The presidential campaign trail in Wisconsin saw an unusual twist as Kamala Harris, with rapper Cardi B by her side, hosted a rally just miles away from Donald Trump’s event in Milwaukee. Both candidates took to this key battleground state, rallying their bases with starkly different messages and strategies. For Harris, the endorsement of Cardi B served to energize younger voters and highlight social issues like abortion rights and economic concerns. Cardi B, speaking passionately, endorsed Harris’s stance on issues impacting everyday Americans. She stated, “I’m not taking any chances with my future…and [I’m] taking no chances with the future of my children,” a clear rebuke of Trump’s policies.
Meanwhile, Trump, addressing a crowd of his supporters, zeroed in on Harris’s role as Vice President. He urged voters to make a stand, saying, “We win this state, we win the whole thing. You have to stand up and tell Kamala you’ve had enough.” Wisconsin remains one of the pivotal swing states, and this showdown highlighted the urgency both campaigns feel as the election nears.
Swing States in the Spotlight: North Carolina and Wisconsin’s Pivotal Roles
With just days left before the election, swing states like North Carolina and Wisconsin are in the crosshairs of both campaigns. In North Carolina, which carries 16 electoral votes, both Trump and Harris have intensified their focus, recognizing that its population of 10.7 million could determine the election outcome. Trump narrowly won North Carolina in 2020 by 74,000 votes. For Harris and the Democrats, a high turnout among Black voters is crucial, given the state’s significant African American population that nearly flipped the state in the last election.
Wisconsin, with its 10 electoral votes, also holds tremendous sway. Milwaukee became a flashpoint for both campaigns, with Harris focusing on economic issues and democratic values, while Trump’s rhetoric centered around immigration and law enforcement. Wisconsin’s mixed demographics, comprising urban, suburban, and rural voters, make it a fiercely contested battleground where small shifts in voter turnout could have outsized impacts on the election.
European Greens Call for Jill Stein’s Support for Harris
In a remarkable international appeal, a coalition of European Green Party leaders called for U.S. Green Party nominee Jill Stein to step down and endorse Kamala Harris. The plea, involving Green leaders from 16 countries, was driven by a collective stance against Trump’s policies. A joint statement declared, “We are clear that Kamala Harris is the only candidate who can block Donald Trump and his anti-democratic, authoritarian policies from the White House.”
Stein, known for her activism in climate change and social justice, has thus far remained steadfast, promising to champion climate issues and rights for marginalized communities. As a seasoned candidate who previously ran in 2012 and 2016, her continued campaign has attracted support among some voters dissatisfied with the current two-party system. However, the international Green leaders hope their call will tip the scales in Harris’s favor to prevent a Trump re-election.
Harris and Trump’s Economic Visions for America
Economic policies have become a centerpiece for both campaigns, with Harris and Trump laying out starkly different approaches to address the cost of living crisis gripping the nation. Harris has promised immediate action on lowering food and housing costs, proposing bans on price gouging, tax credits for families, and higher wages. She has also committed to raising taxes on big corporations and the wealthy to support working-class families, while small businesses would benefit from tax cuts.
In contrast, Trump has positioned himself as the champion of affordability, promising to “end inflation and make America affordable again.” His plan includes expanding oil drilling to lower energy costs, cutting taxes on tips, and removing social security taxes for seniors. However, his proposals have drawn criticism, particularly for their potential to increase the national deficit. Trump’s approach includes tariff hikes on imports, a move experts warn could inflate consumer prices, while Harris’s plans focus on reducing costs directly for American families.
