### Harris Campaign Shifts Focus to Manufacturing Amidst Tight Race with Trump

Kamala Harris' presidential campaign is intensifying its focus on manufacturing and blue-collar jobs as it seeks to counter former President Donald Trump's perceived strength among these voters. This shift marks a strategic effort to make up for lost time on the issue. Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz recently criticized Trump in Warren, Michigan, for factory closures that occurred during Trump's presidency. Walz also highlighted the potential impact of Trump's pledge to repeal the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which could affect clean energy manufacturing investments in Michigan and other Rust Belt states.

Walz defended the city of Detroit following Trump’s negative remarks at an economic club in the city, emphasizing Detroit's resurgence with lower crime rates and new factories opening. "All they know about manufacturing is manufacturing lies," Walz said in a blunt remark aimed at Trump and his allies.

The Harris campaign's renewed focus comes amid tightening polls in critical Rust Belt states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where Trump has gained ground among lower-middle and middle-class voters. Harris has been trailing Trump in these key demographics, raising concerns that her struggle to connect with blue-collar workers could cost her the election.

The campaign is now highlighting manufacturing gains under President Joe Biden. Walz accused Trump of failing union workers and encouraging automakers to relocate to anti-union states. Additionally, Trump was criticized for enabling China's advantage in the auto industry. Recently, the Harris campaign dispatched Bernie Sanders and UAW President Shawn Fain to target Trump’s plans to halt a significant investment in an electric vehicle plant near Lansing.

Moderate House Democrat Tim Walz has been a focal point in reaching out to blue-collar workers, despite his controversial 2008 opposition to the UAW-backed auto industry bailout. The Harris campaign, however, downplays the significance of this shift, saying it's broadening the economic message beyond earlier focuses like child tax credits and housing.

Populist Democrats, including former Ohio Congressperson Tim Ryan, have urged Harris to continually emphasize manufacturing, noting that the Democratic party has struggled with working-class voters. The campaign hopes to appeal to these voters by contrasting Trump’s manufacturing record with the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which includes substantial manufacturing incentives.

As the campaign continues to highlight these points, Trump and his allies have attempted to downplay their opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act. Representative Elissa Slotkin recently criticized her GOP opponent, Mike Rogers, for his stance on the electric vehicle market, further fueling the debate.

Labor advocates, including the UAW’s Fain, have called for the Harris campaign to more vigorously promote its accomplishments. Progressive groups like the Working Families Party underline the importance of courting working-class voters for a potential victory. "The path to victory in this race is through the working class," said Maurice Mitchell, head of the party.