The Harris/Walz campaign has latched onto the freedom moniker, and rightfully so. We are in dire need of a frank discussion on freedom in light of Project 2025, the Trumpist’s, and so many elected Republicans, especially at the state level, working tirelessly to end freedom. Well, end freedoms for those who aren’t white, heterosexual, Christian, wealthy, and cis male.
But, as always, while the Harris/Walz camp have been on the road campaigning, I’ve noticed they are being very selective in where they are going. They are essentially visiting the same states over and over, and then over and over again. Those states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin mainly, now also North Carolina and Nevada seem be getting added into the mix. The electoral college vote, as all of us know, is why those states are getting all of the attention. This is quite sad, and it also leaves the rest of us, especially those of us who live in “red” states quite high and dry. It also leaves those “blue” states who are pretty consistent in voting Democratic out of the mix as well, taking them for granted, which is more than a little condescending and disrespectful.
I’m not saying at all that Harris and her surrogates shouldn’t concentrate on the “battleground” states. The popular vote is one thing, but it is the electoral college that has the final say for the presidency. An archaic holdover from our history of slavery that we don’t seem to be able to shake. Even with the work of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, where 18 states representing 209 electoral votes (not including Michigan, which has been controlled fully by Democrats for long enough to have been added to the list, but that is a story for another time), the electoral college is still a challenge.
What I am wondering is, why are Harris and party not taking a few side trips to help Democrats in other states? Why are we being forgotten? When local politics have a major influence in national elections since states control the voting process and who does or doesn’t get to vote, one would think those local elections would matter for any presidential, US Senate, or US House of Representatives candidate each year all year. As we seen each and every election for the last 20+ years, Democrats don’t seem to care though. This is very short-sighted and very dangerous for democracy.
Why would it be so difficult for Harris and/or Walz to take a side trip from Georgia or North Carolina to Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana to stand with state and local officials running for election? Why couldn’t they take a side trip when in Michigan and Pennsylvania to Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky? While in Wisconsin, why would it be so difficult to stop by Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska?
It doesn’t have to be a long stop. It doesn’t have to be many stops. It just has to be a face-to-face be seen kind of event in these states. Those small gestures could go a long way in not only the presidential and other national office elections, but could be the deciding factor in many local elections. There is no doubt of the excitement level generated by Harris/Walz and how it can spread when seeing a candidate and feeling the positive energy of the room.
A visit could spur an increase in the morale and confidence of local Democratic organizers and groups. The visit could spur an increase in voter registration, engagement, and turnout in November. Being in the state could boost donations to local and national campaign coffers.
It really isn’t much to ask of Harris if she is truly going to be a freedom president for all of us. I know in a pinch a President Harris would not have states bidding against one another for medical equipment in a pandemic. Nor would a President Harris say she wouldn’t help a state during an emergency, such as devastating forest fires, because they weren’t being nice to her. Any state or jurisdiction in need of national disaster assistance would receive that aid regardless of political affiliation unlike what her opponent would do.
She has, at almost every stop, talked about reproductive rights in all states. About the freedom to love whom we want. The power of the federal government to help with housing, starting a business, and caring for our families. Speeches speak to having the rich pay their fair share of taxes. All of this is well and good and necessary, but it is still from afar. It isn’t as tangible as hearing those words in-person, being up close and personal, having a chance to say hello and shake the hand of Warren, Shapiro, Whitmer, Buttigieg, Newsome, and many others. But nothing can take the place of having Harris or Walz on the stage in front of you. By not doing something unpredictable, it is a repeat of the same old tired routines, same old dismissal, same old letdowns, and same old influence towards voters believing Democrats at the top don’t care about people in “red” states, flyover country.
Just think of the headlines and chatter on social media if Harris happened to give a speech on the steps of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. What if she stood in front of Bryant’s Grocery in Mississippi? Talked about the right to unionize in front of Walmart Headquarters in Bentonville? Took over a street in the former Black Wall Street area of Tulsa? Filled the Circle in Indianapolis? Did a barn burner somewhere in the heart of Iowa? Think about the energy and headlines that would generate for Harris’ campaign.
It does take a lot to organize an event. Reality of it all is no national politician can just show up somewhere anymore (sad isn’t it) to just hang out with those of us who can’t donate large sums of money to campaigns, but are the backbone, the workers, the families, and the voters of our country.
I would like to issue a dare, a challenge, to the Harris/Walz campaign. Take a chance, a risk no other Democratic presidential candidate has done in a long time, visit someplace unexpected. Go where others have feared to tread. Show us you truly do intend to govern all of us. That you care for everyone regardless of the state in which we live. Help us win locally to benefit all of us nationally.
There is still plenty of time to make many many trips to the “battleground” states. You also have the time, and the money, to make a few excursions into foreign territory that really shouldn’t feel, nor be, foreign territory.
Are you, Madam Vice President and Mr. Governor, a champion of us all, a true believer in freedom for all? If so, take a moment to show us. Many millions of us are waiting for a true fearless leader to meet us where we are, where we struggle day in and day out.
If it is to be freedom for all, prove it!
P.S.—As election day approaches, make sure to check your voter registration status. Republicans across the nation are purging voter rolls, kicking hundreds of thousands of people off voter rolls, thus hindering their legal right to vote. Check your status at vote.org at least weekly to make sure you have time to take any necessary action to have your vote counted should you no longer show as being registered.
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 