EAU CLAIRE, WI – Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic supporters in rural Wisconsin, Vice President Kamala Harris stated on Wednesday, “the route to the White House goes directly through this state, and with your support, we will emerge victorious in November.”
Wisconsin is part of the so-called blue wall of states, alongside neighboring Michigan and Pennsylvania, which Democrats have consistently won in presidential elections for nearly 25 years until former President Donald Trump narrowly took them in winning the White House eight years ago.
However, in 2020, President Biden reclaimed all three states by slim margins as he defeated Trump, making them highly competitive as Harris and Trump prepare for their face-off in the 2024 presidential election.
Given this context, it was expected that Harris would kick off her campaign rally in Pennsylvania with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – her recently announced running mate – on Tuesday, followed by stops in Wisconsin and Michigan on Wednesday. Close by was Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance from Ohio.
KAMALA HARRIS AND HER NEWLY ANNOUNCED RUNNING MATE START THEIR BATTLEGROUND STATE TOUR
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is received by Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz before speaking at a campaign event on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wisc. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
During the rally, Walz criticized Trump, claiming that the former President “views the world through a different lens than we do. He lacks an understanding of service because he is continually serving his own interests.”
“This man undermines our country to bolster his own power. He disregards our laws and creates chaos and division among our citizens. And that’s without even getting into the job he did while in office,” Walz contended.
Earlier that day, Trump, in an interview with “Fox and Friends,” mocked the Democrats’ selection of Walz, who transitioned from a high school teacher and football coach to a Democratic congressman in a predominantly red district, and ultimately governor.
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ANNOUNCES MINNESOTA GOV TIM WALZ AS HER RUNNING MATE
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Trump remarked when asked about Harris’s announcement on Tuesday that Walz would be her running partner, after initially considering Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.
“I was taken aback when it came down to the final two and she didn’t select Shapiro. That surprised me quite a bit,” Trump commented.
Nonetheless, announcing a running mate has proven beneficial for the Harris campaign, which reported raising $36 million in just 24 hours following the Walz announcement.
At the rally, which attracted over 12,000 attendees to a festival field outside this small rural Wisconsin city, Walz characterized Trump and Vance as “creepy and weird as hell.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, host a significant rally in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on August 7, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
At a campaign event held nearby, Vance rejected the “weird” label, asserting that he and Trump are “ordinary individuals aiming to make this country great.”
In a moment that gained traction online, Vance appeared to mock the Vice President as he approached Air Force Two at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, where his campaign plane was also stationed.
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“I just wanted to come by to take a good look at the plane, as I hope that in a few months it will be my plane,” Vance quipped in front of Air Force Two.
Additionally, Vance pointed out that Harris has not conducted a major interview or press conference in the two and a half weeks since she ascended to lead the Democrats’ national ticket, stating to reporters, “I thought you all might be feeling lonely since the VP hasn’t been responding to questions.”
Biden suspended his re-election campaign on July 21, following a troubled debate performance against Trump in late June that intensified speculation about whether the 81-year-old president was fit for another four years in office. This also led to mounting calls from fellow Democrats for him to end his re-election pursuits.
Harris did not mention the president at a large rally in Atlanta last week, nor did she or Walz refer to him during their rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
Nevertheless, during her sixth visit to Wisconsin this year, Harris began by acknowledging the president. “I bring greetings from our wonderful president, Joe Biden,” Harris said. “He has a deep affection for Wisconsin, and we are truly thankful for his lifelong commitment to our country and everything he continues to accomplish.”
As the crowd erupted in a chant of “Thank you, Joe! Thank you, Joe!,” the Vice President replied, “Absolutely! I’ll make sure to tell him what you said.”
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