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GOVERNMENT
Trump and Vance ramp up Michigan campaigning following DNC As Election Day approaches, presidential candidates are honing in on Michigan, one of seven swing states expected decide the race
MARY COREY
Daily News Editor
As Nov. 5 draws closer, former President Donald Trump and vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, are turning their attention to the seven swing states that could decide the trajectory of the election, including Michigan and its 16 electoral college votes. In the 2016 presidential election, Trump beat out former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Michigan by fewer than 11,000 votes — less than half a percentage point. In 2020, Michigan flipped back to the Democrats when Biden won the state over Trump by about 3 percentage points. Following the 2022 midterm elections, Michigan Democrats took control of the state’s House, Senate and governorship for the first time since 1984. The presidential race is expected to be close, though recent polls of Michigan show Harris taking a slight lead over Trump. While Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accepted their party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention, Trump made a campaign stop in Howell on Aug. 21. In his remarks, Trump focused on his dedication to supporting law enforcement officials and ensuring safety for Americans. “Our policemen and women have the backs of law-abiding citizens every single day,” Trump said. “They take care of what they have to do in some very adverse conditions. And when we go back to the White House, you’re going to see support the likes of which you haven’t seen certainly in four years.” He also criticized the DNC, saying he felt Democrats avoided discussing the country’s most prevalent issues. “The crime in America, the fact is, is out of control,” Trump said. “I watched last night in amazement as they tried to pretend that everything was great, the crime was great, the border was great,
BELA FISCHER/Daily
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Turning Point Convention in Detroit.
there wasn’t a problem at all. No inflation, no nothing.” Vance also took the stage in Michigan. In a campaign event in Big Rapids on Aug. 27, he criticized Harris for her role in the Biden administration. “As much as fake Kamala wants to pretend that she now agrees with Donald Trump, we’ve got to remind her, she’s the vice president right now,” Vance said. “Stop talking about what you’re going to do. Start talking about what you are going to do right now because you’re the vice president.” In an appeal to working-class voters in the state, Vance criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement. NAFTA, signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in 1993, has become a talking point for Republicans as a cause for the loss of American jobs.
The tangible impact of NAFTA is debated, with most Americans viewing it favorably while it was in effect. Although Harris was not in Congress when NAFTA was passed, she did vote against Trump’s replacement for the deal — the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement — which replaced NAFTA in 2020. “Remember, Kamala Harris supported the reauthorization of NAFTA, which has been terrible for the state of Michigan, the state of Ohio and the state of Pennsylvania,” Vance said. “Proud towns became ghost towns. Dignified American workers became dependent on the government and families, including a lot of families like mine, fell apart under financial stress.” Vance also criticized Democrats’ focus on joy at the DNC, pitching Trump to voters as the candidate
of hope. “While Donald Trump is the people’s president and Kamala Harris is running on a fake joy, Donald Trump is going to offer something very, very different,” Vance said. “He’s going to offer a very real hope for the future of this country. Hope that we can reignite our economy and bring back prosperity. Hope that we can raise our kids in secure neighborhoods with safe borders. Hope that we can renew the patriotism that binds us together as one nation under God.” Trump returned to the state on Aug. 29 for an event at Alro Steel in Potterville focused on the economy and manufacturing jobs. He criticized Harris for her role in the Biden administration, highlighting high costs and inflation, which he promises to reduce if he wins reelection.
“She does not care about the middle class struggling over inflation, the cost of gasoline, electricity, and she doesn’t care about the cost of food,” Trump said. “She does not care if you lose your job, or cannot find another comparable job. She doesn’t care. She does not care if you have to run up your credit card to levels that are unsustainable. She does not care if you and your family are struggling. And she did absolutely nothing to fix it.” Brian Pannebecker, founder of Auto Workers for Trump 2024, also took the stage in Potterville. The group formed in opposition to the views of the United Auto Workers union, which endorsed Harris after previously endorsing President Joe Biden. The UAW came into the political spotlight after their strike last fall against the Big Three
automakers: General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Pannebecker said he was worried about the potential economic impact of increased production of electric vehicles on manufacturing jobs. “Listen, Chrysler and General Motors have already gone bankrupt once, but if we allow electric vehicle mandates to be put on this industry by the federal government, they’re going out of business again,” Pannebecker said. “We (have) got to fight against that.” In an interview with The Michigan Daily, LSA junior Kyle Brown, chairman of the University of Michigan chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, said he felt some young conservatives had reservations about Trump going into election season. “I think a lot of people just want a fresh start on both sides with their respective candidates,” Brown said. “The liberals were successful, conservatives not so much. There are certain parts about Trump that people are excited about, certain parts that they are not so excited about, but you can’t get everything you want from a candidate.” Brown said while some conservatives may not agree with all of Trump’s stances, he believes most would still prefer him to Harris. “I think true conservatives are choosing between two candidates that they are not really the biggest fans of but, all things considered, they’d rather have Trump than (Harris),” Brown said. “Trump’s going to have to do a lot more moderating to actually start pissing conservatives off to the point where they won’t vote for him.” Democrats have also been focusing their efforts on Michigan; Harris made a campaign stop in Detroit on Labor Day to speak alongside national union leaders. Gwen Walz spoke at an event for the Michigan Education Association on Wednesday. Biden is set to take the stage in Ann Arbor tomorrow at the United Association Local 190 Training Center to give remarks on his Investing in America agenda.
