In a high-energy rally held in Georgia, Vice President Kamala Harris shared the stage with former President Barack Obama for the first time in the 2024 campaign, underscoring the stakes in one of the most pivotal battleground states. The event, held in the suburbs of Atlanta, drew a crowd of around 20,000 supporters, highlighting the Democrats’ focus on securing the state that proved critical in the 2020 election.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen opened the rally, followed by powerful addresses from filmmaker Tyler Perry and actor Samuel L. Jackson. When Obama finally introduced Harris, the two exchanged a warm hug before Harris addressed the enthusiastic crowd. Despite the star-studded lineup, some attendees were seen leaving early after hours of waiting, a detail overshadowed by the powerful show of unity between Obama and Harris. Their joint appearance emphasized the importance of Georgia in the race, with early voting already underway and nearly two million ballots cast.
Obama and Kamala Harris Rally Support as Trump Campaigns in Arizona
While Kamala Harris and Obama energized Georgia, former President Donald Trump was rallying supporters in Arizona, intensifying the clash of agendas between the Democratic and Republican candidates. Trump sharply criticized Harris’ recent CNN town hall, dismissing her performance as “pathetic” and pointing to her immigration policies as a weakness, labeling the U.S. “the garbage can of the world” under her influence.
Trump’s Arizona event underscores his determination to reclaim states he won in 2016 but lost to Joe Biden in 2020, such as Georgia and Arizona. Trump also joined Sen. J.D. Vance remotely at an Ohio rally, continuing his sharp critique of Harris. When Trump joked about Harris’ “brilliance,” Vance was taken aback, illustrating the pointed humor and aggression Trump has injected into his campaign narrative. As the campaign clock ticks down with only 12 days left, both sides are intensifying their outreach in key swing states, aiming to lock in votes.
Polls Show Tight Race Between Kamala Harris and Trump in New Hampshire
A new poll from Emerson College indicates a tight race in New Hampshire, where Kamala Harris leads Trump by a narrow three-point margin. Harris, at 50 percent, holds a slim edge over Trump’s 47 percent, with only two percent of voters indicating they would prefer a third-party candidate. This slim margin raises concerns within the Harris campaign, as New Hampshire has traditionally been a competitive state and could serve as a bellwether for broader voter sentiment.
Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted that while Harris holds similar support among women to Biden in 2020, male voters have shifted slightly toward Trump. Additionally, Harris is underperforming Biden’s 2020 numbers among independent voters, who favor her by 13 points compared to Biden’s much stronger showing with this group. The findings highlight the unique challenges Harris faces in solidifying her lead, as Trump’s appeal among independents and male voters appears to be a growing factor.
Obama Takes Jabs at Trump’s “Wannabe King” Persona
During his speech in Georgia, Obama took aim at Trump’s controversial image and alleged self-serving intentions, labeling him a “wannabe king” seeking to expand his personal power at the expense of democracy. Obama recalled Trump’s recent marketing ventures, humorously referencing his sales of Bibles and gold sneakers. However, Obama’s tone turned serious when he emphasized concerns raised by former Trump associates, including ex-Chief of Staff John Kelly and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley, who questioned Trump’s loyalty to democratic principles.
Obama warned that another Trump term could result in a leader focused on “punishing his enemies” rather than governing for the American people. Turning the focus back to Harris, Obama argued she would provide stable and people-centered leadership. His pointed remarks energized the Georgia crowd, drawing attention to the stark contrasts between Harris and Trump as they vie for the support of voters in the final days of the campaign.
