Vice President Kamala Harris was welcomed by a roaring crowd of state voters on Tuesday as she launched her public case against former President Donald Trump, calling November’s “a choice between freedom and chaos.” This marked her first campaign rally since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed her just two days ago.
“In this campaign, I promise you, I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week,” Harris declared to the enthusiastic audience.”We believe in a future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead.”
Harris arrived in the Milwaukee area buoyed by fresh support from Democratic delegates and $100 million in donations since Sunday afternoon. Democratic officials and political groups, including congressional leaders Charles Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have thrown their weight behind Harris, bolstering her campaign’s momentum.
Her visit to Wisconsin underscored the importance of the “blue wall” states—Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—that are crucial for a Democratic victory. By choosing Milwaukee, Harris placed a strategic marker in a state recently energized by the Republican National Convention.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, who is up for reelection this year, spoke before Harris on Tuesday, having skipped Biden’s visit earlier this month. Baldwin’s presence signaled a unified front as Harris sharpened her message against the GOP nominee with just over 100 days until Election Day.
Harris leaned heavily on her background as a former district attorney and California attorney general to draw a stark contrast with Trump, the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes. “She’s prepared to meet this moment because she was professionally trained to prosecute a criminal, and unfortunately that’s who the Republicans have put forward,” said Senator Laphonza Butler of California.
Harris took to the stage with Beyoncé’s anthem “Freedom” blaring in the background and quickly set about differentiating herself from Trump. “I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type,” she stated emphatically.
Casting her campaign as a “people first” endeavor, Harris emphasized her opponent’s alignment with special interests and corporations. “We are not going back,” she declared. “And I’ll tell you why we are not going back. Ours is a fight for the future.” This echoed former President Barack Obama’s refrain during his 2012 reelection campaign.
Harris’ swift rise has necessitated the vetting of potential running mates, a process led by Eric Holder, Obama’s former attorney general. However, her primary impact has been energizing Democrats. Diane Walter, a 68-year-old from South Milwaukee, expressed her excitement: “I’ve been a Democrat my whole life. She’s energizing the party again.”
Tevin Humphrey, 21, who attended the rally with his mother, described Harris as “a great figure to look up to.” He added, “She’s a better representative of the diversity we’re looking for.”
Trump and his campaign have quickly shifted their focus to Harris, dubbing her “Lyin’ Kamala Harris” and accusing her of not being tough enough on crime as a prosecutor. Trump also sought to tie her to the administration’s border policies as he aims to make immigration a central campaign issue.
Signs indicate Trump may be uneasy about facing the younger vice president rather than contesting Biden. Twice since Biden withdrew, Trump has suggested moving the planned second presidential debate from ABC News to Fox News, perceived as more sympathetic to him.
Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, responded to Trump’s attacks with dismissive confidence, telling reporters, “That’s all he’s got?”
Joining Harris in Wisconsin were major elected officials, including Governor Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler. Their support highlighted the strategic significance of Harris’ visit.
Wisconsin Republican leaders, however, branded Harris as an “extreme liberal” out of step with most swing state voters. “Kamala Harris’ favorability ratings are as bad as Joe Biden’s,” said Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming at a news conference before Harris’ event. “So they are exchanging one bad candidate for another bad candidate in the hope that the people of this state and this country don’t notice where she actually stands on the issues.”
“In this campaign, I promise you, I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week,” Harris declared to the enthusiastic audience.”We believe in a future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead.”
Harris arrived in the Milwaukee area buoyed by fresh support from Democratic delegates and $100 million in donations since Sunday afternoon. Democratic officials and political groups, including congressional leaders Charles Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have thrown their weight behind Harris, bolstering her campaign’s momentum.
Her visit to Wisconsin underscored the importance of the “blue wall” states—Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—that are crucial for a Democratic victory. By choosing Milwaukee, Harris placed a strategic marker in a state recently energized by the Republican National Convention.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, who is up for reelection this year, spoke before Harris on Tuesday, having skipped Biden’s visit earlier this month. Baldwin’s presence signaled a unified front as Harris sharpened her message against the GOP nominee with just over 100 days until Election Day.
Harris leaned heavily on her background as a former district attorney and California attorney general to draw a stark contrast with Trump, the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes. “She’s prepared to meet this moment because she was professionally trained to prosecute a criminal, and unfortunately that’s who the Republicans have put forward,” said Senator Laphonza Butler of California.
Harris took to the stage with Beyoncé’s anthem “Freedom” blaring in the background and quickly set about differentiating herself from Trump. “I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type,” she stated emphatically.
Casting her campaign as a “people first” endeavor, Harris emphasized her opponent’s alignment with special interests and corporations. “We are not going back,” she declared. “And I’ll tell you why we are not going back. Ours is a fight for the future.” This echoed former President Barack Obama’s refrain during his 2012 reelection campaign.
Harris’ swift rise has necessitated the vetting of potential running mates, a process led by Eric Holder, Obama’s former attorney general. However, her primary impact has been energizing Democrats. Diane Walter, a 68-year-old from South Milwaukee, expressed her excitement: “I’ve been a Democrat my whole life. She’s energizing the party again.”
Tevin Humphrey, 21, who attended the rally with his mother, described Harris as “a great figure to look up to.” He added, “She’s a better representative of the diversity we’re looking for.”
Trump and his campaign have quickly shifted their focus to Harris, dubbing her “Lyin’ Kamala Harris” and accusing her of not being tough enough on crime as a prosecutor. Trump also sought to tie her to the administration’s border policies as he aims to make immigration a central campaign issue.
Signs indicate Trump may be uneasy about facing the younger vice president rather than contesting Biden. Twice since Biden withdrew, Trump has suggested moving the planned second presidential debate from ABC News to Fox News, perceived as more sympathetic to him.
Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, responded to Trump’s attacks with dismissive confidence, telling reporters, “That’s all he’s got?”
Joining Harris in Wisconsin were major elected officials, including Governor Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler. Their support highlighted the strategic significance of Harris’ visit.
Wisconsin Republican leaders, however, branded Harris as an “extreme liberal” out of step with most swing state voters. “Kamala Harris’ favorability ratings are as bad as Joe Biden’s,” said Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming at a news conference before Harris’ event. “So they are exchanging one bad candidate for another bad candidate in the hope that the people of this state and this country don’t notice where she actually stands on the issues.”