PITTSBURGH, Oct 10 (Askume) – Former President Barack Obama delivered a stirring speech against Donald Trump and in support of Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Thursday aimed at encouraging young people to participate in the Nov. 5 election. That should be the motivation to accept the election.
Obama after he was forced to step down following his poor performance in a debate with Republican former President Trump in JulyObama has been a staunch supporter of Harris since she emerged as the leading Democratic candidate .
Obama’s White House tenure ended in 2017, but he remains popular among his party’s supporters. His rally at the University of Pittsburgh came as Harris campaigned in Nevada and Arizona,Here’s what she plans to do in the coming weeks
“I understand why people would try to change the status quo,” Obama told supporters. “I think people are frustrated and they think, ‘We can do better.'” “But I don’t understand why anyone would think that Donald Trump is going to change things in your favor, Pennsylvania.”
Obama said Trump only cares about his ego and money. He emphasized that Harris grew up in the middle class and believes in American values, which he compared to Trump’s behavior of lying and deliberate deception, including the government’s response to recent hurricanes .
Obama asked: “When will it get better?”
Highlighting Harris’s “solid plans” on housing and taxes, he said the election was as much about character and values as it was about policy. “Kamala is as prepared for this position as any presidential candidate,” he said. “You and Kamala have a real plan. Trump — the concept of a plan.”
Obama is also focused on male voters. Harris’ campaign has struggled with men, with Obama saying some of them embrace Trump’s intimidating behavior as a sign of strength.
“I’m here to tell you that’s not where the real power is,” Obama said.
Rural voters, young voters
Obama isn’t the only former president Harris is expected to include in the campaign.
Like Obama, Bill Clinton was a two-time Democratic president and former governor of Arkansas. He will stop in Georgia on Sunday and Monday before heading to North Carolina for a weekend bus tour to reach rural voters.
Young people are a key component of the coalition the Harris campaign hopes to win over. But data updated in September from Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement show that voter registration among young people in 34 states is lower than it was four years ago.
The number of Pennsylvanians ages 18 to 29 registered to vote in September was 15% lower than on Election Day 2020, the center’s data shows.
AJ, 27, attended the rally. “I understand why some young people are frustrated and maybe not as interested in politics or voting,” Herzog said, citing the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
“I think in some cases people will be disappointed because no matter who they vote for, everything is going to be the same. But I think if Kamala Harris becomes president, it will be much better than if Donald Trump comes back. More change is happening with Trump.
Obama’s involvement could help energize young people in the final stretch of the campaign. The former president has previously attempted to serve as a closer for Democratic candidates by holding events for Hillary Clinton and Biden in 2016 and 2020 , respectively, particularly as the election cycle draws closer and early voting begins, as is happening now.
The Trump campaign rejects Obama’s rhetoric and influence.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt said, “If anyone cared about what Obama said, Hillary Clinton would be president.”
Obama has helped raise $80 million for his 2024 presidential campaign, according to an aide.
He and his wife, Michelle, strongly supported Harris at the Democratic National Convention in August ; the former first lady is expected to campaign for Harris in the future.
Harris was one of the earliest supporters of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and has worked behind the scenes to help him serve as the party’s 2024 standard-bearer.
Some believe Obama helped convince Biden to drop out of the race because Democrats became concerned about the 81-year-old leader’s age and abilities after a debate between Biden and Trump in June.
The competition between Harris and Trump remains tight, and a win in Pennsylvania could be the key to winning the White House.
