Vice President Kamala Harris appeared with Lizzo in the singer’s hometown of Detroit on Saturday (October 19) to mark the start of in-person voting and address Republican candidate Donald Trump (Donald Trump) heaped praise on the city after recently disparaging it.
“All the best stuff is made in Detroit. Coney Dogs, Faygo and Lizzo,” the singer joked to the crowd, pointing to himself after listing off the meat skewers and sodas the city is famous for.
She said it was time to “give some respect to the Detroit name,” noting that the city has revolutionized the car and music industries, adding that she had voted for Harris because early voting was a “power move.” “.
People are praising the Motor City after former President Trump insulted the city during a recent campaign event. Harris continued the theme, saying of her campaign, “Like the people of Detroit, we have courage, we have excellence, we have history.”
As she took the stage, Harris spread her arms, allowing viewers to see that she was wearing a “Detroit vs. Everybody” T-shirt under her blazer, which was produced by the business owner who made the shirts during an earlier visit to the city. It was given to her at that time. She also used a handheld microphone to move around the stage during her speech, rather than using a teleprompter.
More than 1 million Michigan residents have already voted by mail in the Nov. 5 election, and Harris predicts high early voting turnout in Detroit.
“Who’s making the record?” Harris asked as she implored the crowd to take early voting to a new high. “We’re going to break some records in Detroit today.”
She blasted Trump’s instability: “If you’re not sure how to vote, someone needs to watch his rallies.”
“We’re not going to get these 17 days back. On Election Day, we don’t want to have any regrets,” the vice president said.
Lizzo also told the crowd: “Ma’am. The Commander-in-Chief has a great reputation.
“This is the swing state of all swing states, so every last vote here matters,” the singer said. Lizzo then added, quoting her song of the same name, “If you ask me if America is ready for its first female president, all I can say is: ‘It’s about damn time!’
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Wortley said in a statement that Harris needed Lizzo to “cover up the fact that Michiganders are feeling good under President Trump — real wages are higher, prices are lower, and everyone is better off.” .
Talona Johnson, a product manager from Rochester, Miss., attended Harris’ rally and said Harris “and her team are taking the necessary steps to make sure people are informed.”
“I believe she’s telling the truth. She’s trying to help people,” Johnson said. She said she planned to vote for Harris and cited women’s rights as her top concern.
“I don’t necessarily agree with everything she puts forward, but she’s better than everyone else.”
In comments to reporters before the rally, Harris said she came to Detroit “to thank everyone for their work in helping organize and register voters and get them out to vote today.” She also called Detroit “a great American city.” ”, with “many hard-working people who have courage and ambition and deserve respect.”
The vice president was asked whether the Biden administration’s full support for Israel in its war with Hamas in Gaza would hurt her support in Michigan. Dearborn, near Detroit, is the largest Arab-majority city in the country.
“It’s never easy,” Harris said of Middle East policy. “But that doesn’t mean we give up.”
She will gain even more star power later Saturday when she holds a rally in Atlanta that will also feature another popular singer, Usher.
Early voting is also underway in Georgia. More than 1.2 million votes have been cast in person or by mail. Democrats hope a broad organizing effort will propel Harris against Trump in the final weeks of the campaign.
Roderick Williams, 56, brought his three daughters to Harris’ rally in Atlanta. His youngest daughter was born during former President Barack Obama’s inauguration, and he hopes they can witness history again by seeing Harris become the first black woman to serve as president.
“It’s important for them to see that anything is possible,” Williams said.
