republican Kari Lake, a prominent election denier, running for the U.S. Senate. Lake’s presence on the ballot could influence voter turnout and potentially impact the presidential race.
As the campaign heads into the final stretch, Harris and Trump are focusing heavily on these key states, with both candidates hoping to sway the remaining undecided voters. With no third debate scheduled after the contentious first one, these battleground visits are crucial moments for both campaigns to solidify support.
