Bay Area's Role in Democratic National Convention and Campaign Ads
- Political ads criticizing Harris flood swing states, not visible in California.
- Residents in California, especially the Bay Area, are spared from the deluge of anti-Harris commercials.
- Divergence in ad visibility raises questions about campaign strategies and targeting demographics.
SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area has made a significant impact at the Democratic National Convention, but its influence extends beyond the event into the realm of campaign advertising. A new ad campaign targeting Vice President Kamala Harris focuses on her tenure as San Francisco District Attorney, particularly her record on crime. This campaign is gaining traction in key swing states, including Pennsylvania, where it is receiving considerable airtime. The ad features a victim, Amanda Kiefer, who recounts her harrowing experience of being robbed and nearly run over by her attacker, a man with a criminal history who was in the country illegally. The ad emphasizes Harris's support for sanctuary city policies, suggesting that such stances contribute to rising crime rates. Harris has responded to these claims by asserting that crime transcends party lines and should be addressed as a non-partisan issue. The ad not only highlights crime and immigration but also leverages the longstanding Republican critique of San Francisco as a city plagued by liberal policies, including issues related to drugs, homelessness, and taxes. Political analysts note that while perceptions of San Francisco have evolved among Democrats, Republicans continue to view the city as a vulnerability for Harris. Former President Donald Trump has also seized on this narrative, often making exaggerated claims about Harris's record. Notably, in the case mentioned in the ad, Harris advocated for the deportation of the attacker after his conviction, which was successfully carried out in 2011.