Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro turned the desk on Republicans’ “freedom” rhetoric throughout his speech in help of Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic Nationwide Conference (DNC) on Wednesday.

Shapiro took the stage on the second evening of the DNC in Chicago to help Harris, who grew to become the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July. He was considered as a possible operating mate for Harris, although the nominee in the end selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Throughout his speech, Shapiro branded Democrats because the “celebration of actual freedom,” turning the tables on a line often utilized by Republicans. The GOP has solid themselves as pro-freedom, pointing to their insurance policies on points just like the financial system and weapons.

However Democrats are in search of to neutralize that assault by highlighting Republicans’ insurance policies on issues like reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights.

“Whereas [former President Donald Trump] cloaks himself within the blanket of freedom, what he is providing is not freedom in any respect,” he mentioned. “It isn’t freedom to inform our kids what books they’re allowed to learn. It isn’t freedom to inform ladies what they will do with their our bodies. And listen to me on this. It certain as hell is not freedom to say you may go vote however he will get to choose the winner. That is not freedom.”

He mentioned Democrats ought to set up based mostly on three American ideas—valuing freedom, cherishing democracy, and loving the nation.

“Regardless of our challenges, hear me on this. I’ve by no means been extra hopeful as a result of I see in all of you the enduring promise of America,” he mentioned. “You all give me hope and also you all have the facility, so let’s use that energy. Let’s do the onerous work essential to win this election and write the following chapter in our American story.”

Shapiro’s help for Harris could possibly be key in Pennsylvania, a vital battleground state roughly evenly divided between Democratic and Republican voters. It was one of many closest states in each the 2016 and 2020 elections and is considered as a must-win for Harris’ possibilities of profitable the Electoral Faculty.

His fiery speech got here after he was considered as a contender to turn into Harris’ operating mate.

Shapiro’s supporters considered him as a powerful choice as a consequence of his electoral historical past in Pennsylvania. In 2022, he received the gubernatorial race by 15 factors. They argued his presence on the presidential ticket may assist ship the state to Democrats as polls present a decent race.

He was additionally considered as a extra reasonable candidate who may win over centrist Republicans who oppose Trump however might view Harris as extra liberal than their very best candidate.

Nevertheless, he confronted some backlash from progressive Democrats over his previous remarks about Palestinians and pro-Palestinian protesters. Though he has said help for a two-state answer, his remarks seemingly evaluating protesters on faculty campuses to the Ku Klux Klan reemerged, sparking criticism from the left.

In the end, Harris didn’t say why she in the end picked Walz over Shapiro or different contenders.

Nevertheless, the DNC supplied Shapiro with a platform to construct his nationwide profile. He has been named as a future potential presidential candidate for both the 2028 or 2032 races.

Different politicians, maybe most notably former President Barack Obama in 2004, have used conference speeches previously to boost their nationwide profile forward of a presidential run.

Latest polls counsel Pennsylvania is a toss-up between Harris and Trump.

An Insider Benefit ballot, carried out from August 18 to August 19 amongst 800 probably voters, discovered Trump with a single-point lead over Harris (47 p.c to 46 p.c). Nevertheless, a Redfield & Wilton Methods ballot, carried out amongst 825 probably voters from August 12 to August 15, discovered Harris main by 2 factors (46 p.c to 44 p.c).

Pennsylvania has 19 Electoral Faculty votes, making it the biggest swing state within the 2024 election. If Harris loses Pennsylvania, she would probably want to comb each different toss-up state to win.