Harris makes move that could backfire in critical swing state

Vice President Kamala Harris' decision to run against former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney could backfire in Michigan, where Cheney is extremely unpopular with key voters in the battleground state.

“For us as Arab Americans, it was surprising that Kamala Harris brought in someone whose last name is a constant reminder of war crimes in the Middle East,” said Hamtramck Mayor Amer Gharib. he told reporters in an online call Monday. Liz Cheney's father, Dick Cheney, served as vice president under former President George W. Bush and was a strong supporter of the 2003 Iraq war.

The comments came as Harris embarked on a tour of three battleground states with Cheney, a Republican who has long sparred with former President Donald Trump and is opposed to re-election. The tour ended in Royal Oak in southeastern Michigan, where Ms. Cheney joined Ms. Harris for a town hall-style event and implored moderate Republicans to join her in supporting her.

“I don't think I know if there's anyone more conservative than me, and I understand that protecting the Constitution is the most conservative value,” Cheney told the audience.

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But while Harris hopes the former Republican will help attract more voters in Michigan, a state that is expected to be very close, Cheney's visit to the state, which typically supports Democrats, will This angered the group, which tends to do this.

“From what I see, the Arab American community is very disappointed,” said Ghalib, who is currently supporting Trump in the election. “Bringing this person into our backyard and reminding us of all the tragedies that have happened in the Middle East tells us there will be more wars if Kamala Harris is elected.”

Harris' fight with Arab-American residents in Michigan came before she rose to the top with a movement out of Dearborn, Michigan. Initially, a movement to resist President Biden's re-election gained momentum due to dissatisfaction with the administration's handling of the conflict. In Gaza.

When Harris became the nominee to replace Biden in the summer, many community leaders were willing to give her a chance, but in the months since, rifts between Harris and key figures have grown. seems to have deepened.

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) answers questions during a town hall-style campaign event with former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on October 21, 2024 in Brookfield, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Buzzi said in the same call: “It's very, very unfortunate and in some ways disgusting to bring someone, Cheney, here.” “There is no peace in the family.”

Trump appears to have gained momentum in Michigan in recent weeks, with the latest Real Clear Politics polling average giving him a 1.2 point lead in the state. Although still a close race, Trump's lead marks a dramatic change from late August, when Harris had a 2.2 percentage point lead over the former president. Meanwhile, in the latest edition of FOX News' Power Rankings, the state has moved from “Democratic support” to “increasing support.”

Both mayors have announced their support for Trump in the upcoming election, but Ghalib argued that Harris bringing Cheney to the state would only further alienate members of the Muslim community.

Vice President Kamala Harris (center) and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney (right) work together on campaigning in three key battleground states, starting with Malvern, Pennsylvania, on October 21, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

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“Her coming with Mr. Cheney was extremely insulting to our community,” Ghalib said. “I don't see how it's going to help her…I think it's just a stupid move…it's only going to hurt.”

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.