Rep. Ilhan Omar, known for her controversial stance, recently shared her insights on where she believes the Democratic presidential ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz went wrong. According to Omar, a significant misstep was the campaign's decision to embrace endorsements from former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Omar highlighted that this move was particularly detrimental in battleground state Michigan, where the Uncommitted Movement held sway. This movement, comprising a significant Arab and Muslim population, withheld support from President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris due to their perceived failure to hold Israel accountable for the conflict in Gaza.
Expressing her concern, Omar emphasized the negative connotations associated with the Cheney name, especially in relation to war. She suggested that this endorsement choice reflected misplaced priorities on the part of the Harris-Walz campaign.
The strategy to attract disaffected Republicans by promoting Liz Cheney's endorsement and hosting events with her and Harris in Wisconsin was also criticized by Omar. She pointed out that this approach may have alienated voters in Michigan, particularly in the city of Dearborn, home to a sizable Arab community.
Omar noted that a personal touch, exemplified by President-elect Donald Trump's meeting with the Democratic mayor of Dearborn, could have made a difference. She lamented the absence of such engagement from the Harris-Walz team.
Despite her history of opposition to Trump, Omar expressed a willingness to collaborate with his administration while maintaining her stance against policies she deemed harmful to her constituents. With concerns about a potential return of Trump to office, Omar voiced fears that Israel might receive tacit approval to escalate conflict in the region.
The Harris-Walz team did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.
