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When Liz Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris, we assumed the former representative would go beyond that, and would actually take the show on the road. Last night, the two women appeared together in Wisconsin. And next week, there will be a series of pro-Harris events, including a fireside chat, in Pennsylvania. For the Keystone State swing, Cheney will be joined by former Trump aides Alyssa Farah Griffin, Cassidy Hutchinson and Sarah Matthews, all of whom have turned against him. The quartet is expected to remain on the hustings for the remainder of the campaign.
And as long as we are on the subject of endorsements, Bruce Springsteen made it official yesterday, and endorsed Harris. That was hardly a surprise, since The Boss is a well-known Democrat. However, his endorsement was pretty blistering. Describing Donald Trump as "the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime," Springsteen declared:
Friends, fans, and the press have asked me who I'm supporting in this most important of elections, and with full knowledge of my opinions no more or less important than those of any of my fellow citizens, here's my answer. I'm supporting Kamala Harris for president and Tim Walz for vice president, and opposing Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Here is why: We are shortly coming upon one of the most consequential elections in our nation's history. Perhaps not since the Civil War has this great country felt as politically, spiritually, and emotionally divided as it does than at this moment. It doesn't have to be this way.
So, that's Springsteen, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, John Legend and Cardi B for Harris, and Kid Rock, Ted Nugent and Lee Greenwood for Trump. Hmmmmm... very tough to say which list is better. Harris also has Mel Brooks, by the way, which should really end the election right there.
Finally, there was also a notable non-endorsement yesterday. The International Association of Fire Fighters announced that it will not back either candidate this year. It's pretty much the same story as with the Teamsters; the rank and file is Trumpy, the leadership knows Trump is anti-labor, and the easiest way out was to turtle up.
With about 331,000 members, the Firefighters union is the 20th largest in the country. Losing their support hurts, but not as much as losing, say, the National Education Association (3 million members) or the Service Employees International Union (2 million members). So, the Democrats' traditional strength with labor, which dates back two centuries, largely remains in effect, at least for now. (Z)