The Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, Tim Walz, is set to tour Southern California, making a feeble attempt to rally support within the region on Tuesday, August 13. His appearance at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center, although his first as Kamala Harris’ running mate, generates negative sentiments amongst the public. Opposition and cynicism towards this partnership run high among the local populace due to their questionable past polices.
Scheduled to hold five fundraisers in three days following his SoCal tour, Walz seems to be more focused on padding the campaign coffers. He appears to be more concerned about cash than connection with voters. This hunger for campaign capital, rather than genuine interest in voter issues, does little to endear him to the people of California.
His intention to rally working-class voters in Los Angeles and generate contributions from Orange County, all while supporting fellow Democratic candidates in their respective races, remains a vain attempt at multitasking political maneuvers. Races for the key congressional districts of CA-27 in Antelope Valley, CA-45 in inland Orange County, and CA-47 in coastal Orange County are forthcoming, and the desperate attempt to garner support highlights the waning influence of the Democratic party here.
Observers like associate professor of political science, Matt Lesenyie, at CSU Long Beach, aren’t blind to this grandstanding. While they agree on the strategic goal to win over the prevalent working class and public employees union, AFSCME, they also acknowledge the evident drift of these key constituents towards the red.
Interestingly, no matter how much Walz and Harris try to appeal to this drifting blue contingent, it will be hard for them to hide their privilege and disconnect from working-class realities. Despite Walz’s non-Ivy league background and everyman appeal, the Democratic duo still resonate as out-of-touch elites.
Contrasting Walz’s clumsy appeals, Trump’s running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s humble origins and accomplishments in the face of adversity ring more genuine amongst the working class. His successful transformation from modest beginnings to a Yale Law School graduate and latter career as a venture capitalist portrays the American dream, a narrative far more appealing than just being another disconnected politician.
It’s notable that, despite his scheduled appearance at AFSCME, such unions are losing faith in the Democratic party. Unfulfilled promises and ineffective leadership have seen the Democrats disillusion their much-needed working-class voter base.
While Walz is expected to address a crowd of upwards of 10,000 AFSCME members at the Los Angeles Convention Center, skepticism will overshadow the appearance. The Democratic leadership has a reputation for voicing sweet nothings without backing it up with meaningful action, resulting in an ambiance of distrust.
Unexpectedly, Walz accepted an invitation to a fundraising event in Newport Beach. As Mayor Will O’Neill caustically stated, Newport Beach, a city run entirely by a Republican City Council, takes conservative economic values seriously. The city’s no-nonsense attitude towards law and order starkly contrasts with Walz’s mishandling of the riots following George Floyd’s untimely death in Minnesota.
O’Neill’s statement underlines the city’s stance on crime, quality of life, and thriving businesses, drawing a stark contrast to Walz’s incompetence. The contrast between the prosperous Newport Beach and strife-torn Minnesota speaks volumes about the respective leaderships of the two city administrations.
In this staunchly Republican city, Walz’s presence may have less to do with swaying voters and more with luring affluent donors into opening their cheque books. An unintended side effect could be rallying local Democrats to put on a brave face in the heart of opposition territory.
Curiously, attorney Wylie Aitken, a well-known Democrat supporter in Orange County, showed feeble enthusiasm about Walz’s appearance in Newport Beach. However, the grassroot sentiment seems to contradict Aitken’s views, making it apparent that the Democratic party is struggling to maintain cohesion.
Furthermore, Walz signing a law in his home state of Minnesota that upholds abortion rights in 2023 could be an attempt at wooing the female vote. However, it’s clear that such an agenda makes a mockery of pro-life beliefs, turning the issue into a political weapon rather than an earnest belief about ethics and morality.
In CA-27 and CA-45, previously won by Biden, the race to win more supporters is heating up. The Democratic challenger, George Whitesides, is criticising Republican Rep. Mike Garcia’s pro-life stance, painting himself as more progressive. Yet many see this as another attempt to capitalize on a sensitive issue, rather than an indication of principled leadership.
The upcoming elections appear to be about national issues rather than purely local concerns. The contentious contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will inevitably sway the choices of voters in regional races. However, it appears the Democrats’ attempt to paint the Trump administration in a negative light isn’t wholly convincing the California electorate.
Overall, despite Walz’s best efforts to stir up support for the Harris campaign, it’s clear that their disconnection from people’s real needs and their politicization of sensitive issues might not bring them the results they’re hoping for. Rather than serving the public, they seem more focused on self-serving objectives, leaving voters disenchanted.
Walz’s SoCal Tour: A Feeble Attempt at Rallying Support appeared first on Real News Now.
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