Kamala Harris continues to pull in Hollywood’s big names for support in Phoenix this weekend. Kerry Washington of ‘Scandal’ fame is set to advocate for Harris this Sunday, sharing the stage with other well-known actors including Jessica Alba, Glenn Close, and Michael Early. Teaming up with Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, they’re all set to initiate voter canvassing events. This spectacle follows after Jennifer Garner, another Hollywood actress, canvassed the state on behalf of Harris.
The campaigning blitz comes as no surprise, considering the tight competition in the key swing state of Arizona with the impending Election Day on November 5. However, one may wonder whether the excessive reliance on celebrity endorsement and Hollywood showmanship detracts from the substance of Harris’s campaign and the pressing issues at hand.
Kerry Washington, try as she might, is attempting to channel her on-screen persona, crisis-manager Olivia Pope from the show ‘Scandal’. Washington seemingly hopes her fame might galvanize Black voters towards Harris. The need to bring in a fictional character shows how desperate the Harris campaign may appear.
As part of the efforts, Washington is scheduled to participate in a ‘Black Voters for Harris-Walz Block Party’ event later in the day, alongside Ruben Gallego, who is currently campaigning for a Senate seat under the Democratic banner. Even former Attorney General Eric Holder and ex-Ambassador Susan Rice are expected to grace the event.
The Harris campaign is trying to depict a distinguishing contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz’s pledge to preserve certain freedoms from the Donald Trump and JD Vance’s Project 2025 agenda. They argue, intriguingly, that the latter proposal would burden middle-class families with increased taxes.
It’s fascinating to note how the Harris team is scrambling to dispatch their most renowned advocates to Arizona this week, coinciding with the commencement of early voting on Wednesday. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is slated to visit the battleground state this Tuesday while Governor Walz is organizing his own tour to promote early voting.
Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic Senator from Minnesota, already made her presence felt in Arizona by Friday afternoon. She seems eager to convince small business owners about Harris’s potential benefits, igniting a wildfire of debate in the process. While some welcome her, others find the foundations of her argument concerning the Harris campaign’s business initiatives to be shaky.
Meanwhile, there’s undeniable proof that the opposition is no stranger to employing influential figures. Donald Trump Jr. is expected to campaign in Arizona as well on Wednesday, leading early voting rallies. His journey through the state will feature six different stops, ranging from Peoria to Queen Creek and being facilitated by the revered conservative group, Turning Point Action.
The high-stakes events unfolding in Arizona clearly show the scramble for this highly contentious state. Both sides are leveraging celebrity endorsements in an attempt to garner more votes. However, the public will ultimately decide the winner based on the experiences and policies these politicians bring to the table.
The upcoming election pits not only political but also philosophical differences against each other, with each faction trying to project its own agenda as the most beneficial for the common citizen. While the Harris campaign continues to push celebrity-endorsed events, it’s important to question the true substance behind these ostentatious displays.
The end game is near, and every participant is looking to get their say in. Both the blocs are deploying their most powerful weapons, trying to win the war of public opinion before the ballot, Arizona being one of the most critical arenas. Will it be the celebrity charm or actual political acuity that prevails remains to be seen.
Every campaign uses its strategy, and while the Hollywood glamour might appear alluring for some, others might find merit and align themselves with the concrete policies and goals that the opposition lays down. This raises the argument of political figures hiding behind celebrity endorsements and star-studded events.
The coming days will witness even more intense politicking, with surrogates and celebrities alike fervently pushing agendas and adding dramatic flair to the process. Whatever the case, the ultimate decision rests with the voters who must navigate this web of polarizing endorsements and crowd-pulling events to arrive at a verdict.
Whether these endorsements and events have any significant impact on the ultimate vote count is yet to be seen. What is certain is that Arizona, due to its status as a significant battleground state, has seen its fair share of political drama this campaign season.
With constant debates, celebrity endorsements, and rigorous campaigning by all sides, one thing is certain: the citizens of Arizona are privy to a great political spectacle. As the days count down to election day, it is the public’s responsibility to make an educated choice, looking past the glitz, glamor, and bias to select what’s genuinely best for the state and themselves.