WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver a powerful message to voters on Tuesday, reminding them of the chaos that ensued during Donald Trump’s presidency when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to challenge the election results. This speech will take place at the Ellipse, the same location where Trump spoke just before the January 6 insurrection.
In her closing argument, Harris will present voters with two distinct paths: one focused on serving the American people and the other rooted in grievances and retribution. She plans to reiterate her commitment to prioritizing the country over party politics, contrasting her vision with what she describes as Trump’s tendency to create an “enemies list” of those who oppose him.
With just a week until the election, the race for the White House is extremely close, with Harris and Trump statistically tied in many key swing states. Since rising to the top of the Democratic ticket over the summer, Harris has been reintroducing herself to voters and will highlight her policy proposals in her speech.
In recent weeks, Harris has also emphasized Trump’s stance on reproductive rights, a theme she reinforced during a rally in Houston with Beyoncé, which attracted around 30,000 attendees.
Harris has been actively campaigning in crucial battleground states, including a recent stop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has increasingly referred to Trump as a “fascist,” particularly after former White House chief of staff John Kelly characterized him as fitting that description. Harris affirmed this view during a CNN town hall.
While some of her surrogates have opted to avoid labeling Trump directly, focusing instead on issues like abortion rights and the economy, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker highlighted these points at a canvassing event in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he noted the importance of addressing broader societal issues.
“Everything we care about is under threat from a racist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic former president who wants to return to the White House,” he stated, emphasizing the need for voters to consider their motivations as they engage in the campaign.
Despite the focus on economic concerns, many voters are increasingly worried about the state of democracy in the U.S. Colleen Schulz, vice chair of the Waukesha County Democratic Party, expressed that protecting democracy and upholding the Constitution have become her top priorities.
“First, we must safeguard our democracy and the Constitution; then we can address other issues,” said Schulz, a former teacher who attended a campaign event in Wisconsin.
Although the economy remains a critical issue for many, a Gallup poll revealed that 49% of voters view democracy as “extremely” important, with an additional 36% considering it “very” important in determining their vote.
Angela Mercadel, who waited for hours to see Harris in Houston, voiced her concerns about Trump’s rhetoric regarding political opponents. “We need a leader who will unite this country,” she said.
