President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned together for the first time on Monday after Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. The event, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, aimed to bolster support in this crucial battleground state as the November 5 election approaches.
Addressing union members from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and about 600 supporters, Biden repeatedly emphasized his confidence in Harris, who is locked in a tight race against Republican candidate Donald Trump.
“We have made a lot of progress, and Kamala and I are going to build on that progress,” Biden said. “I’ll be on the sidelines, but I’ll do everything I can to help.”
The Labor Day event highlighted Biden’s continued influence in the campaign, despite stepping back from the presidential race after a challenging debate performance against Trump. At 81, Biden initially resisted withdrawing but has since fully endorsed Harris, 59, as the party’s standard-bearer.
“There’s only one rational choice this time — that’s Kamala Harris,” Biden declared, drawing cheers from the crowd. “I know her. I trust her. She has a backbone like a ramrod and the compass of a saint. If you elect Kamala Harris as president, it will be the best decision you ever made.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump responded by touting his economic record and accusing Harris and Biden of reversing his achievements.
Harris, who last appeared with Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago two weeks ago, is working to solidify her platform while balancing her loyalty to Biden’s administration. Although she has faced scrutiny for shifting from some of her more liberal positions, such as her 2020 pledge to ban fracking—a key industry in Pennsylvania—Harris has adapted her stance to appeal to a broader electorate.
Pennsylvania, a pivotal state in the upcoming election, could be decisive in determining the outcome. Harris acknowledged the importance of the race during Monday’s rally, launching into the final two-month stretch before the vote.
“Friends, 64 days until the most important election of our lives, and probably one of the most important in the life of our nation,” Harris said, positioning herself as the underdog. “We have some hard work ahead of us. But here’s the beauty of us in this room—we like our work. Hard work is good work.”
Meanwhile, Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, campaigned separately in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Democratic ticket intensified its efforts in key swing states.
Key Points:
- Biden and Harris Campaign Together: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held their first joint campaign event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate.
- Biden Endorses Harris: Biden expressed full support for Harris, emphasizing her leadership qualities and urging voters to back her in the upcoming election.
- Labor Day Rally: The event, held on Labor Day, marked the beginning of the final two-month sprint before the November 5 election, with Biden highlighting his ongoing role in supporting Harris’s campaign.
- Pennsylvania as a Key Battleground: Pennsylvania was highlighted as a crucial state that could determine the election outcome, with Harris tailoring her message to appeal to voters there.
- Harris’s Shift in Position: Harris has adapted some of her previous liberal positions, such as her stance on fracking, to align with the broader electorate in key states like Pennsylvania.
- Trump’s Response: Donald Trump responded to the rally by promoting his economic record and criticizing Harris and Biden for allegedly undoing his achievements.
- Harris’s Running Mate Campaigns in Wisconsin: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, campaigned separately in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of the broader Democratic strategy in swing states.
