Associated Press
Vice President Kamala Harris is making the “closing argument” for her presidential campaign Tuesday from the same site where Donald Trump in 2021 fomented the Capitol insurrection, hoping it offers a stark visualization of the alternate futures that voters face if she or Trump takes over the Oval Office in just three months.
One week out from Election Day, Harris was to use her 7:30 p.m. ET address from the grassy Ellipse near the White House, to pledge to Americans that she’ll work to improve their lives while arguing her Republican opponent is only in it for himself.
She hoped to sharpen that contrast by delivering her capstone speech from the place where Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, spewed falsehoods about the 2020 Presidential Election that inspired a crowd to march to the Capitol and try unsuccessfully to halt the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory and the sealing of his own defeat.
With time running out and the race razor-tight, Harris and Trump both have been looking for big moments to try to shift the momentum one way or the other. But after her speech in the nation’s capital, Harris will be back to furiously scouring for votes one rally and one event after another in the battleground states.
“It’s a place that certainly we believe helps crystalize the choice in this election,” said Harris campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon of the setting, calling it “a stark visualization of probably the most infamous example of Donald Trump and how he’s used his power for bad.”
“There’s a big difference between he and I,” Harris told reporters Monday in previewing her speech. “If he were elected, on Day 1 he’s going to sit in the Oval Office working on his enemies list. On Day 1, if I am elected, which I fully expect to be, I will be working on behalf of the American people on my to-do list.”
Her campaign was hoping to draw a massive crowd to Washington for the event. But, more critically, her campaign is hoping the setting will help catch the attention of battleground state voters who remain on the fence about whom to vote for — or whether to vote at all.
It comes days after Harris traveled to Texas, a reliably Republican state, to appear with megastar Beyoncé and emphasize the consequences for women after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. That, too, was a speech meant to register with voters far away in the battleground states.
The Vice President’s latest address has been in the works for weeks. But aides hoped her message would land with more impact after Trump’s rally Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York, where speakers hurled cruel and racist insults. Harris said the event “highlighted the point that I’ve been making throughout this campaign.”
“He is focused and actually fixated on his grievances, on himself and on dividing our country,” she said.
Harris was expected to use her speech to lay out a pragmatic and forward-looking plan for the country, including reminding voters about her economic proposals and pledging to staunchly work for access to reproductive care, including abortion.
“That stark contrast has real power when she’s delivering solutions and Trump is sowing division and hate,” O’Malley Dillon said.
Also central to her message: positioning herself as a “new generation” of leader after Trump and even her current boss, Biden. She’s going to be “talking about what her new generation of leadership really means and centering that around the American people and what they care about,” O’Malley Dillon said.
As for Trump, Harris said Monday, “People are literally ready to turn the page. They’re tired of it.”
Harris’ aides, many of whom also advised Biden’s campaign before he dropped out, still believe that centering the race on who Trump is and how she’s different will be their strongest message for voters.
“She’s already made her case, she’s presented the evidence. She’s offering up a summation tonight, and she has faith in the wisdom of the jury,” said campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said it was important for battleground voters to be reminded of the consequences of their choice this Fall and for Harris “to really drive home the stakes of this election and the clear contrast in the race.”
He said Harris had the stronger argument on economic policies, reproductive freedom and the matter of chaos vs. order, adding that she “has a vision that’s going to bring more order and more hopefulness and more joy.”
Ahead of Harris’ speech, Trump used remarks to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Tuesday morning to accuse Harris of closing with a message that doesn’t address everyday Americans’ day-to-day struggles and kitchen table concerns.
He said Harris keeps “talking about Hitler, and Nazis, because her record’s horrible,” a reference to Harris amplifying the warnings from his former chief of staff that Trump spoke admiringly of the Nazi leader while in office.
Harris was spending the day ahead of her speech taping television interviews airing in Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, and Spanish language radio in Pennsylvania, her campaign said.
___
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
52 comments
I Am Speaking.
October 29, 2024 at 12:33 pm
I would love to see someone pull the plug on that teleprompter this evening and let the word salad begin.
Dont Say FLA
October 29, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Would you love it more than if she cajoled her attendees into marching on the Capitol, breaking in and pooping all over the place as if they forget their adult (sized) diapers?
I Am Speaking.
