Thu Sep 19 04:06:50 UTC 2024: ## Harris Courts Polish American Voters Amid Ukraine War Concerns

**HARRISBURG, PA** – With the presidential election looming, the Democratic campaign is stepping up its outreach to Polish Americans, a key demographic in battleground states. Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on the community’s strong anti-Russia sentiment, particularly in light of President Trump’s perceived hesitancy to fully support Ukraine in the ongoing war.

Harris, who visited Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin this week, hosted a national call with Polish American supporters, urging them to organize local events and spread the campaign’s message.

The focus on Polish Americans stems from their significant presence in key swing states, including Michigan (784,000), Pennsylvania (758,000), and Wisconsin (481,000). Experts argue that a few thousand votes in these states could determine the election’s outcome.

The campaign is also capitalizing on Trump’s controversial stance on the Ukraine war. During a debate, Trump refused to state whether he wanted Ukraine to win, instead suggesting a negotiated settlement. This sparked criticism from Harris, who accused Trump of being too willing to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“If Trump had been president when the invasion took place, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe,” Harris declared during the debate.

Many Polish Americans, with their deep-seated historical anxieties about Russian aggression, were concerned by Trump’s response. They fear that a potential Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden Putin to target Poland next.

This sentiment was further emphasized by Trump’s cancelled visit to a Polish American shrine in Pennsylvania, where he was scheduled to unveil a monument to the anticommunist Solidarity movement. The visit was cancelled amidst concerns that Trump’s stance on Ukraine could alienate Polish American voters.

While the Polish American community has historically swung between Democrats and Republicans, they voted for Trump in 2016 but supported President Biden in 2020. This year, the focus is on the war in Ukraine and the candidates’ perceived commitment to NATO and Eastern European security.

The campaign is a tight race, with both sides vying for the support of this influential demographic.

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