Staff Reports
The recent polling news out of Minnesota isn’t just a bump in the road for the Democrats; it’s more like a full-on detour. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris thought she was hitting the jackpot by selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Instead, it appears she’s dealing with a major flop just weeks after the party’s convention. The latest surveys reveal that her once-healthy 10-point lead over Donald Trump has shriveled down to a mere five points. From a smooth 50% to 40%, she now hovers at 48% against Trump’s 43%, proving that a Democratic boost isn’t always a given when adding a local favorite to the ticket.
This polling result is particularly eye-opening, especially considering it was conducted with a sample that leaned Democrat, comprising 40% Democratic respondents versus 35% Republicans. In a state where Democrats typically reign supreme, a mere five-point advantage is like a siren warning them that something is seriously amiss. Not only is Harris finding her grip slipping away, but Walz’s approval ratings are also sinking like a stone. Only 52% of voters surveyed view him as a competent choice, with a staggering 34% branding him as a poor pick.
Based on This Minnesota Poll, Did Kamala Choose the Wrong Horse for a Running Mate? https://t.co/ZQoSvKrY2f
— Hans Slade (@hansslade4) September 3, 2024
The discontent doesn’t end there. Even among key demographics like young voters, who Harris desperately needs on her side, only 49% find Walz to be a commendable selection. The other half is decidedly unimpressed, which makes one question whether Walz is the right fit for a ticket that’s supposed to energize the base. The situation is so dire that even parents are giving him a lukewarm embrace, with 48% expressing some level of favor while 49% are less than convinced.
Looking beyond Minnesota, one cannot help but wonder about the missed opportunity for Democrats in Pennsylvania. There was chatter of Governor Josh Shapiro being The Chosen One for the role of VP—a pick that could have solidified their stance in a crucial battleground state. However, rumors suggest Shapiro was less than enthusiastic about leaving his post. After all, why jump into a circus when you can keep your dignity intact? He seems to have an eye on his future presidential aspirations, which might be why he didn’t want to gamble away his political capital.
As for Harris, she might want to reconsider her strategy moving forward. Trump’s tightening presence in Minnesota may offer some comic relief for the right, but it’s clear that Democrats need to switch gears. Instead of getting lost in the weeds of their lackluster ticket, it could be far more productive to focus on attacking Harris and Walz’s records while honing in on states like Pennsylvania, which remains critical for any path to electoral victory. For now, things are looking less like a winning campaign and more like a cautionary tale of bad choices made in the Democratic Party.
