Staff Reports
The Democratic Party’s latest maneuver—trading President Joe Biden for Vice President Kamala Harris—might seem like a strategic genius move on paper, but the reality is a bit less rosy. Recent polling from the Teamsters Union reveals a shocking preference amongst its members: former President Donald Trump is leading Harris nearly two-to-one. It’s a stunning turn of events, especially considering this is the first time the Teamsters have failed to endorse the Democratic ticket since Bill Clinton was eating saxophone solos for breakfast in the 90s.
Data shows that while Biden once managed a slim lead among Teamsters—44.3% for Biden versus 36.3% for Trump—things have taken a nosedive post-Biden retirement party. Subsequent polling indicates that Trump has surged to nearly 60% support from these union members, leaving Harris in the dust at a dismal low 30%. Might be time for Harris to hit the panic button, or at the very least, start brushing up on her bridge-building skills.
Biden-Harris swap could open up weakness in ‘blue wall’ voting blocs https://t.co/Oi9Iha4WJy via @dcexaminer
— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) September 20, 2024
In a twist that must have Harris’s campaign staff sweating more than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, the shift in allegiance emphasizes the importance of blue-collar workers from the midwestern “blue wall” states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Collectively, these states could determine the next president, and it appears Trump is taking up the mantle of champion for these hardworking Americans. His campaign is making it crystal clear that Harris’s affinity for fracking bans and electric vehicle mandates may sink even more jobs in these states, with Teamsters now sounding the alarm.
What’s particularly curious is the historical context in which the Teamsters find themselves. Once a reliable ally for Democratic candidates, this union has endorsed Republican heavyweights like Nixon and Reagan before shifting to safer waters in the 1990s. Now, as they stand on the edge of making a decision again, Harris’s efforts to woo union voters are facing heavy turbulence. Trump has been courting this voter bloc heavily, aligning himself with their concerns over job security right in their backyard.
In contrast, Harris and her camp appear to be scrambling to maintain their hold on organized labor support. While they point to some local Teamsters endorsements and Harris’s participation in picket lines, the numbers and sentiments tell a different story. Even a recent poll indicates she’s struggling among key demographics, falling behind her predecessor among black and Hispanic voters. In the midst of all this, Democrat strategists suggest the party needs to urgently address issues of inflation, the very thorn in the side of Americans from all walks of life.
Despite the apparent doom and gloom for the Democrats, a few party loyalists are still holding out hope. A representative from Michigan pushes the narrative that only Harris can rescue the Democratic ticket. But with a rising tide of workers shifting their allegiance to Trump and growing dissatisfaction among traditional Democratic supporters, it’s a gamble that could backfire spectacularly. With Trump reinforcing his bond with union members like never before, Democrats may be facing their toughest challenge yet, compounded by Biden’s inability to capitalize on his own supposed gains for organized labor. You know what they say in politics—sometimes the only thing you can count on is counting votes, and with every new poll, the stakes get higher for a Democratic comeback.
