The Democratic governors of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin this week embarked on a swiftly organized bus tour, rolling through the autumn landscape to press the urgency of the case for Vice President Kamala Harris in must-win states where some Democrats worry that she's struggling.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers all descended on Flint Thursday afternoon, joined by the chairman of the national Democratic Party, Jaime Harrison. In a joint interview with The Associated Press, all three acknowledged the enormity of the stakes but dismissed any suggestion that their effort reflected anything other than the need to have all hands engaged in the fight.
"All three of us know what it's like to compete and win really tough, close races," said Shapiro. "So I think the more we can get out there and not only thank volunteers for being here today, we can also maybe calm some nerves too."
Despite these reassurances, some Michigan Democrats have voiced concerns about Harris' chances in the state against former President Donald Trump. Rep. Debbie Dingell has remarked that "no one" is currently winning Michigan, while Rep. Elissa Slotkin, running for the U.S. Senate, has said that she's seen signs that Harris is trailing in the state.
At an indoor farmer's market in Flint, signs of an event that came together quickly were hard to miss. Music blared from an iPhone after the venue's sound system failed. One attendee, Debbie McIntosh, said she received a "last-minute invitation yesterday."
