The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
The Democratic National Convention was extraordinary. The Democratic Party emerged energetic, united and flush with funds and volunteers. The party is determined to fight for economic security, freedom, the Constitution and national security. Moreover, Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz will be a team for all of us. In her acceptance speech Harris said: “I promise to be a president for all Americans.” She talked about an “opportunity economy where everyone has the chance to compete and a chance to succeed.” Similarly, Walz spoke about the middle-working class, freedom and standing up for America.
Wisconsin and rural America are no longer an afterthought or flyover country. Harris-Walz will campaign in cities and suburbs. But they also intend to go to rural America. Harris said: “Whether you live in a rural area, small town, or big city … I will bring together labor and workers and small-business owners … to create jobs, to grow our economy and to lower the cost of everyday needs … .” Walz said: “I’ll tell you what, growing up in a small town … you’ll learn to take care of each other, that that family down the road, they may not think like you do … , but they’re your neighbors and you look out for them and they look out for you. Everybody belongs … .”
Harris-Walz have already proved that in Wisconsin. Campaigning in the largely rural 3rd Congressional District (CD), home to many voters who flipped from Obama to Trump, with this message: “We are running a campaign on behalf of all Americans” (Harris). Over 12,000 at that 3rd CD Harris-Walz rally, while Trump’s running mate JD Vance spoke to a tiny gathering nearby. Moreover, during the Democratic National Convention, Harris-Walz spoke at a huge Milwaukee rally – over 15,000. The exuberant crowd was enthusiastic about the Harris-Walz message. Meanwhile, Vance was in Kenosha speaking before a tiny group trying to ramp up division and fear. It’s not working for Trump-Vance. Americans increasingly see them as “weird” and out-of-touch.
Washington Post political reporter Dan Balz said: “Harris has Trump in a box, and he’s struggling to get out … . Democrats concluded their electrifying national convention … with Harris as the main event, delivering an address sculpted to keep her on the crest of a wave that has changed the contours of the presidential election.” Harris-Walz are talking about economic security, freedom, the Constitution and national security, while Trump-Vance harangue about division, fear and silly personal attacks.
The Democratic and GOP National Conventions could not have been more different. Republicans had Wisconsin billionaire and union buster Diane Hendricks speak as an “everyday American.” The Democrats had Kenneth Stribling, a Milwaukee retired Teamster, whose Central States Pension Fund benefits were saved by Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, her Democratic colleagues and President Joe Biden. Over one million retirees, including 22,000 Wisconsinites, had been in danger of losing their hard-earned benefits.
Vote Harris-Walz and Baldwin for economic security, freedom, the Constitution and national security.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.
