Might Harris' Lack of Comments on Manufacturing Affect Her in the 'Blue Wall'?

Biden's campaign for reelection in the Rust Belt emphasized the importance of revitalizing American manufacturing. However, will Harris' move away from this focus affect her support in these pivotal regions?

Might Harris' Lack of Comments on Manufacturing Affect Her in the 'Blue Wall'?
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, seems to have adjusted her campaign strategy significantly compared to the current administration's emphasis. Previously part of a team that invested over $50 billion into the Rust Belt's industry and infrastructure, Harris is now scarcely highlighting this in her pitch to voters in this pivotal area.

Harris, alongside her team, is now advocating for the "care economy." This shift in focus includes expanding child care, making housing more affordable, and boosting small businesses. This pivot was evident in her first economic speech in August and reinforced in a recent television advertisement.

The shift marks a distinctive turn from President Joe Biden's approach, who concentrated heavily on revitalizing domestic manufacturing to appeal to voters in the Blue Wall states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania before his campaign faltered.

"Biden 'is a car guy, like I’m a car girl,'" Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell, noted at a rally, reflecting on the natural inclination towards industrial policy within their political discourse.

"She’s learning," Dingell commented on Harris, recognizing her efforts to connect despite her Californian roots.

While the Harris campaign did not explicitly address this strategic change, they pointed to the new economic ad and justified the focus on different policy areas, due to Harris's distinct background compared to Biden, deeply rooted in working-class and union connections.

This change seems to be gaining traction, with Harris improving her standing in recent polls against former President Donald Trump, even in critical battleground states.

However, this strategy shift is causing some unease among Democrats in the upper Midwest who fear the loss of working-class voters who were crucial in the 2020 victories.

This concern is compounded by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' decision not to endorse any candidate this presidential race, a notable step back from their support for Biden in 2020—mirroring internal polls favoring Trump surprisingly higher than previous years.

The evolving demographic dynamics within the Democratic party, from its traditional working-class base to an increasingly professional class-focused electorate, plays into these strategic calculations.

"Consider me in the camp pushing on our future president to keep that industrial policy front and center," said Representative Elissa Slotkin, emphasizing the necessity of addressing industrial policy to resonate with Midwest voters.

Representative Dan Kildee added, stressing the relevance of pointing to tangible industrial accomplishments in Michigan to maintain voter support.

Despite a less pronounced emphasis on manufacturing, Harris's campaign insists that industrial achievements are integrated into her economic narrative. In a presidential debate, Harris did highlight the creation of "800,000 new manufacturing jobs" during her tenure as vice president, although she brought this up later in the debate and in the context of climate change discussions.

Her economic advisers and allies acknowledge that while manufacturing is part of the dialogue, the focus is more on future-oriented policies. Former Governor Terry McAuliffe mentioned that while there is acknowledgment of past investments in manufacturing, the electorate seems more curious about future plans.

Additionally, Representative Ro Khanna and a former economic official from the administration noted Harris's commitment to advancing care economy policies, seeing them as key unfinished elements of the Biden-era proposals.

Yet, doubts linger among key Democrat supporters in Michigan, like Andrew Escobedo and other union members, who advocate for stronger associating of factory growth with Democratic industrial policies to solidify working-class support.

Managing the evolving priorities within the Democratic party, ensuring continued resonance with traditional bases while expanding appeal, remains a central challenge for Harris and her campaign as articulated by various party members and Michigan voters.This conundrum underscores the delicate balancing act Harris faces in her campaign strategy. As she seeks to broaden her appeal and resonate with younger, professional-class voters, she risks alienating the working-class supporters who have historically rallied around Democratic candidates. The anxieties are palpable, particularly as the memories of the 2020 election linger, where every vote in the Rust Belt proved crucial.

Many union members express concern about Harris's ability to uphold the legacy of Biden’s industrial policies. "Democrats still need to do more to ensure working class voters attribute factory growth to Biden’s industrial policies," Andrew Escobedo remarked, encapsulating a sentiment shared by many within the labor community. The challenge lies in ensuring that voters recognize the correlation between the Biden administration’s support for manufacturing and the economic benefits seen in their communities.

Nick Ciaramitaro, a Michigan Public Service Commission commissioner, voiced that while he supports Harris, he believes that Biden's unique position as a champion for unions is unmatched. "I wouldn’t say she’s abandoned [industrial policy], but Joe Biden is a once-in-a-lifetime pro-union president," Ciaramitaro stated, highlighting the heightened expectations for continuity in leadership concerning labor issues.

Gerald Sommerville, president of CWA Local 4100 in Detroit, echoed this apprehension. He expressed hope that Harris could successfully transition from Biden’s legacy while acknowledging the differences in their backgrounds. "She has a different background, but still she has President Biden out in front of her," he remarked, suggesting that if she aligns closely with Biden’s achievements, she could indeed secure the confidence of the union voters.

As the November election approaches, Slotkin is taking proactive steps to ensure that union members remain engaged and supportive of both Harris and her own Senate campaign. She has emphasized the importance of showcasing past industrial policy wins and encouraged Harris to highlight these successes whenever possible. "Any opportunity I get... we're going to be talking about Michigan issues, industrial policy and work — always," Slotkin affirmed, recognizing that the party’s strength lies in its unity and clarity in messaging.

Harris’s campaign team is aware of the uphill battle ahead. With the general election campaign now fully underway, they are tasked with creating a narrative that not only captures the imagination of the Democratic base but also assures traditional constituents that their concerns will not be sidelined. This involves crafting a dual narrative: one that celebrates past successes while also casting a vision that promises further progress in the areas that matter most to everyday Americans.

The next steps for Harris will be critical. Engaging directly with voters in key swing states and addressing their anxieties about her economic strategy will be paramount. Her ability to effectively communicate how her proposed care economy initiatives can complement traditional industrial policies could help bridge the divide within her coalition.

Ultimately, Harris's ascent to the presidential nomination positions her as a historic candidate. However, navigating the complexities of party dynamics, regional priorities, and labor concerns will define her campaign strategy as she endeavors to lead the Democrats into a fresh electoral season. The stakes are high, and as such, every message, speech, and policy proposal will need to resonate with a diverse electorate while retaining the support of core working-class voters. The coming weeks will be crucial in charting a course that fosters unity among varying factions of the party ahead of the pivotal election.

Navid Kalantari for TROIB News