Approximately 25 million ballots have been submitted as Harris and Trump campaign in crucial swing states.

Kamala Harris, a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, is gearing up to make waves in Georgia today, where she’ll be part of a high-profile rally that includes iconic musician Bruce Springsteen, noted entertainer Tyler Perry, and former President Barack Obama.

This event marks yet another strategic move by the Harris camp to harness the star power of celebrities to energize voters as the election draws near, intensifying the race against her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Harris’s campaign took off like a rocket after President Joe Biden exited the contest in late July. Initially, her polling numbers surged, but recently, those numbers have tightened nationally, disappearing altogether in crucial battleground states that hold the key to the election. Celebrity endorsements often infuse a campaign with cultural relevance, enhancing fundraising efforts, driving attendee turnout at rallies, and sparking excitement across social media platforms.

As both the Harris and Trump campaigns gear up for a frantic push to engage voters ahead of the November 5 Election Day, this occasion will also be the first time Harris and Obama share the campaign trail. The Vice President is set to partner with Michelle Obama this Saturday in Michigan, one of the pivotal swing states crucial to determining the electoral outcome.

Georgia proved to be a surprise stronghold for Democrats in the 2020 election, leading to significant victories—two competitive Senate seats were won, granting the party control of both Congressional chambers during Biden’s initial term.

According to the state’s office, approximately 1.9 million Georgians have already exercised their right to vote. Bruce Springsteen will also join forces with Obama in Philadelphia on Monday, with the Harris campaign hinting at additional concerts featuring other artists to be unveiled shortly.

Back in 2016, Springsteen delivered a spirited three-song performance before a 20,000-strong crowd at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall during Hillary Clinton’s campaign, just a day before the election. Moreover, in 2008, he captivated tens of thousands with a seven-song set on Benjamin Franklin Parkway aimed at galvanizing voters for Barack Obama.

High-profile endorsements have flooded in for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, from a slew of celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Lizzo, George Clooney, Pink, and Oprah Winfrey. Trump has his own share of celebrity support, counting musicians like Ted Nugent and Kid Rock, wrestler Hulk Hogan, UFC head Dana White, actor Dennis Quaid, and influencer Amber Rose among his backers.

At a town hall in Pennsylvania, Harris made her vision clear: she intends for her presidency to diverge significantly from Biden’s. As Trump campaigned in Georgia, she stated, “My administration will not echo the Biden presidency. I come with my distinct ideas and experiences.” She emphasized that she embodies a newer generation of leadership poised to tackle policy issues differently.

In Chester Township, she engaged with audience members directly, addressing rising grocery prices, advocating for an end to the Middle East conflict, and labeling Trump a “fascist” who poses a “danger to the safety and welfare of America.” She also reflected on her shifting stance regarding fracking, asserting the importance of creating consensus around various issues instead of clinging to a rigid position.

Amidst the political race, Harris reiterated her stance on fracking, affirming that banning it wouldn’t be an action she’d pursue as president—a noticeable pivot from her earlier presidential campaign in 2019. When asked if she supports expanding the Supreme Court from nine justices to twelve, she responded, “I believe court reform is necessary, and we should look closely at what that entails.”

With nearly 25 million voters having already cast their ballots—whether early in-person or via mail, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab—early voting is gaining tremendous momentum. Several states, particularly Georgia and North Carolina, have already set records for early voter turnout.

Trump, at a recent religious-themed “ballots and believers” gathering in Zebulon, Georgia, expressed optimism about early voting. “We are seeing record numbers across every state,” he proclaimed, as he rallyed Christian evangelicals to put aside misgivings about his oftentimes controversial remarks.

With a campaign history dating back to 2015 based on vibrant rallies, Trump reflected, “It’s saddening to think my time as a candidate is nearing its end.” If victorious on November 5, this would signal his second and final term as president.

After his address in Zebulon, Trump made an appearance in Duluth, featuring collaboration with former Fox News star Tucker Carlson and former independent president candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Country musician Jason Aldean took the stage too, encouraging early voting—a practice Trump has gradually begun to embrace despite having previously criticized it.

Pennsylvania and Georgia remain key battlegrounds, with both candidates likely dedicating immense energy to campaigning there moving forward. Earlier in the day, Harris leveraged comments made by Trump’s former chief of staff John Kelly, who suggested Trump met the “general definition of fascist” while expressing admiration for authoritarian figures.

She described Trump’s comments, as cited by Kelly, as worrying and perilous. The Trump campaign has countered, dismissing Kelly’s assertions as “debunked stories.” Harris previously attempted to push Trump into agreeing to a second presidential debate, having been acknowledged by some as the winner of their first and only face-off in September.

Currently, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates Harris holds a thin lead over Trump, with figures at 46% to 43% nationally. Meanwhile, serious allegations have surfaced against Trump, with a former model claiming he groped her during a 1992 incident, introduced by the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Stacey Williams recounted her experience, asserting that Trump behaved inappropriately during their encounter. Trump’s team has categorically rejected her statements, labeling them as fabricated stories with no grounding. Williams shared a postcard featuring Trump’s signature comment to her agent, stating, “Stacey – Your home away from home. Love Donald.”

With over twenty women alleging sexual assault or misconduct against Trump, he stands firm in his denials, even as a New York court mandated him to pay $83.3 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for sexual assault and defamation.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring