- By Winnifred Momoh, Samuel Timothy
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has launched an assertive campaign against Donald Trump, framing the upcoming November election as a decision between her prosecutorial background and a candidate she describes as a convicted felon. Speaking before an enthusiastic crowd of roughly 3,000 in Wisconsin, a key battleground state, Harris drew parallels between Trump and fraudsters she had prosecuted in her tenure as California’s attorney general.
In response, Trump criticized Harris’s border policies, posting on social media: “Lyin’ Kamala Harris destroys everything she touches!” This comes shortly after Harris secured the majority of Democratic delegates, positioning her to be the party’s nominee. President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, endorsing Harris amidst mounting pressure from party leaders and donors following a poor debate performance against Trump in June.
The Harris campaign experienced a surge in fundraising, collecting over $100 million within 36 hours of Biden’s exit. Adding to her momentum, a Reuters and Ipsos poll shows Harris leading Trump by two points, 44% to 42%.
During her rally at a Milwaukee suburb high school, Harris emphasized her prosecutorial experience, stating, “I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their gain.” She assured the audience, “I know Donald Trump’s type. I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week.” The crowd responded with chants of “Kamala! Kamala!” and “Lock him up” when Trump’s name was mentioned.
Trump, via his social media platform Truth Social, labeled Harris as the most unpopular vice president in US history and highlighted her left-wing stance during her Senate tenure, as rated by GovTrack. Harris, in her speech, outlined her liberal priorities, including gun control, abortion access, child poverty, union rights, and affordable healthcare. She posed a stark choice to the electorate: “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?”
However, Trump campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio predicted Harris’s “honeymoon” period with voters would end, anticipating renewed scrutiny on her role as Biden’s vice president. The Trump campaign is focusing on her handling of immigration at the US-Mexico border and the administration’s record on crime and inflation.
A recent email from Trump’s team accused Harris of bailing out violent offenders, insulting Israel, and misleading the public about Biden’s cognitive health. Trump expressed his willingness to debate Harris, calling her “a radical left person” and suggesting she would be an easier opponent than Biden.
Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have endorsed Harris. Hollywood figures like George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, and Jamie Lee Curtis have also shown support, potentially boosting campaign donations.
Harris’s campaign is currently vetting potential running mates, with speculation that she might choose a white man from a swing state to balance the ticket. President Biden is scheduled to address the nation from the Oval Office to explain his decision to withdraw. Meanwhile, Republican Representative Andy Ogles has introduced articles of impeachment against Harris over her immigration policies, though the resolution is unlikely to proceed.