October 29, 2024 at 12:42 pm
You still going with an attempted overthrow of the government? Im sure you are all in with the Puerto Rico joke as well.
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Dont Say FLA
October 29, 2024 at 1:38 pm
How is breaking and entering and pooping either of an attempted overthrow of a government or a Puerto Rico joke? No comprendo, please explain please.
I Am Speaking.
October 29, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Many people claim that was an attempted overthrow of the US Government. Yup a rag tag group of protesters that went too far and armed with American Flags, cellphones, and backpacks were going to defeat the most powerful military in the world. That’s what CNN, MSNBC and others told you. Comprende?
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 2:29 pm
So let’s take the worst behavior of some democrats and paint all democrats with the same brush. You registered democrats were convicted of domestic terrorism, derailing trains. As far as I’m concerned, you’re all the same. Not a joke.
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 2:02 pm
They refer to them as breakfast tacos. Never forget.
cassandra was right
October 30, 2024 at 11:55 am
“So let’s take the worst behavior of some democrats and paint all democrats with the same brush.”
Stop trying to drag ALL Republicans down into the sewer with you. Look how many are supporting Harris! But if you’re defending and voting for the Top Terrorist, yeah you’re guilty too.
Ocean Joe
October 30, 2024 at 10:21 am
Why was Jan 6 chosen as the date for the Will be Wild rally, why did Trump tell them to go down to the Capitol and that they had to fight or they wouldnt have a country and that he would go down there with them?
Because he knew the members of the electoral college had assembled, with his vice president as the presiding officer, to do what has been done for two centuries: count the votes and declare a winner and the next president.
Sending the mob down there, which forced it’s way over barricades, smashed windows and doors to get in, forced the assembled electors to flee for their own safety and prevented the lawful, official results of the election from being determined until many hours later when order was restored.
To the extent his and the mob’s actions were intended to block the constitutionally provided method by which the American people select a president, if successful, it would have overthrown the decision by the majority of voters as reflected by the electoral college. That it was only temporary, means that it failed.
We can ALL thank Mike Pence, a true Republican, a very religious man like yourself, for doing the right thing. Say, why does he now refuse to support Mr. Trump.
Hope that helps Ed. It was a pretty dark day. I voted for Trump in the 2016 race, and like Pence, wont make that mistake again.
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Even with the teleprompter it’s still word salad. Don’t forget the panderaccent of the day. Such a fraud.
cassandra was right
October 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I guess you missed the ellipse rally last night!
FREEDOM! DEMOCRACY! JOY!
Vote HARRIS!
Michael K
October 29, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Harris offers a huge contrast with her opponent. She embodies the promise of America, while her opponent, who inherited his money, sees nothing but a dystopian cesspool, conjured up with his lies, intended to induce fear and division.
She is smart, thoughtful, analytical, and careful with her words because a President’s words do matter. She is disciplined, focused, and willing to do the hard work. Her opponent spent more time golfing than any other president in history – at great expense to taxpayers – while he overcharged security to stay at his properties.
She is the promise of a new generation of leadership – her opponent is past his prime and would hang a sale sign for the highest bidder.
At the end of the day, I think Americans will trust the prosecutor over the convicted felon.
I Am Speaking.
October 29, 2024 at 1:44 pm
That is the biggest bunch of BS I have ever read. The most liberal Senator in the United States of America trying to paint a picture of a moderate. Oh and she certainly is not smart.
MarvinM
October 29, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Why do you think she is not smart?
I Am Speaking.
October 29, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Well she flunked her bar exam the first time around. It’s obvious that she can’t think on her feet. Did you see that moment on the campaign trail when her teleprompter failed? Brain lock right away.
Michael K
October 29, 2024 at 2:30 pm
She servered as district attorney and attorney general and vice president and passed the bar. You simply dislike women and constantly degrade their intelligence, and if they are successful you call them a whore. She mopped the floor with Trump in the only debate the coward would agree to. He was the one unable to think on his feet because he’s feeble and weak and dim witted.
Bobblehead Kammy
October 29, 2024 at 3:14 pm
You are correct Michael K she did eventually pass the bar but not on her first attempt. I have also acknowledged that she did soundly defeat Trump on the debate. She performed so well it leads one to believe her team was leaked the debate questions beforehand. Her performances after that debate have been marginal at best. I don’t hate women. I could say you hate white men that’s why you dislike Trump. She just isn’t qualified for the job. Ask yourself why over 90% of her staff have quit on her. Why is that?
