Recent polls show President Joe Biden losing by more than four percentage points to former President Donald Trump. Could that be the reason Vice President Kamala Harris is slogging her way to Wisconsin today (March 6) to tout her administration’s fabulous successes in jobs and labor and her devotion to the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment?
The visit marks Harris’ sixth trip to the Badger State since being sworn in, eclipsing her one paltry visit to the US-Mexico border for which she is the diplomat-in-charge.
Harris will deliver scripted remarks in Madison, with Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su by her side, and sugarcoat the message that only Scranton Joe is “fighting for workers, advancing economic opportunity and building a strong economy for all Americans.” Is a pretty face enough to gather the support of big union bosses in a swing state and an election year?
By less than one percentage point, Biden barely won Wisconsin in 2020. But can Kamala deliver a message of prosperity to crowds that know their paychecks aren’t getting any bigger while food prices skyrocket?
Perception Is Reality in Politics
In 2020, it seemed 81 million people believed that Donald Trump was “literally Satan.” After four years with the Biden-Harris administration, voters are nearly worn out from policies enacted during the COVID pandemic, including the assault on fossil fuels, skyrocketing prices, and lagging wages. The Saving the Soul of a Nation campaign has soured the hearts of the electorate so much that states Biden won in 2020 are edging toward Trump. Yet, the faithful still waver.
Joe Biden (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
In an early February poll, Marquette University Law found that Biden’s approval numbers were still in the basement, having improved slightly from a late 2023 survey of state voters. Still, only 38% of voters described the economy as “excellent or good,” while 62% said the economy was “bad to poor.”
Could the highly touted Bidenomics be the deal-killer in the 2024 election? Liberty Nation’s Andrew Moran had his say about the confusing numbers coming out of the Biden administration:
“So, why would anyone doubt the veracity of government numbers? Well, it is an election year, after all. Zero Hedge said it best: ‘It’s safe to assume that all Establishment Survey numbers are now completely made up.’ Suffice it to say that none of the figures made much sense.”
The long and the short of saving the prosperity of a nation is not in the works. But just maybe we Americans have this all wrong.
Harris for President
So, what is the VP’s plan? Promoting apprenticeship programs? Labor unions love that kind of talk. And without fail, they will come through for the Democratic Party — if Biden is on the ticket.
But since Special Counsel Robert Hur callously claimed the president was memory-challenged, among other worries, lackluster leader Kamala Harris has had a lot of makeup homework to do to stay relevant. A majority of Americans are concerned about Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity and have not seen Harris do much of anything since being sworn into office. Perhaps what is being overlooked is Harris’ own political aspirations. How does the lass convince constituencies of her readiness and ability to serve?
Harris wants to be the first woman president. To do that, she now needs to convince the base that she is capable after three years of doing not much helpful. But plenty of Democrats get the shivers as she practices the line: “I’m ready to serve.” Panic. Call California and get the governor on the next plane to the Swamp? Right now, polls seem to portend an apocalyptic disaster, and time is running out. Maybe her time in Wisconsin will give her a boost to be considered if, and only if, Biden has to step down before the nominating convention this coming August in Chicago.
It’s rumored that Michelle Obama – despite repeated denials — may be skulking around her old neighborhood, and if the timing is just right, well, Kamala may fade into obscurity as the first woman of color who served as vice president.
