- Harris visiting Pennsylvania - Trump comments: "Appears more appealing"
Before the Democratic Party convention in Chicago, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her vice president candidate Tim Walz are once again canvasing in Pennsylvania to edge out vital votes. This state, along with other battleground states, is under intense scrutiny from both parties during the U.S. election campaign. In Pennsylvania, Donald Trump, the Republican challenger, lashed out at Harris over the weekend.
Trump: "I look better than Harris"
During an event in Wilkes-Barre, the 78-year-old Trump called Harris a "communist" and a "socialist nut" with a "crazy woman's laugh". He's criticized women as "crazy" in the past. Regarding Harris, he said he was advised against calling her a "nut", but conceded, "But she is. A nut."
He accused Harris of mismanaging the country alongside President Biden. Despite some political advisors advising him to focus on content and avoid personal attacks, Trump went on a verbal tirade against Harris and her supporters, referring to them as "stupid people". Despite being told to curb his swearing, Trump emphasized that there was no better word for describing his opponents than "stupid".
Harris' popularity has grown in polls since Biden stepped down. She's putting pressure on Trump in Pennsylvania, a state that plays a significant role in the energy sector, particularly natural gas extraction. In Wilkes-Barre, Trump promised tax cuts, redirecting climate protection funds to infrastructure, and increased promotion of fossil fuels.
Harris and Walz embark on a bus tour
Harris is canvasing in Pennsylvania on Sunday as well. In the past, she's criticized natural gas extraction through fracking, which could harm her in Pennsylvania. To win over voters, she's touring the state with Walz by bus, accompanied by their spouses Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz. The tour begins in Pittsburgh and includes several stops.
The coming days could be tense for Harris and Walz: On Monday, the Democratic Party convention begins in Chicago, Illinois. Harris' nomination as a candidate after Biden's withdrawal was initially set for Chicago but was handled digitally for administrative reasons. The Chicago gathering is expected to give the Democratic duo a boost for the rest of the campaign, with the final outcome determined in the battleground states.
Battleground states in focus
Most U.S. states are strongly leaning towards either the Republicans or Democrats. However, there are a few states where the race is tight. Close contests are expected in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, among other battleground states.
The unique significance of battleground states arises from the U.S. electoral system: voters choose members for a 538-seat electoral college, which then elects the president or president-elect in December. Candidates do not need the most votes overall, but at least 270 electoral votes to win.
The number of electoral votes per state is generally determined by its population size. For example, California has 55 electoral votes, while Delaware has just three. The majority voting system, common in almost all states, means that the winner of a state takes all its electoral votes, even if the victory is narrow. Consequently, battleground states are pivotal to the election's outcome, especially populous ones like Pennsylvania.
Unequal Representation or Democractic?
However, the allocation of electoral votes is not strictly proportional to population. Some states with fewer inhabitants are relatively more represented. Advocates claim this ensures more balanced representation. Critics argue that winning an election does not necessarily mean having a majority of votes. In U.S. presidential elections, the distinction is made between the actual popular vote and the majority in the electoral college.
For instance, Trump won the presidency in 2016 with slim victories in several battleground states, despite his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton gaining nearly three million more votes nationwide. After losing to Biden in 2020, Trump questioned the election results in several battleground states without substance. Trump's attempts to overturn the results in Georgia resulted in legal consequences and highlighted the critical role of battleground states in U.S. elections.
In response to Trump's critical remarks, Joe Biden's campaign issued a statement denouncing the Republican challenger's attacks on Harris. The statement highlighted the importance of maintaining respectful political discourse and focusing on the issues that matter to American voters.
Following their bus tour in Pennsylvania, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are planning to visit other battleground states, recognizing their vital role in determining the election's outcome.
