On Thursday, former President Barack Obama took to the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, rallying support for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz from Minnesota. This marked Obama’s first major appearance on behalf of Harris after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 election and his endorsement of her back in July.
Obama expressed confidence in Harris’s abilities, emphasizing that she would “make an excellent president” and committing that he and Michelle Obama would do everything possible to ensure her victory in November.
The rally, held in Pittsburgh—a critical Democratic stronghold in Pennsylvania—comes as recent polls indicate a tight race between Harris and former President Donald Trump. A new Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday shows Harris leading by three points among likely voters, though the margin of error is 2.6 percent.
“Obama’s presence at this stage is vital,” noted political analyst Agranoff. “His connection with younger voters, many of whom see him as a beacon of hope, could rekindle enthusiasm among demographics that typically have lower voter turnout.” He insisted that while every vote counts—especially in battleground states—it’s the candidates who will ultimately drive the electoral outcome, not Obama.
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During his speech, Obama emphasized the key differences between Harris and Trump, aiming to engage swing voters in a state that he previously won twice. Here are some highlights from his address:
The Need for Competent Leadership
Obama began by acknowledging first responders and FEMA workers for their dedication during recent hurricanes, using the moment to underscore the importance of having “honest and competent leaders” in government. He urged voters to support various Democratic candidates, including auditor general Malcolm Kenyatta and attorney general Eugene DePasquale.
Criticism of Trump’s Leadership
Taking aim at Trump, Obama rebuked the former president for misleading claims regarding the Biden administration’s hurricane response. “We had one of the deadliest hurricanes in history, and while President Biden and Vice President Harris worked with local officials, Trump only spread lies to score political points,” he remarked, questioning the morality of deceiving vulnerable people during crises.
Trump’s Economic Record
Obama also critiqued Trump’s economic performance, asserting that he inherited a healthy economy from the previous administration. “I handed Trump an economy that had 75 straight months of job growth. His so-called achievements were mostly tax cuts for the wealthy,” Obama argued.
Furthermore, he dismissed Trump’s narrative about federal abortion rights protections, questioning Trump’s belief that women want to face immense obstacles in accessing healthcare.
Harris’s Policy Vision
In a nod to the Harris/Walz agenda, Obama praised their proposals, highlighting a $6,000 child tax credit and a $50,000 tax credit for small business startups. He contrasted this with Trump’s vague claims of having “concepts of a plan.” “With Kamala, you’ve got real plans that can actually improve your life,” Obama asserted.
This story is evolving and will be updated as new information becomes available.
