WASHINGTON: US presidential hopeful Kamala Harris rallies in crucial swing state of Georgia on Tuesday, hoping to expand Democratic party’s battleground map against former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump and appeal to young Black voters with an appearance by hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion.
Harris’s visit to Georgia, a state that has emerged as a key battleground in the 2024 presidential race, comes as the Democratic campaign seeks to expand its competitive map following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the election. The vice president’s efforts are aimed at revitalizing Democratic prospects in a state that appeared to be a long shot under Biden’s initial campaign strategy.
The 59-year-old Harris, now leading the Democratic ticket, used her trip to unveil her first television ad since taking over from Biden. The ad emphasizes her record as a former prosecutor and presents her as a champion for progress, contrasting sharply with former President Donald Trump, who is criticized for wanting to “take the country backwards.”
“The vice president is energizing and mobilizing our base,” Dan Kanninen, Harris’s campaign battleground states director, said during a call with reporters on Monday. “We view Georgia as very competitive.”
Adding a touch of celebrity to her campaign, Harris was joined by Megan Thee Stallion, who promoted the event on social media with a post reading, “ATL HOTTIES SEE YOU TOMORROW,” featuring a picture of her alongside the word “Kamala.” The rapper’s appearance is part of a broader strategy to connect with younger voters and capitalize on the cultural influence of high-profile endorsements.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has been actively countering Harris’s push in Georgia. Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, announced a rally in Atlanta scheduled for Saturday.
“Kamala Harris and her complicit cronies have made the great people of Georgia pay a hefty price for their woke policies,” a Trump campaign statement said, criticizing Harris on the issue of immigration and painting her as part of a failing liberal agenda.
The campaign dynamics have shifted significantly with Biden’s exit, leaving Harris to contend with Trump, who is now the oldest candidate in US history. The Trump campaign’s new ad attacks Harris as a “failed, weak, dangerously liberal” figure, particularly focusing on her handling of illegal immigration.
Harris, who has faced historically low approval ratings as vice president, is now navigating the challenge of converting her improving campaign momentum into electoral victories. The campaign’s focus on Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada reflects a strategy to replicate the narrow victories Democrats secured in the 2020 election.
Republican vice presidential candidate Vance has faced criticism and controversy, including old video footage disparaging Democratic women. This scrutiny has added pressure on the Trump-Vance ticket as it prepares for a tough contest in key states like Georgia.
