Reinforcing the Stakes of the Election
Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a decisive message to voters on Tuesday. Her speech will highlight the turmoil caused when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The address will take place at the Ellipse, the same site where Trump spoke before the January 6 insurrection.
Harris will frame the election as a choice between two paths. One path prioritizes public service, while the other centers on grievance and retribution. She will emphasize her pledge to put the country’s interests above partisan politics. Harris will contrast this vision with Trump’s alleged focus on compiling an “enemies list” of his critics.
With one week left before Election Day, Harris and Trump are neck and neck in key swing states. Since leading the Democratic ticket, Harris has reintroduced herself to voters. Her upcoming speech will spotlight her key policy proposals and vision for the future.
Harris has repeatedly criticized Trump’s stance on reproductive rights. At a Houston rally with pop star Beyoncé, Harris highlighted this issue before a crowd of 30,000 people. She has also been campaigning in battleground states like Michigan, where she recently visited Ann Arbor.
Harris Sharpens Criticism of Trump
Harris has not shied away from calling Trump a “fascist,” a term she’s used more frequently in recent weeks. This rhetoric gained traction after former White House chief of staff John Kelly publicly described Trump as fitting that label. During a CNN town hall, Harris reiterated her belief, doubling down on her critique.
While some of Harris’s surrogates avoid labeling Trump directly, they focus on other campaign issues. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently highlighted threats to abortion rights and the economy. Speaking at a canvassing event in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Pritzker underscored the urgency of these issues. “Everything we care about is under threat from a racist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic former president who wants to return to the White House,” Pritzker declared.
Concerns about democracy have also taken center stage. Colleen Schulz, vice chair of the Waukesha County Democratic Party, stressed that safeguarding democracy is a top priority. “First, we must safeguard our democracy and the Constitution; then we can address other issues,” Schulz stated at a Wisconsin campaign event.
Despite economic worries, many voters are focused on the state of U.S. democracy. A Gallup poll found that 49% of voters see democracy as “extremely” important to their voting decision. Another 36% consider it “very” important.
At a Houston event, Angela Mercadel, a supporter who waited hours to see Harris, voiced her concerns. “We need a leader who will unite this country,” she said, calling attention to Trump’s divisive rhetoric about political opponents.