The Democratic Convention is in full swing in Chicago, and all eyes are on Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as they officially become the Democratic ticket for 2024. The fanfare, the speeches, the endless applause—it’s all the usual political theater.

But while the party faithful gathered to cheer on their nominees, Kamala Harris decided to play her cards a little differently. Instead of being front and center at her own convention, she made a brief surprise appearance on Monday, only to then disappear into the swing state of Wisconsin, seemingly more concerned with rallying voters than celebrating with her party.

This move is raising eyebrows across the political spectrum. It’s no secret that Kamala Harris has had a rocky relationship with key figures in her party, most notably former President Barack Obama. Just a month ago, reports surfaced that Obama privately did not support Kamala, taking nearly a week to publicly endorse her while the rest of the party jumped on the bandwagon within a day. Now, with the convention in full swing, Kamala seems to be struggling to gain solid footing within her own ranks, dodging what should have been a prime opportunity to unite her party.

Instead of basking in the glow of the Democratic Convention, Kamala was busy barnstorming through Wisconsin, a critical battleground state that the Democrats narrowly lost in 2016. It’s a curious move, to say the least, especially given that Barack and Michelle Obama, the party’s golden couple, were headlining the second night of the convention.

The Ghost of 2016 Haunts the Democrats

Wisconsin is a state that holds particular significance for Democrats. The ghost of 2016 haunts them still, as Hillary Clinton’s failure to campaign there is widely regarded as one of the reasons she lost the election. Kamala Harris, it seems, is determined not to make the same mistake.

From Politico:
While the party celebrated her in Chicago Tuesday night, the vice president packed Fiserv Forum here with more than 15,000 supporters, her third appearance in the crucial battleground state since her campaign launched last month. In no accident, she filled the same arena that swarms of GOP delegates and party officials occupied for the Republican convention in July. The ghost of 2016 has haunted Democrats since Hillary Clinton narrowly lost the state after not campaigning there, a grave mistake Harris doesn’t want to repeat.

But while Kamala may be eager to lock down Wisconsin, her absence from the convention raises questions. Why wasn’t she there to rub shoulders with the Obamas, to bask in the party’s adulation, and to solidify her standing as the Democratic nominee? The decision to skip out on the convention and instead focus on swing-state voters could be seen as a sign of weakness, a tacit admission that she doesn’t have the full confidence of her party.

The Obama Factor

Barack Obama’s lukewarm support for Kamala Harris has been a topic of speculation for weeks. The former president, who was instrumental in rallying support for Joe Biden, has been notably less enthusiastic about Kamala.

Some insiders suggest that Obama wanted Joe out, but not necessarily Kamala in. His delayed endorsement and apparent reluctance to fully embrace her candidacy have fueled rumors of a rift within the Democratic Party.

Kamala’s decision to dodge a personal appearance with Obama during the convention only adds fuel to the fire. Was she avoiding a potentially awkward encounter? Or was she simply more concerned with shoring up support in Wisconsin than with mending fences in her own party? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Kamala is navigating a tricky political landscape, one that requires her to balance party loyalty with the need to win over voters in key battleground states.

Meanwhile, her running mate, Tim Walz, is facing his own set of challenges. The Minnesota governor has been dogged by accusations of stolen valor, criticized for his handling of the 2020 riots in Minneapolis, and ridiculed for his progressive policies. Together, Kamala and Walz make for a ticket that is anything but reassuring to the moderate and independent voters who will ultimately decide the election.

The Trump Factor

While Kamala is busy barnstorming through Wisconsin, Donald Trump is making his presence felt at the Republican Convention. The former president has been everywhere, dominating the headlines and keeping the spotlight firmly on himself. His decision to challenge Kamala to three debates in September has put her on the defensive, and her refusal to commit to the debates has only added to the perception that she’s running scared.

Trump’s strategy is clear: he’s going to outwork, outmaneuver, and outlast Kamala Harris. And so far, it seems to be working. Kamala’s decision to skip the convention on Tuesday night in favor of campaigning in Wisconsin is a sign that she knows she’s in trouble. But whether her strategy will pay off remains to be seen.

Key Takeaways:

• Kamala Harris dodged a personal appearance with the Obamas at the Democratic Convention, raising questions about her relationship with the former president.
• Her decision to focus on Wisconsin instead of the convention suggests that she’s worried about her chances in November.
• Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign strategy is putting Kamala on the defensive, forcing her to play catch-up in key battleground states.

Sources: Politico