Vice presidential and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz wrapped up a two-day campaign rally on Thursday in the crucial US state of Georgia, where she gave her first one-on-one interview to national media.
Harris attacks Trump in Georgia
In her 25-minute speech at the rally in Savannah, Harris lashed out at former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump for his comments that he would become a dictator “for one day” if elected to a second term, and condemned his remarks that the election would be organised so that Republicans would never lose again. She also attacked Trump’s policies and emphasised her stance on hot-button topics such as abortion and gun control. Harris told the crowd:
“So Savannah, are you ready to make your voices heard?” “Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in opportunity? Do we believe in the promise of America? And are we ready to fight for it? And when we fight? (Crowd responds: “We will win”). God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”
After the campaign rally, Harris and Waltz gave their first joint television interview on CNN. Harris said her “values” have not changed despite some twists and turns in key policy positions on immigration and mining. She turned the conversation to what she would bring to the American people if elected president. she said:
“First and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class. When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward, in a way that generations of Americans have been fueled by, by hope and by optimism.”
Georgia was once considered a red-vote-dominated state like Texas and Florida, but is now considered a so-called “purple state” – a mix of red Republicans and blue Democrats – especially after President Joe Biden defeated Trump in the state in the 2020 election by nearly 12,000 votes.
The latest polls show Harris and Trump trailing nearly evenly in Georgia, making the Peach State a crucial battleground when Americans go to the polls on November 5.
Trump crushes on Harris in Michigan
Meanwhile, Harris’ opponent Donald Trump said on Thursday in Michigan that the 2024 presidential election is “a choice between communism and freedom.”
Trump claimed Harris is a “Marxist” and accused her of “radicalism” for promising “communist-style” price controls and free, taxpayer-funded health care. He said:
“This election is not a choice between Democrats and Republicans. It’s a choice between communism and freedom. That’s what it’s about.”
He said he came to Michigan with “a simple message for American automakers and American workers: your long economic nightmare will end very soon … Turn it around by casting your vote. We will defeat Comrade Kamala Harris, and we will bring back the American dream – bigger, better, stronger and just better.”
He also accused President Joe Biden and Harris of causing “the worst inflation in American history.” Trump said:
“Workers like you and communities like this should be able to afford a nice house, a new car and a growing family on a single income, all while enjoying the highest standard of living on earth. My vision is for a middle class that is, once again, the envy of the entire world.”
Noting Harris’ pledge to fight for “strong border security,” Trump said:
“Now she is saying “we want to build a strong border.” Where has she been for three and a half years, as we took in 20 million people, many of them horrible criminals?”
He promised voters:
“We’re going to make America the production capital, manufacturing capital of the world, and it’s going to happen very fast.”
The issue of migration in the US has become a major theme in Donald Trump’s campaign. He accused Biden of not being strict enough in his policy towards immigrants and promises to resort to the most massive wave of deportations of illegal immigrants from the US
The problem of illegal immigration is considered by most Americans to be the most important issue in the country. According to a recent Gallup poll, about one-third of those surveyed are concerned about the influx of illegals (27%).