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 4:45 pm
MAGA MARKIE AKA BOBBLEHEAD KAMMY AKA I AM SPEAKING AKA??? , yes, you do hate women. every one of your posts have some form of sexist chauvinism included. in florida 45% fail their first bar exam. in california 56% fail. so you are criticizing harris for doing what MOST califoria exam takers do, fail. california may have a harder test than florida, i don’t know. the percentages of failure takes the wind out of your woman hating agenda. dude, you are a certified loser. i made only a’s and b’s in college without too much effort, does that make me smart, no, i’m just a good test taker. you, well you are good at being a sexist.
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 5:07 pm
MAGA MARKIE, what lie are you telling now? what senator do you think is the most liberal? george helmy is largely considered to be the most progressive senator. liberal is a derogatory term used primarily by maga cultist. you don’t know much about anything it seems. i bet you never heard of helmy and don’t know what state he’s from. you are a fool’s fool.
I Am Speaking.
October 29, 2024 at 6:11 pm
I thought you read four hours a day. What are you reading, Dr Zeus’s? FYI while Kammy was a US Senator she was in fact voted the most liberal senator in that body. Do you get WI-FI in your double wide. Google it hillbilly.
Let Me Be Clear
October 29, 2024 at 6:18 pm
George Helmy eh? Appointed like Kammy. No election. No primary. No Democracy. How long has been in the Senate? six months? ten months? Kammy probably has no idea who he is either. You crack me up slum lord.
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 7:07 pm
LET ME BE CLEAR ( PEACHY ), yes, helmy was appointed. he’s from new jersey. i thought a political genius like you would know ALL of the us senators like i do.
I like tea
October 30, 2024 at 9:33 am
oooh teaa
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Promises don’t pay the bills or increase the purchasing power of the dollar. She’s a puppet of the board of directors on the federal reserve. Nothing more. That’s who democrats serve. Get a clue.
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 5:20 pm
BILLY BOY, your post was garbage as usual. don’t judge someone for making a promise that they haven’t had the chance to fulfill yet. don’t you even know the simplest of things? you act like a spoiled brat. complaining instead of waiting to see first, is childish for sure. you maga nuts are full of bad intentions for sure.
A day without Libturds
October 29, 2024 at 5:53 pm
Nope, that’s what you do Rick. You are a walking minus sign.
Let Me Be Clear
October 29, 2024 at 6:42 pm
Rick is so negative he got kicked out of “The Villages”.
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 7:44 pm
Excuses are the tools of the incompetent used to build bridges to nowhere and monuments of nothingness Rick. Don’t make a promise you can’t keep. Only a sith deals in absolutes.
I like tea
October 30, 2024 at 9:34 am
holy tea
PeterH
October 29, 2024 at 1:41 pm
If you’re looking at the polls …. this is a very very close election. When you see a national or State poll of likely voters showing 48% for Trump and a 47% for Harris ….. keep in mind that you’re not seeing 5% who are either writing in a candidate, voting for a third party on the ballot or more realistically not willing to tell a text or email electronic polling service their response. Additionally, when you see a particular polling venue show Harris with +3 on October 1 and -2 a week later you might want to entirely ignore that polling venue.
ScienceBLVR
October 29, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Come on “America”
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside ragin’
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’
Vote for Democracy for Everyone
Vote BLUE
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 2:12 pm
And just like that, the left went from questioning authority to licking it’s boots. You are what Abbie Hoffman referred to as a PIG. Oink Oink Oink.
ScienceBLVR
October 29, 2024 at 4:29 pm
You ain’t fit to lick Abbie’s boots!
A day without Libturds
October 29, 2024 at 5:55 pm
You pigs are hilarious.
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 7:16 pm
“Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburgers.” He was referencing democrats. For anytime anyone dares to critique you people, out comes the demonizing. Clearly. It is not possible to have a meaningful conversation with you people.
Ocean Joe
October 30, 2024 at 10:02 am
Did you really come here for a meaningful conversation? If you say yes, you’re as dishonest as Donald.
“George Washington could not tell a lie.”
“Donald Trump cannot tell the truth.”
