States like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are politically diverse and considered swing states. Recent polling by Blueprint, a left-leaning public opinion research initiative, reveals that swing state voters have a mix of conservative and liberal views. They hold conservative views on immigration and crime but are pro-choice and support government action to control corporate excesses. These voters reward pragmatic populist positions rather than strict ideological consistency.
The polling also shows that swing state voters want corporations to be held accountable for their crimes but also believe in individual accountability within the criminal justice system. This presents an opportunity for Kamala Harris to emphasize her background as a former prosecutor who is committed to seeing justice served.
Swing state voters are also concerned about the national deficit but are open to more government intervention in markets. They prioritize lowering prices on consumer goods and services as their top economic priority.
The article suggests that Harris’s somewhat vague yet pragmatic approach on the economic front may be effective in appealing to these diverse swing state voters. While more detailed policy plans will be necessary if she wins the election, her heterodox approach could serve her well now.
It is important to note that swing states vary significantly in terms of demographics and political history. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania have been battleground states due to their industrial backgrounds shifting towards the Republican party over time. Georgia and North Carolina have seen demographic changes with an influx of skilled workers making them more supportive of globalization. Arizona and Nevada have younger populations with a libertarian streak influenced by immigration issues.
while swing state voters may have differing viewpoints across these states, both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were successful in winning them over with detailed economic visions. It is expected that Kamala Harris will need a similar approach if she wants to secure victory in these crucial battlegrounds.
