Three Democratic Governors in the crucial US ‘blue wall’ states made final appeals for Kamala Harris on Sunday, as she celebrated her 60th birthday and attended church services. Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Wisconsin’s Tony Evers, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan used their appearances on Sunday political programmes to emphasise the merits of the vice-president’s policies, and to underscore the differences with Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. With just 16 days to go until the election, polls indicate that it’s still a neck-and-neck race.
Members of Trump’s team scrambled to justify the ex-president’s undiplomatic and crude language at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday night, where he resorted to name-calling Harris and made lewd comments about late golfer Arnold Palmer.
Expressing his distaste, Shapiro stated on NBC’s Meet the Press, “I have no desire to return to the Trump-led era”. He added, “Do you recall the track record? Some might be having a brain-fog, can’t recollect what it was like when Trump was at the helm. There was more turmoil, job numbers dropped, and freedom was restricted greatly. I don’t think we want to revisit a time of pandemonium. We need a composed, robust leader, and that’s Kamala Harris.”
Shapiro, along with his colleagues Evers and Whitmer, took a joint interview on ABC’s This Week during a ‘blue wall’ bus tour over the weekend. They discussed how the presidential race was neck and neck in their respective states. Shapiro remained optimistic, saying, “Both candidates acknowledge the importance of Pennsylvania- I just believe we have a superior candidate, a superior message, and we’re experiencing a great surge of enthusiasm.”
According to Whitmer, Michigan voters were analysing both candidates’ track records ahead of the election on 5th November.
Although this appears to be a tight race, she expressed her faith in their chances, stating, “There is more satisfaction in playing our strategy than theirs.” She asserted, “We’ve chosen a superior contender. We possess significant successes on major issues relevant to America’s citizenry, including the economy, personal freedoms, affordable accommodation, not to mention a stronger grassroots movement.”
Evers, a governor serving his second term, responded to Trump’s allegations that a Harris administration would devastate America’s economy, citing the progressive methods put into action in Wisconsin. He affirmed, “We’re blessed with the finest economic state we’ve ever been in, the largest budget and prosperity, with individuals earning higher salaries than ever before. We’re in a favourable condition, and it has nothing to do with Donald Trump.”
Expressing their views during the same time Harris was inspiring African American voters in another swing state, Georgia with “souls to the polls” visits to two local churches. Addressing the congregation at New Birth Missionary Baptist church in Atlanta, she asked, “What nature of nation do we aspire to inhabit – one plagued with chaos, terror and prejudice, or one that values liberty, compassion and fairness?” “A key advantage of residing in a democratic society is that the power to determine this lies with us, the populace. Therefore, let our actions and vote align with our words.”
Harris has been striving to rally support within the African American community, specifically amongst black males. Despite polls hinting at a noticeable lack of enthusiasm for her campaign, recent surveys from the Howard Initiative on Public Opinion suggested Harris had garnered an edge among African American voters in swing states.
Joining her at a rally held at the Divine Faith Ministries International, in Jonesboro, was singer Stevie Wonder. The meet was scheduled prior to her interview with the civil rights leader Al Sharpton, later set to air on MSNBC the same day.
On CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, Georgia US senator Raphael Warnock, a black democrat said, “We just need to maintain our efforts.” He enthusiastically added, “And the promising detail is that this is precisely what Kamala Harris is already doing.”
Trump held an afternoon meeting, continuing his visit to Pennsylvania, with a rally in Lancaster, followed by a staged photo opportunity at a McDonald’s outlet. This took place a day after his peculiar presentation in Latrobe, Arnold Palmer’s birthplace, where he engaged in an uncanny discussion revolving around the golfer’s large genitalia.
On Sunday, Republican participants attempts to shift the focus away from Trump’s earlier comments and unusual behaviours observed of late, including a suggestion in a recent interview that he could utilise the US military against political rivals. When asked to comment on it during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina lost his cool. He attempted to change the subject by discussing two recently thwarted assassination attempts on Trump, both orchestrated by Republican supporters.
Graham, with the conference in mind, continued, “Think about the rhetoric, two assassination attempts have been made on him. Bullets have grazed his ear, and we barely avoided a situation where he’d be shot in the head. Another assailant likewise tried to end his life, so I’m not particularly enthused by the debate on rhetoric.”
In addition, Graham censured Republican associates, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, former congress members, and many previous officials from the Trump administration who previously criticised him and conveyed backing for Harris.
Retired general Mark Milley, the ex-chair of the joint chiefs of staff, described Trump as a “fundamental fascist,” per veteran reporter Bob Woodward’s latest book, “War.”
Addressing Republicans voting for Harris, Graham enquired, “What on earth are you doing?” He added, “By backing the most extreme nominee in the whole history of American politics, you’re aiding and abetting an additional four-year term of trash policy.”
Republican Mike Johnson, a home speaker from Louisiana, was less vocal but no less decisive in avoiding questions regarding Trump’s remarks during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union. He insinuated that it was the host, Jake Tapper, who was determined on discussing Palmer’s anatomy.
“The media can dissect it, but people are going to vote for what is best for their family, as they see it in Trump,” He commented.
With multiple states now facilitating in-person voting ahead of time, Georgia witnessed a record voter turnout on the first day. Surveys suggest a close competition between the candidates. According to Shapiro, swaying remaining indecisive voters holds the key to victory.
In essence, it is quite clear that not everyone keeps track of the unfolding events daily, nor do they keep an eye on the polls. Their life’s obligations such as occupations and childrearing, quite understandably take precedence. They rise each day to fulfill these responsibilities, he pointed out. He acknowledged that although there’s systematic understanding behind polls which focus only on a small group of individuals, he equally knows from regular encounters with people who haven’t yet formed any particular opinion. Hence, they are seeking assistance, he shared with The Guardian.