Is There Really a Polish American Vote?

America’s dueling presidential campaigns are desperately appealing to the small pool of persuadable voters, particularly in the critical Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. No political entreaty in these places should be surprising, but recent appeals to Polish Americans in the region have raised some eyebrows.

Vice President Kamala Harris unexpectedly mentioned the group during this month’s presidential debate. ‘Why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish Americans right here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give up [military activity in Ukraine] for the sake of favor and what you think is a friendship with what is known to be a dictator who would eat you for lunch?’ the Vice President taunted.

The comment can probably be attributed to her rhetorical limitations and her milieu’s obsession with Ukraine-related topics. Nonetheless, her campaign followed the comment with a Facebook ad directly aimed at Polish Americans, confirming at least some campaign strategists see demographic potential.