Kamala Harris is doing everything she can to rally the Democrats against Donald Trump. But many in her own party aren’t buying it.
And now, Kamala Harris has been stabbed in the back by a Democrat Senator.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced that he will skip the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and will not be campaigning alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential bid.
This decision comes as Brown faces a tough reelection battle in Ohio, a state increasingly leaning towards former President Donald Trump.
Brown’s strategy is clear: distance himself from the national Democratic leadership to focus on his own race and the specific concerns of Ohio voters. This move is part of a broader issue within the Democratic Party as it deals with internal divisions and waning support in key battleground states.
Facing a formidable Republican challenger in Bernie Moreno, Brown has chosen to concentrate his efforts on local issues rather than aligning himself with the broader Democratic agenda. “It’s not left or right. It’s not who you vote for, for president,” Brown told CNN. “It’s who stands up for people in the state.”
By keeping the spotlight on Moreno’s character and business practices, Brown hopes to sway voters who may support Trump but are open to splitting their ticket for a candidate they perceive as fighting for their interests.
With the stark reality that just one candidate out of 69 Senate races in 2016 and 2020 won when their state voted for a presidential candidate of the opposite party, Brown’s approach is pragmatic. He acknowledges the challenge of getting voters to back both him and a presidential candidate from a party they oppose.
Brown’s decision not to campaign with Kamala Harris speaks volumes about her standing within certain Democratic circles. Harris, often seen as a polarizing figure, has struggled to gain traction even within her own party.
Brown’s comments highlight a significant rift. “I’ve got my own schedule,” Brown said. “She’s got her own schedule. I will focus on my race. My strategy is perhaps different from hers … talking about the differences on abortion rights and on the minimum wage between Bernie Moreno and me and how I fight every day for the dignity of work.”
By skipping the DNC and avoiding a public endorsement of Harris, Brown is signaling that he believes aligning with her could be detrimental to his campaign.
This sentiment is echoed by many Democrats in contested states who are wary of Harris’s impact on their races.
The Democratic Party faces an uphill battle in maintaining its slim majority in the U.S. Senate. With West Virginia and Montana potentially swinging towards Republicans, every seat counts.
Ohio, a state that voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020, is a critical battleground. Brown’s decision to skip the convention and distance himself from Harris and Biden is a clear indication of the challenges the party faces in retaining support in such states.
President Joe Biden’s administration, particularly his handling of the Southern Border with Mexico, has come under intense scrutiny.
Brown’s refusal to defend Biden’s record further illustrates the internal discord within the party. “I often skip conventions,” Brown said, adding that he will not defend Kamala’s record.
“My job is to fight for Ohio workers. You can talk about the presidential race. That’s your job. … I know that what will matter is people vote for me because I stand up for workers and will continue to fight for workers.”
On the other side, Bernie Moreno is optimistic about his chances, bolstered by the perceived weaknesses of Harris. “Oh, it helps me tremendously,” Moreno told CNN. “So maybe Scranton Joe had a little bit of credibility here in Ohio. San Francisco Kamala absolutely does not.”
Moreno’s confidence highlights the Republican sentiment that Democrats’ internal divisions and unpopular leadership could pave the way for significant gains in the upcoming elections.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
