Ex President Barack Obama Kicked a campaign in Pennsylvania on ThursdayWith his final appeal to voters less than a month away from Election Day, the vice president is aiming to rally support for Harris in battleground states.
Obama’s stop in Pittsburgh marks his debut as a battleground-state candidate in the 2024 presidential race. He is expected to visit other states before Election Day.
Minutes after taking the stage, Obama focused on condemning former President Donald Trump, characterizing him as a whiny and selfish billionaire who only cares about “his ego and his money and his status.”
“This election is going to be tight because a lot of Americans are still out there fighting,” Obama said. “I don’t understand why anyone thinks Donald Trump is going to shake things up in your favor.”
“If Donald Trump isn’t worried that a mob might attack his own vice president, do you think he’s worried about you,” he said.
Obama also noted that GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance had the audacity to say “Donald Trump saved the Affordable Care Act” in the vice presidential debate.
“Donald Trump spent his entire presidency trying to tear it down,” Obama said, “and he couldn’t even do that.” Eight years later, Obama mocked Trump for saying he “got an ‘A.’ Concept of a projectAbout how to change that.”
He and former First Lady Michelle Obama supported Harris In July, he pledged to do everything in his power to win the White House. Both have been popular since leaving the former presidency in 2017, and both addressed the Democratic Convention in August.
“Kamala Harris doesn’t focus on her problems, she focuses on yours” Obama said In a speech at the conference. “As president, she won’t just pander to her own supporters and punish those who refuse to kiss the ring or bend the knee. She will work on behalf of every American. That’s Kamala.”
At Thursday’s rally, Obama referred to the hurricanes and said, “Times like this are very important when you see honest, effective leadership in government.”
“We don’t need four more years of arrogance, bluster, turmoil and division. America is ready to turn,” Obama said. And the good news is that Kamala Harris is ready to do the job.
Obama has been a key figure in the Democratic Party since leaving office in 2017. He was quiet amidst the calls His vice president, President Biden, withdrew from the race, although Mr. Obama personally supported Mr. There are reports that Biden has expressed concerns about the candidacy. Mr. Biden eventually dropped out In the race in July, he supported Harris.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Obama and Harris have had a long-standing relationship since they ran for the Senate 20 years ago. Harris later supported Obama’s history-making run for the White House, knocking on the door in Iowa.
As Obama rallies support for Harris in Pennsylvania, the vice president is in another key battleground state, Nevada, participating in a town hall event hosted by Televisa Univision before returning to Pennsylvania on Monday.
Harris is expected to hold a campaign rally in Erie, marking his first visit to Bellwether County since launching his presidential campaign.
But he has traveled to Pennsylvania a dozen times since announcing his bid, including seven in 2024. His alternates, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walls, and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walls are also campaigning in the state.
Caitlin Yilek contributed to this report.
