Kamala Harris returned to Michigan for a rally alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama, part of her final push to mobilize Democratic voters in the critical swing state. After arriving in Portage, Harris met with healthcare providers and medical students to discuss the ongoing impact of abortion restrictions across the U.S.
One doctor noted that patients travel from other states with strict abortion bans to access care, while another expressed concerns that such restrictions could discourage medical professionals from entering essential areas of healthcare due to fears of government interference.
Speaking to reporters, Harris emphasized the broader implications of abortion restrictions, calling it a “healthcare crisis” that affects people of all backgrounds and genders. The issue of abortion has become a central theme of her campaign, as Harris seeks to draw a contrast with Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, and highlight her commitment to protecting reproductive rights.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden addressed a union hall in Pittsburgh, emphasizing Harris’ support for organized labor and urging the audience to “follow your gut” and “do what’s right” in the election. Biden referenced Harris’ previous support for workers, including joining a picket line with the United Auto Workers, and criticized Trump for viewing unions as an obstacle to wealth accumulation for a select few.
Star-Studded Campaign Effort and Criticism from Trump
Harris has ramped up her celebrity endorsements in the final days of the campaign, recently appearing alongside Beyoncé in Houston and former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta. These high-profile figures aim to energize Democratic supporters, particularly among younger and diverse voters.
Michelle Obama’s appearance in Kalamazoo, Michigan, marked her first rally in support of Harris, a momentous event as early voting opened across Michigan, with over 1.4 million ballots already cast.
Despite the star-studded lineup, Trump dismissed Harris’ reliance on celebrity support. He mocked her Houston rally with Beyoncé, sarcastically saying, “Kamala is at a dance party with Beyoncé,” during his own campaign stop in Michigan.
Trump himself held a rally in Novi, a Detroit suburb, before moving on to Pennsylvania, as he seeks to consolidate support in these key battleground areas.
Michelle Obama’s presence at the rally is particularly significant, given her impactful slogan “When they go low, we go high,” from her 2016 campaign for Hillary Clinton. However, her tone has shifted in recent years. During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, she criticized Trump’s divisive rhetoric, accusing him of relying on “misogynistic, racist lies” instead of genuine ideas to improve Americans’ lives.
Biden’s Call to Action and Appeal to Women Voters
At his rally in Pittsburgh, Biden highlighted Harris’ dedication to labor rights, emphasizing her “backbone like a ramrod” and contrasting it with Trump’s anti-union stance. He argued that Trump’s focus on personal wealth undermines the interests of working-class Americans and urged union members to support Harris in the upcoming election.
Biden’s remarks also addressed the gender divide in this year’s election, particularly in his appeal to female voters. He asserted that women deserve the same opportunities as men, including holding the nation’s highest office.
“They can do anything any man can do, including be president of the United States,” he said, in a nod to Harris’ historic candidacy.
As the election nears, Harris and Biden’s campaign stops emphasize their commitment to healthcare, labor rights, and gender equality, drawing a sharp contrast with Trump’s policies. With early voting underway, Michigan remains a crucial battleground, and the Harris-Obama rally aims to galvanize Democratic support in the final stretch.
