Far from being a beacon of hope for the Democratic party, Senator Jacky Rosen appears to be teetering on the edge of political instability. Despite leading her GOP adversary by a thin margin in some polls, complacency is not at her disposal as she faces an uphill battle in her bid for re-election. The landscape of Washoe County, notably deemed a political battlefield in Nevada, shows hints of Democratic optimism but is also reflective of the unpredictable nature of the political sphere.
Down south, in rustic Douglas County, the modest buzz of political activity is barely sufficient to drown the concerns surrounding Ms. Rosen’s political campaign. There, even Republicans and non-affiliates seem to entertain curiosity regarding the Democratic campaign, looking for volunteering opportunities and ways to fund Ms. Rosen’s bid. Yet, one can’t help but question the authentic allegiance behind this curiosity.
Ms. Rosen, a political novice serving her first senate term finds herself caught in an electoral storm of high competition and hefty financial implications. She cancelled her participation in the Democratic Convention in Chicago, choosing to focus instead on battling her Republican opponent, Sam Brown. The staunch conservative and ex-Army captain poses as a formidable contender but the looming question remains: who indeed will triumph in one of the nation’s most grueling and costly races?
While Ms. Rosen may attempt to garner benefits from the surging enthusiasm amongst the Democrats, the spotlight remains firmly on Kamala Harris, who usurped Joe Biden as the presidential nominee. It seems local Democratic leaders are benefitting more from the switch, having observed increased visitor footfall in their offices and a spike in inquiries about volunteerism and donation. This, however, doesn’t guarantee a solid base for Ms. Rosen.
Nevada presents another limbo for Ms. Rosen, where cut-throat competition and often slim margins of victory make incumbent advantage inconsequential. This volatile territory presents a unique challenge given its transitory populace. Amid such uncertainty, the erstwhile absentee from the Democratic National Convention finds herself attempting to connect with the local labor groups and gain the support of the Latino community.
Ms. Rosen’s foray into politics, back in 2016, was orchestrated by the late Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader. As an outside entrant with a background void of political experience, Rosen barely managed to scrape a victory against her Republican adversary, landing a seat in Nevada’s Third District. Yet, her victory then seems to be significantly reliant on the ‘blue wave’ that followed Trump’s election, casting doubt on the strength and independence of her political persona.
In hopes of ensuring a re-election victory, Ms. Rosen will need to win over a large faction of independent voters. Nevada experienced an increase in voter registration from January 2020, courtesy of a new automatic registration system. But, will this spike prove beneficial to her cause, or will it further divide the political allegiance?
A considerable part of Ms. Rosen’s strategy includes projecting herself as a bipartisan figurehead. Promoting her relationships with other elected officials and community leaders in Nevada is central to this agenda. Yet, can this attempt at political neutrality truly convince the public of her capability?
Ms. Rosen made a recent appearance in downtown Reno with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other elected officials for the inauguration of a bridge construction project. The funding for this project emerged largely from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which Ms. Rosen aided in drafting. Yet, whether this association with infrastructure development will hold any sway over the voters’ minds is highly debatable.
The fact that Ms. Rosen has devoted a startling $22.5 million in ad reservations from April 2 until Election Day is a testament to her intense efforts to remain relevant. This seems to be a desperate attempt to drown out the voice of her adversary, Sam Brown. In an expected move, she portrayed Brown as being against women’s rights after his 2014 support for a 20-week abortion ban, from which he publicly retracted.
Democrats appear to pounce on any opportunity to discredit Brown, including his previously stated admiration for Senator Rick Scott’s agenda to phase out all federal programs within five years. Interestingly, they seem to target Medicare and Social Security specifically, two cornerstones of social safety nets dear to many Americans.
Republicans fired back at Rosen by tying her with the ongoing societal turbulence under Biden’s administration, marked by rampant inflation and high consumer prices. In their backlash, they alleged that Rosen’s support for the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 inadvertently approved Covid stimulus payments for non-citizens. However, these rewards were designed exclusively for American citizens and authentic permanent residents.
Alas, Jacky Rosen is caught in an endeavor to justify her alliance with Biden-Harris. This association might just be the windmill of her downfall. On the other hand, Sam Brown’s inscription as a dedicated patriot and an outsider to the political establishment projects a stark contrast to Rosen’s stance. This could very well shake the fragile ground on which Rosen currently stands.
The Downfall of Rosen: Biden-Harris Alliance a Costly Mistake? appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
