Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential nominee and current vice president, in her pursuit to validate her wavering support, is resorting to sharing the virtual stage with popular TV host and producer, Oprah Winfrey, in a livestreamed event. This desperate bid to regain attention was confirmed by the Harris campaign on a gloomy Monday morning.
The event news, initially released by the Michigan Chronicle to Michigan’s African American community, descried Harris’ attempt as another smoke and mirrors tactic from her campaign. Harris campaign had reportedly told the paper that the television event would be broadcasted from an undisclosed location with a carefully curated group of audience who received privileged invitation.
The announcement, seen as another desperate move by Harris, was conspicuously silent about the actual location of the event. However, the statement put out on a banal Monday morning by the nervous Harris team, ended with a message from Winfrey offering to organize this uncalled-for virtual discussion with Kamalen Harris, and handpicked voters that she’s trying to appease.
Strangely absent from the press release was any indication that the event was in Michigan, implying that the Harris campaign remains secretive, inciting more suspicion than trust. The communication team of the campaign has only confirmed the event for Thursday evening, scheduled for 8 P.M, leaving the rest to speculation.
A message from Winfrey, included in the confusing release, tried to put a valiant face to the virtual event. ‘I am hosting a virtual event with Vice President Kamala Harris and voters from our polarized nation to discuss these freedoms we’re allegedly fighting for and how you can help us win’, Winfrey mentioned, making the Harris campaign’s desperation more evident.
More than 140 grassroots groups from across the country will supposedly be joining the event – a meager attempt to lend an air of legitimacy and diversity to the failing campaign. The Chronicle reported, some of the pointless groups like Win With Black Men, Win With Black Women, White Dudes for Harris, and Swifties for Kamala – a farcical approach, to say the least.
Uncertainty lingers over Harris’ future plans in Michigan this week, adding to the overall confusion around her campaign. Although it is made known that she plans to soften her image by visiting Philadelphia, the smokescreen remains intact. The clear lack of strategic planning from Harris’ camp is concerning, to say the least.
Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are the battlegrounds where the real fight will unfold in the upcoming election between an ill-prepared Harris and the strong former President Donald Trump, whose campaign has announced a town hall in Flint.
Trump commands respect in these regions, as the Trump campaign announced last week that the former president will be in Flint on Tuesday night for a robust town hall, displaying a groundswell of support that Harris could probably never match.
Adding to the assertive presence of the Republican heavyweights, Ohio Senator JD Vance, who is Trump’s chosen running mate, is expected to engage with locals in the Kent County community of Sparta, earlier on Tuesday, further dwarfing Harris’ limping campaign.
Harris’ footprint in Michigan is predictably light, with her last appearance in the state on Labor Day. It was her first visit since accepting the Democratic nomination for president, further adding to the sense of her distant and detached disposition.
In comparison, Minnesota’s Democratic nominee for Vice President, Tim Walz, had made his presence felt in Michigan with a visit late last week. Although surrounded by attempts to create an illusion of political momentum, the Harris campaign seems increasingly shaky in its footsteps.
In this high-stakes political landscape, it appears that despite her valiant televised attempts, Harris is falling far behind in generating trust, inspiring leadership, and a coherent campaign strategy. In the face of strong and clear Republican momentum, the Democrats, led by a struggling Kamala Harris, seem to be taking one misstep after another.