As the upcoming election day approaches, some Michigan Democrats are expressing concerns about a potential repeat of Hillary Clinton's loss in the state. Reports indicate that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump are currently in a tight race in the polls.
Michigan Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of caution, stating, 'Smart Democrats have a healthy sense of paranoia. If polling is as inaccurate as it was in 2016, we could be in trouble.'
A recent poll revealed that Harris holds 48% support in Michigan, closely followed by Trump at 47%. Clinton narrowly lost Michigan to Trump in 2016, marking the first time a Democrat had lost the state since Michael Dukakis in 1988.
Hemond pointed out that some polls failed to accurately reflect the level of support for Trump in Michigan during the previous election cycle.
Representative Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan and a Senate candidate, expressed skepticism about the polling accuracy, stating, 'Anyone who's from Michigan knows that, if you believe the polling, like, I got a bridge I'm going to sell you somewhere.'
Former GOP Michigan Governor John Engler highlighted the significant financial resources available to Democrats but noted the impact of Trump's visits to locations that had not previously hosted presidential visits.
Slotkin raised concerns about Harris's standing in Michigan during a virtual fundraiser, mentioning that Harris was 'underwater' in the state. She acknowledged the common practice of using fears of potential losses to drive fundraising efforts.
Lori Goldman, a Democratic activist and founder of Fems for Dems, observed a surge in fundraising following recent events but noted that the race between Harris and Trump was now extremely close.
Goldman described the current situation as reminiscent of PTSD, reflecting the anxiety and uncertainty among Democrats in Michigan. Patrick Schuh, another Democratic strategist in Michigan, highlighted the need for voters to receive more information about Harris's platform and candidacy.
