Harris and Walz Reach Out to Voters in GOP Strongholds During Southeast Georgia Bus Tour

Connecting with the Community: A High School Visit

The tour kicked off with a visit to Liberty County High School in Hinesville, where Harris and Walz dropped in on a band practice session. The vice president, known for her engaging and personable approach, immediately connected with the students by sharing her own experiences as a former band member. Harris, who played the French horn, xylophone, and kettle drums during her school days, expressed pride in the students’ achievements and emphasized the critical role their generation will play in shaping the future of the nation.

“We’re so proud of you and we’re counting on you,” Harris told the students, many of whom were visibly excited by her presence. “Your generation is what is going to propel our country into the next era of what we can do and what we can be.”

This visit is emblematic of the Harris-Walz campaign’s strategy to use smaller, more intimate settings to build personal connections with voters. By choosing venues like high schools and community gathering places, the campaign aims to reach voters in areas that are often overlooked by national political campaigns, particularly those in GOP-leaning regions.

Strategic Stops and Voter Engagement

The Liberty County High School visit was just the beginning of a tour designed to engage voters on a more personal level. Following the school visit, Harris and Walz made a stop at Sandfly, a popular barbecue restaurant located just outside Savannah. The restaurant, known for its down-home atmosphere and Southern cooking, provided an ideal backdrop for the kind of informal voter interactions the campaign is aiming for.

At Sandfly, Harris and Walz met with several patrons, including a group of teachers who expressed their appreciation for Walz’s background as a former high school teacher. The encounter highlighted the campaign’s emphasis on relatable, everyday experiences that resonate with voters. This stop, like others on the tour, was designed to create viral moments that could cut through the crowded media landscape and reach a wider audience.

Michael Tyler, the communications director for the Harris campaign, explained the significance of these bus tours: “They offer an opportunity to get to places we don’t usually go and make sure we’re competing in all communities.” By bringing the campaign to smaller towns and rural areas, the Harris-Walz team hopes to energize voters who might not typically feel engaged in the political process.

Building on Previous Successes in Georgia

The decision to focus on southeast Georgia reflects lessons learned from past Democratic victories in the state. In 2020, President Joe Biden narrowly won Georgia by just a quarter of a percentage point, largely thanks to strong turnout in Atlanta and its suburbs. However, the Harris-Walz campaign understands that to secure a victory in 2024, they need to expand their appeal beyond the urban centers.

This strategy is not without precedent. In 2022, Senator Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s first Black senator, won reelection by nearly 3 percentage points. His campaign was notable for its outreach to voters in deep-red areas of the state, a tactic that the Harris-Walz campaign is now employing. The operatives who played key roles in Warnock’s victory are now working on Harris’s campaign, bringing their experience and insights to the effort.

A Bus Tour with a Personal Touch

The bus tour itself is a key part of the campaign’s strategy to present a more personal and approachable image of the candidates. The bus, emblazoned with “Harris Walz” in large letters and the slogan “A New Way Forward,” is actually an armored U.S. Secret Service vehicle. Despite its imposing exterior, the bus symbolizes the campaign’s commitment to meeting voters where they are, in communities that might not otherwise see much of the candidates.

The tour will culminate in a rally in Savannah, a city with a rich history and a diverse electorate. By holding events in such locations, the campaign hopes to build on the momentum from previous stops and energize voters ahead of the November election.

Contrasting Styles with the GOP

The Harris-Walz tour stands in stark contrast to recent campaign events held by the Republican ticket. For example, during a visit to a bakery in Valdosta, Georgia, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, struggled to connect with employees, leading to an awkward exchange that highlighted the differences in campaign styles. The Harris-Walz team, on the other hand, has focused on creating a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at their events, which they believe will help them connect with voters on a deeper level.

In addition to their in-person outreach, the Harris campaign has also launched a new ad targeting former President Donald Trump’s association with the conservative “Project 2025.” This detailed 920-page handbook for governing under the next Republican administration includes plans to oust thousands of civil servants and reverse the approval of medications used in abortions. The ad portrays Trump as seeking control over voters, part of a $370 million digital and television ad campaign that will run across battleground states from Labor Day to Election Day.

Conclusion: A Strategic Effort to Secure Georgia

As the 2024 election draws closer, the Harris-Walz bus tour through southeast Georgia represents a strategic effort to broaden the Democratic base and secure a victory in this critical battleground state. By reaching out to voters in GOP strongholds and using personal, relatable engagements, the campaign hopes to build a coalition that can deliver a win in November. The success of this strategy will likely play a key role in determining the outcome of the election, not just in Georgia, but across the nation.