Harris is attacking Trump on fascism. Some Democrats believe that's an error.
In recent weeks, Harris has intensified her alerts regarding the risks associated with a potential second Trump term.
TroibNews 
**KALAMAZOO, Michigan** — Kamala Harris’ persistent focus on Donald Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric is causing concern among some Democrats in this pivotal swing state, who worry that this message may not resonate. They argue that voters have become desensitized to Trump and his associated warnings. Current polls reveal that the economy remains the primary concern for Michigan voters, with Trump currently enjoying an advantage on this issue. Additionally, activists believe Harris’ criticisms of Trump are detracting from her strongest platform: abortion rights.
In Michigan, where tensions have been rising among Democrats due to cracks in their traditional coalition, apprehensions about Harris’ late-stage strategy are prevalent throughout the party. “It doesn’t play well in communities that are struggling to make ends meet, and that’s the problem. They’re talking to the wrong people,” stated Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a former state representative and Detroit school board member who supports Harris. “We can’t keep campaigning on modes of fear.”
Over the past few weeks, Harris has intensified her warnings regarding the potential perils of a second Trump term, revisiting arguments previously central to President Joe Biden’s now-suspended reelection campaign. Her campaign contends that this response is necessary given Trump’s own escalating rhetoric.
Recently, Harris described Trump as “unhinged” and “unfit to serve,” citing his threats to use the military and judicial system against his adversaries, as well as his depiction of political rivals as the “enemy from within.” She also promoted the notion that Trump embodies fascist tendencies, echoing comments made by his former chief of staff, John Kelly, who suggested Trump meets the definition. To amplify her message, her campaign has initiated television advertisements in battleground states warning about Trump’s contempt for democratic norms, a theme she is set to highlight on Tuesday at a location in Washington, D.C., where Trump previously rallied his supporters ahead of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
“Democracy’s on the line, it truly is. When a person tells you something, that they’re going to be a certain way, and they worship people like Hitler, and they say they’re going to turn the army loose on you … those are words coming from a potential dictator,” remarked Mary Waters, a Detroit City Council member endorsing Harris. “Now that is scary.”
During a rally in Kalamazoo this past weekend, Harris reiterated these warnings, asserting that Trump would “claim unchecked and extreme power” if reelected, and reminding attendees of his call for the “termination” of the Constitution following his unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
Yet even within this supportive audience, some Democrats expressed worries that Harris was overly focused on Trump. “I don’t see us moving anyone over with that message,” observed Karen Lancendorfer, a Democrat who traveled from nearby Portage to attend the rally featuring Harris and Michelle Obama. Furthermore, she noted, “it’s risky to go negative, because sometimes independents don’t like negativity.”
Across Michigan, many activists are anxious that Harris is misjudging the sentiment as Republicans aggressively target her over economic issues and crime in mailers and advertisements, while also criticizing her for not distancing herself from President Biden. There is a growing belief that the argument positioning Trump as a democratic threat — though aimed at broadenening her coalition by appealing to independents and disaffected Republicans — may not sufficiently galvanize lower-turnout Democratic voters. “We’re going to shame people by saying ‘how dare you stay home and Donald Trump gets elected’ rather than give people a reason to get people off their couches to vote,” expressed Carly Hammond, a Democratic organizer from Saginaw.
Following an intensive focus on Trump’s authoritarian aspects, Harris’ campaign has begun to shift its emphasis back to abortion and the economy. She held a significant rally in Texas last Friday spotlighting the threat Trump poses to abortion rights, followed by a Saturday event where Obama aimed a direct message at men regarding this issue while campaigning alongside Harris in Kalamazoo, where Harris also spoke about economic concerns like reducing housing costs and combating price gouging.
In response to inquiries about local activists' concerns regarding Harris’ messaging on Trump, her campaign contended that she has dedicated considerable attention to the economy during her visits to Michigan. On Monday, Harris toured a semiconductor plant in Saginaw, which is set to receive $325 million in subsidies via the CHIPS and Science Act, highlighting her accomplishments in domestic manufacturing and criticizing Trump for proposing to reverse the Biden administration’s landmark policies.
“On every single trip the vice president has made to Michigan, she has been laser-focused on manufacturing, strengthening the economy, and lowering costs,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow in a statement provided by Harris’ campaign.
However, while canvassing a quiet neighborhood of single-family homes in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills on Friday, Democratic activists Marcie Paul and Emily Feinstein found that Harris still has work to do in terms of effectively addressing voters' concerns. Multiple voters voiced apprehensions regarding the economy. One auto industry worker, who declared he would not vote for Trump again after January 6 but remains undecided for the current election, mentioned his desire to hear more about candidates’ business policies. Another voter noted she is supporting Harris primarily due to reproductive rights, yet indicated she has “no” influence over her husband, who believes business issues hold greater importance.
For Harris, “there’s a balance between the issues and the dangers of Trump,” stated Paul, who leads the Michigan-based progressive women’s group Fems for Dems. Currently, she remarked, voters want to learn “who [Harris] is and what she wants to do. They’re still getting to know her.”