“MAGAs cannot tell the difference.”
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 5:34 pm
BILLY BOY, as i have previously said, i have met abbie hoffman years ago. you have no clue about him or his message. i think they call guys like you “pretenders”. billy boy, you are what i call a punk’s punk. now abbie would agree with that summation of a punk pretender such as yourself
A day without Libturds
October 29, 2024 at 5:54 pm
You lie, government boot licking pig.
A day without Libturds
October 29, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Why do you lie Rick?
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 9:46 pm
LIPTURD, why do you ask stupid questions? because you are a punk. that was easy.
Billy Rotberg
October 29, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Anyone who read his last book clearly understands his full body autonomy stance. He harped on “The right of the people to be secure in their PERSONS” which means a person’s body. So he was against drug tests, real ID, and your Vax mandate on constitutional grounds. Hated big government and regulations, anti CIA so that means he was Anti you. Your warped logic is laughable. You are a tool of the establishment.
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 9:55 pm
BILLY BOY, if you only knew. i’ve revealed little , you know little. on the other hand, i know quite a bit about you. that’s why i call you a punk. being misinformed and suffering from dunning kruger effect, doesn’t make you a bad person, just an annoying person. i could teach you a lot if you were teachable.
cassandra was right
October 30, 2024 at 12:09 pm
You don’t really think Abbie Hoffman would be a MAGA / Project 2025-er do you???
cassandra was right
October 30, 2024 at 12:27 pm
I don’t see you speaking up for women’s body autonomy! If you think it’s okay for the government to use women as mobile incubators for the benefit of the state, get ready for the rest of body autonomy to soon be gone. SCOTUS has already shown their disdain for the concept. It’s time to start standing up for individual rights — even the ones you don’t like.
YEW OWEME
October 29, 2024 at 6:58 pm
LIPTURD, get that orange turd out of your mouth before you talk please. if calling me a liar makes you feel bigger, have at it. i’ve been a hippy since 1967 when i moved out on my own. what were you doing then? i was out protesting, attending concerts and rallys. iv’e also met stephen gaskins several times. we belonged to similar groups and shared a vegetation lifestyle. the fugs are my favorite group. the fugs were close friends with abbie hoffman and allen ginsberg. dude, you are a fool to underestimate me. i don’t underestimate you. i know that are far worse than i can imagine. calling me a liar, what a joke.
I like tea
October 30, 2024 at 9:35 am
dats crazy *sips tea*
I Am Garbage.
October 30, 2024 at 10:00 am
I have an idea. How about a formal press conference Kammy? You haven’t done one. I think most of us know why. You seem to run away from every interview / sit down / Q&A that might be somewhat challenging. The Rogan podcast is just the latest example. What happened to the agreed upon 30 minutes with Brett Baier? How about the edited 60 minutes piece. How about the edited sit down with Dana Bash and No Balls? You are an empty vessel.
Still Waiting for the Lying to Stop
October 30, 2024 at 10:05 am
Yes, and when she does, maybe she can discuss Donald’s tax returns, or his health care plan, or the documentation that the election of 2020 was stolen, ALL of which he promised many times to produce.
I Am Garbage.
October 30, 2024 at 11:15 am
Why do you want his income tax returns? Let’s see yours. Of course the IRS watches him very closely and the Biden / Kammy team is hiring 86k more agents. Health Plans? Kammy is on record saying she wants single payer. Get rid of health insurance is what she said,. We are only 40+ trillion in debt.
cassandra was right
October 30, 2024 at 12:44 pm
It’s not 86k agents. And it’s over a decade. The ones that have benefited have already collected over $1B from Trump’s rich tax cheats! Medicare is far less expensive than private health insurance run by Project 2025 advocates who plan to privatize and voucher-ize the program. Medicare administration cost is 3% iirc. Price per person would decrease significantly over current private and job related medical insurance.Federal and personal debt would have potential to decrease. It would be great if Harris prioritized single payer. I personally haven’t heard her do so.
Google Trump’s and Vance’s Project 2025! It’s a nightmare for everyone except the super rich!
Dont Say FLA
October 30, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Fox cut the Brett Baier interview short because he and Fox were embarrassing themselves. Meanwhile VP Harris was setting some truths loose onto Fox viewers. So they cut it short in an attempt at keeping you you