Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are actively traversing the campaign landscape, making their appeal to voters ranging from Georgia to Pennsylvania. The excitement is palpable as early voting has begun, drawing engaged citizens to the polls ahead of the crucial November 5 presidential election.
In key battleground states, Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump find themselves in a neck-and-neck race, with many voters opting to cast their ballots ahead of time, either through mail or in-person voting. With only 17 days left until Election Day, every moment matters.
During a spirited rally in Detroit, Michigan, where early voting kicked off, Ms. Harris energized her supporters, inviting popular Detroit native and rapper Lizzo to join her. Lizzo emphasized the importance of casting votes in a state where mere fractions often dictate electoral outcomes. “This is the swing state of all swing states, so every single last vote here counts,” Lizzo affirmed, urging participation.
Ms. Harris passionately called on her backers to dedicate themselves fully in the days leading up to the election.
“On Election Day, we don’t want to have any regrets about what we could have done these next 17 days,” she stated before about 300 supporters eager to march together to an early-voting center. Alongside setting records for early voting in Georgia and North Carolina, she urged Detroit to catch up.
Her next destination? A rally in Atlanta, Georgia, with music superstar Usher, who is currently thrilling fans during a short concert series in the bustling southern city. This week marks the start of early voting festivities in Georgia, amplifying the campaign’s urgency.
Pointing fingers at her rival, Ms. Harris asserted, “Donald Trump has shown himself to be increasingly unstable and unfit, working to take us backward,” during her media interactions in Detroit.
Early voting isn’t just a talking point; it’s already taking off in multiple states. To replicate President Joe Biden’s success in 2020, Ms. Harris knows that securing significant turnout in predominately non-white areas like Detroit and Atlanta, along with their surrounding neighborhoods, is crucial.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump is set to hold a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, looking to capitalize on what he perceives as a positive turn in his standing according to recent polls. In this tight race, Pennsylvania stands out as the most prized catch among the battleground states, a real tipping point for the 2024 election.
In Nevada, early voting is gearing up, promising excitement as former President Barack Obama plans to host a campaign event for Ms. Harris in Las Vegas. Both presidential hopefuls spent time recently in Michigan, where they traded barbs over their fitness for the presidency.
“Are you sure about his stamina?” Ms. Harris questioned, as she and Mr. Trump campaigned hard in the state. Mr. Trump quickly retaliated, citing the energy he displayed on the campaign circuit. On the cusp of turning 60, Ms. Harris contrasted her age with Mr. Trump, who is 78. This subject was contentious when Mr. Biden, at 81, was running but lost steam after he withdrew from the race.
“It raises questions,” Ms. Harris declared, referencing rumors about Mr. Trump skipping interviews due to fatigue and his refusal to engage in a second debate with her. “If he cannot endure the challenges of the campaign trail, is he truly fit for this job?” she asked reporters before a rally in Grand Rapids. “That’s a legitimate concern.” Despite skipping some campaign moments, Mr. Trump’s team has not explained his absences.
As he entered Detroit, Mr. Trump brushed off the concerns. “I’ve gone 48 days now without a rest,” he stated confidently, asserting, “I’m not tired at all. In fact, I’m invigorated. Why? Because we are outpacing her in the polls—plain and simple.” His candid remarks did not shy away from criticizing the Democratic opposition.
In a lively Fox & Friends interview, he took aim at the negative ads broadcast about him, vowing to reach out to media mogul Rupert Murdoch to request that such commercials halt until the election concludes. “I’m going to say, ‘Hey, Rupert, do it this way and we’ll secure a victory,’” he said with a sly grin.
During a stop at a campaign office in Hamtramck, he received words of admiration from the city’s first Muslim mayor, Amer Ghalib, showcasing his outreach to Arab Americans disillusioned with Democrat policies regarding US support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict. “Peace in the Middle East is our common goal—it’s going to happen swiftly with the right leadership in Washington,” he proclaimed, though specifics were notably absent.
Later in the day, Mr. Trump returned to Detroit, the largest city in Michigan, for a rally. He quipped about the potential fate of the rest of the country under a Harris presidency, claiming it would mirror Detroit’s current state. In the midst of his speech, a microphone malfunction led him to improvise for about 20 minutes amidst laughter from the crowd. “I won’t pay this ridiculous company for such a poor device,” he quipped once audio troubles were resolved, calling it the worst mic he had ever used.
This oversight occurred just days after he lightheartedly entertained the crowd during a town hall in Pennsylvania when some attendees fell ill. In contrast, Ms. Harris, after engaging voters in Grand Rapids, continued her journey eastward through Lansing and onto Oakland County—a vital voter-rich area northwest of Detroit.
Michigan boasts around 8.4 million registered voters, and scooping up the state’s 15 Electoral College votes could tip the scales dramatically come election night. Both candidates are vying fiercely for key demographics including Arab Americans, seniors, union members, and working-class citizens.
Add to the mix former first lady Michelle Obama’s anticipated involvement in the campaign to bolster Ms. Harris’ efforts in Michigan on October 26. “I completely understand why people are eager for change,” Mr. Obama remarked at an Arizona rally whilst supporting Ms. Harris. “Yet, I struggle to comprehend anyone thinking Donald Trump will offer the kind of upheaval that benefits you.”
Polls indicate that nationally, Ms. Harris has seen her lead diminish from a seven-point advantage over Mr. Trump in late September to a mere three-point margin as of now. With rising food and rent prices leaving many Americans anxious, Trump has ramped up alarming rhetoric surrounding migration across the US-Mexico border.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