In contrast, Paul noted, “They know who [Trump] is.”
“Unfortunately, personally, I feel as though we knew this about him,” she reflected on the recent disclosures concerning what critics describe as Trump’s fascist tendencies. “It’s just another drop in a very deep bucket.”
Ian Smith for TROIB News
In Michigan, where tensions have been rising among Democrats due to cracks in their traditional coalition, apprehensions about Harris’ late-stage strategy are prevalent throughout the party. “It doesn’t play well in communities that are struggling to make ends meet, and that’s the problem. They’re talking to the wrong people,” stated Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a former state representative and Detroit school board member who supports Harris. “We can’t keep campaigning on modes of fear.”
Over the past few weeks, Harris has intensified her warnings regarding the potential perils of a second Trump term, revisiting arguments previously central to President Joe Biden’s now-suspended reelection campaign. Her campaign contends that this response is necessary given Trump’s own escalating rhetoric.
Recently, Harris described Trump as “unhinged” and “unfit to serve,” citing his threats to use the military and judicial system against his adversaries, as well as his depiction of political rivals as the “enemy from within.” She also promoted the notion that Trump embodies fascist tendencies, echoing comments made by his former chief of staff, John Kelly, who suggested Trump meets the definition. To amplify her message, her campaign has initiated television advertisements in battleground states warning about Trump’s contempt for democratic norms, a theme she is set to highlight on Tuesday at a location in Washington, D.C., where Trump previously rallied his supporters ahead of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
“Democracy’s on the line, it truly is. When a person tells you something, that they’re going to be a certain way, and they worship people like Hitler, and they say they’re going to turn the army loose on you … those are words coming from a potential dictator,” remarked Mary Waters, a Detroit City Council member endorsing Harris. “Now that is scary.”
During a rally in Kalamazoo this past weekend, Harris reiterated these warnings, asserting that Trump would “claim unchecked and extreme power” if reelected, and reminding attendees of his call for the “termination” of the Constitution following his unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
Yet even within this supportive audience, some Democrats expressed worries that Harris was overly focused on Trump. “I don’t see us moving anyone over with that message,” observed Karen Lancendorfer, a Democrat who traveled from nearby Portage to attend the rally featuring Harris and Michelle Obama. Furthermore, she noted, “it’s risky to go negative, because sometimes independents don’t like negativity.”
Across Michigan, many activists are anxious that Harris is misjudging the sentiment as Republicans aggressively target her over economic issues and crime in mailers and advertisements, while also criticizing her for not distancing herself from President Biden. There is a growing belief that the argument positioning Trump as a democratic threat — though aimed at broadenening her coalition by appealing to independents and disaffected Republicans — may not sufficiently galvanize lower-turnout Democratic voters. “We’re going to shame people by saying ‘how dare you stay home and Donald Trump gets elected’ rather than give people a reason to get people off their couches to vote,” expressed Carly Hammond, a Democratic organizer from Saginaw.
Following an intensive focus on Trump’s authoritarian aspects, Harris’ campaign has begun to shift its emphasis back to abortion and the economy. She held a significant rally in Texas last Friday spotlighting the threat Trump poses to abortion rights, followed by a Saturday event where Obama aimed a direct message at men regarding this issue while campaigning alongside Harris in Kalamazoo, where Harris also spoke about economic concerns like reducing housing costs and combating price gouging.
In response to inquiries about local activists' concerns regarding Harris’ messaging on Trump, her campaign contended that she has dedicated considerable attention to the economy during her visits to Michigan. On Monday, Harris toured a semiconductor plant in Saginaw, which is set to receive $325 million in subsidies via the CHIPS and Science Act, highlighting her accomplishments in domestic manufacturing and criticizing Trump for proposing to reverse the Biden administration’s landmark policies.
“On every single trip the vice president has made to Michigan, she has been laser-focused on manufacturing, strengthening the economy, and lowering costs,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow in a statement provided by Harris’ campaign.
However, while canvassing a quiet neighborhood of single-family homes in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills on Friday, Democratic activists Marcie Paul and Emily Feinstein found that Harris still has work to do in terms of effectively addressing voters' concerns. Multiple voters voiced apprehensions regarding the economy. One auto industry worker, who declared he would not vote for Trump again after January 6 but remains undecided for the current election, mentioned his desire to hear more about candidates’ business policies. Another voter noted she is supporting Harris primarily due to reproductive rights, yet indicated she has “no” influence over her husband, who believes business issues hold greater importance.
For Harris, “there’s a balance between the issues and the dangers of Trump,” stated Paul, who leads the Michigan-based progressive women’s group Fems for Dems. Currently, she remarked, voters want to learn “who [Harris] is and what she wants to do. They’re still getting to know her.”
In contrast, Paul noted, “They know who [Trump] is.”
“Unfortunately, personally, I feel as though we knew this about him,” she reflected on the recent disclosures concerning what critics describe as Trump’s fascist tendencies. “It’s just another drop in a very deep bucket.”
Ian Smith for TROIB News