NEWS
BUSINESS
In their statement, BSU reaffirmed its support for Palestinian liberation
Legends Global Merchandise takes over the management of the MDen as part of a 10-year partnership with the University
BSU withdraws from TAHRIR coalition, cites instances of anti-Blackness MATILDA SOPHIA MOTTOLA Daily Staff Reporter
The University of Michigan Black Student Union announced on Friday it would withdraw from the TAHRIR Coalition, a group of more than 90 proPalestine student organizations, citing concerns that Black voices and identities are not valued within the coalition. The BSU emphasized continued support for Palestinian liberation in its Instagram post announcing the withdrawal, reaffirming its call for the U-M administration to divest from companies profiting off the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
“The genocide in Gaza is intolerable, and the complicity of the University of Michigan through their investments in companies facilitating that genocide is inexcusable,” the statement read. “Our support and allyship with the people of Palestine, and our advocacy for a free Palestine remains unshakeable.” According to the statement, the BSU made the decision to leave the coalition after repeated instances of members of the Black community being dismissed and criticized by other coalition members. “However, it has become increasingly apparent that Black identities, voices, and bodies are not valued in this coalition, and thus, we must remove ourselves,”
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the statement read. “Members of our organization and our community have dedicated their time, energy, and wellbeing to the continued existence and strength of the coalition — despite repeated instances of being erased, belittled, and berated.” The BSU also emphasized the intersection of the Black and Palestinian struggles but said they will not take part in an organization where they are not valued or respected. “The BSU’s solidarity with the Palestinian people is unwavering, but the integrity of the TAHRIR Coalition is deeply questionable,” the statement read. Read more at MichiganDaily.com
UMich finds new MDen contractor after owner declares bankruptcy EILENE KOO
Daily Staff Reporter
Nearly a month after MDen’s previous contractor, Heritage Collegiate Apparel, declared bankruptcy, the University of Michigan Athletic Department began a new partnership with Legends Global Merchandise. The deal, announced Aug. 31, includes a 10-year partnership with the contractor, which will sell U-M branded merchandise under the University’s name. Athletic Director Warde Manuel announced in a press release that this new relationship with Legends will allow the sale of U-M branded apparel and merchandise to continue. “Our partnership with
Legends will provide our fans with a fully integrated retail experience both in-venue and online,” Manuel wrote. “Fans will be able to purchase a comprehensive assortment of licensed products from a bestin-class retail partner that focuses on a holistic customer experience. We are excited to begin this new venture with Legends.” MDen was originally co-founded in 1976 by David Hirth and Doug Horning, two Ann Arbor businessmen and friends who bought the shop — previously known as Stein & Goetz Sports Goods. The company became the University’s official retailer in the early 1990s. With the exception of 2009, when their
contract ended for a year, MDen has been the go-to store for all apparel and merchandise for many U-M fans, students and athletes. Scott Hirth, son of David Hirth and former Heritage president, filed for a chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 16. Amid piling debts to vendors and building owners for missing rent and services payments — including about $9 million owed for royalties to the University Athletic Department, $2.6 million debt to Nike, $4.2 million in damages to Branded Custom Sportswear and $66,766 in unpaid rent to Briarwood Mall — the company defaulted on its payments. Read more at MichiganDaily.com
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INDEX
Vol. CXXXVI No. 29 ©2024 The Michigan Daily
N E W S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 ARTS........................4 MIC.........................6
OPINION................7 S TAT E M E N T. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SPORTS..................11