Former President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail with a get-out-the-vote rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. Obama used his speech as a plea to black voters and working-class voters alike that time is running out for democrats to prevent a second Donald Trump presidency. The rally, held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House, marked the first of what democrats plan to be several rallies throughout the battleground state, according to CBS News. Harris is currently trailing Trump in key midwestern states and is virtually tied with the former president in Pennsylvania.
The Pittsburgh rally was one of the largest gatherings of high-profile democrats on the campaign trail to date, bringing together Obama, Harris, Walz, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pittsburgh’s Mayor Ed Gainey. They were joined by Sen. Bob Casey, who is in the middle of his own reelection bid.
Voters I spoke to in Pittsburgh are sharply divided. Many firmly set on who they'll vote for, but some said they didn't plan to vote at all
Obama is rallying tonight in Pittsburgh to try and persuade those people to vote, with early voting underway @ABChttps://t.co/A5hOHcAUZF pic.twitter.com/D2sajACUSS— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) October 10, 2024
“Together, we have a chance to choose a new generation of leadership in this country and start building a better and stronger and more hopeful America,” Obama said. Though he endorsed Harris quickly after she replaced President Biden, it was the first time Obama was in support of democrats. Obama referenced Donald Trump many times throughout his speech, attempting to compare the character of the two presidential candidates, which at points led to boos from the left-wing crowd. Obama also called out black male voters, criticizing them for not being as fervent in their support of Harris as black females.
Obama focused on her credentials. “Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “With Kamala, you’ve got actual plans.”. Obama also criticized his successor for his recent statements about Hurricane Milton, but did not address a recent video clip that appeared to show a reportedly distracted Harris in a live interview.
This is not expected to be the last campaign appearance Obama makes in support of Vice President Harris, as he reportedly plans to make appearances in several other major battleground states.
