In her first campaign rally since being named the Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris aggressively targeted Donald Trump on Tuesday. Replacing President Joe Biden on the ticket, Harris took a marginal lead over Trump according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, marking a pivotal shift in the 2024 presidential race.
Speaking to a cheering crowd at West Allis Central High School in Wisconsin, Harris, a former prosecutor, compared her background to Trump’s record as a convicted felon. Highlighting her commitment to liberal priorities, she promised to expand abortion access, support workers’ rights to join unions, and address gun violence. Her rhetoric drew a sharp contrast with Trump, the Republican nominee for the November 5 election. “Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” she declared. “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?”
The energetic rally contrasted sharply with Biden’s previous, more subdued events, highlighting Democrats’ hopes that Harris, 59, can rejuvenate the campaign. The enthusiastic audience danced and waved Harris signs, chanting “Ka-ma-la!” as she took the stage. Harris emphasized her commitment to reproductive rights, a critical issue since the Supreme Court, with three Trump-appointed justices, eliminated the nationwide right to abortion in 2022.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted after Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of Harris, showed Harris leading Trump 44% to 42% among registered voters. This marked a shift from the previous week’s poll, where Biden trailed Trump by two points. Both results were within the poll’s three-point margin of error, but the current poll indicated a slight movement in favor of the Democrats. Harris’ elevation to the top of the ticket may have blunted Trump’s momentum from the Republican National Convention held last week in Milwaukee.
Trump and his allies have attempted to associate Harris with Biden’s less popular policies, particularly the administration’s handling of the surge of migrants at the southern border. On a conference call with reporters, Trump expressed confidence in defeating Harris, noting her previous presidential run in 2020 ended before the first statewide nominating contest. He offered to debate her multiple times, emphasizing their policy similarities. “I want to debate her, and she’ll be no different because they have the same policies,” Trump said.
Harris quickly consolidated support within her party after Biden, 81, ended his reelection campaign under pressure from party members concerned about his ability to beat Trump, 78, and serve another term. By winning pledges from a majority of delegates for next month’s party convention, she secured the nomination. Her campaign reported raising $100 million since Sunday. Democratic leaders, including Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, endorsed Harris at a joint press conference.
Harris’ candidacy reshapes the election landscape, particularly energizing young voters and women eager to see her break the ultimate U.S. glass ceiling. Alyssa Wahlberg, 19, chair of the Whitewater College Democrats, expressed excitement about Harris’ potential to become the first woman president, a sentiment echoed by many attendees at the rally.
Biden, addressing the nation on Wednesday night from the Oval Office, will explain his decision to end his campaign. Returning to Washington after isolating at home with COVID-19, Biden tested negative and no longer has symptoms. His exit followed Trump’s narrow survival of a July 13 assassination attempt, which raised questions about Secret Service security.
Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison emphasized the urgency of getting Harris on ballots in all 50 states and selecting her vice presidential pick by August 7. Potential running mates include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Harris’ entry into the race marks a significant turning point, bringing renewed energy and focus to the Democratic campaign as the nation gears up for the 2024 election.
