In a whirlwind campaign tour across portions of the country, Vice President Kamala Harris aimed to bring an optimistic tone to her closing message, opting not to mention her opponent, former President Donald Trump, by name. Just two days before Election Day, Harris sought to distinguish her vision of unity and hope from the stark contrast she sees in Trump’s rhetoric. Her rallies at four locations across Michigan culminated in a speech at Michigan State University’s Jamison Field House in East Lansing, where she underscored her aspirations for a more positive, inclusive future.
Harris’s message leaned heavily into a call for change, addressing a crowd ready for “a fresh start” and a chance to “turn the page on a decade of politics driven by fear and division.”
Of course she totally left out the part about her being in office for the last few years.
She expressed frustration over divisive politics that, in her view, have polarized Americans, adding that it’s time to see “our fellow American not as an enemy, but as a neighbor.” This marked a significant rhetorical shift from just a week ago when she was using vile comments to comment on the former president.
While Harris’s campaign tone shifted toward positivity, her supporters were far less reserved. Over the past week, notable figures within the Democratic camp took verbal jabs at Trump and his supporters. President Joe Biden, during a virtual campaign event with Voto Latino, referenced Trump’s recent rally in Madison Square Garden, where a controversial joke by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe stirred controversy by calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Biden seized on this moment, responding sharply to Trump’s base, stating, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” He further condemned Trump’s approach toward Latinos as “unconscionable” and “un-American,” underscoring the deep-rooted cultural rifts that continue to divide the nation.
Meanwhile, billionaire entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban also added fuel to the fire during an appearance on ABC’s *The View*. Cuban’s remarks targeted Trump’s relationship with women, saying, “Donald Trump, you never see him around strong, intelligent women. Ever.” Cuban speculated that Trump’s reluctance to surround himself with such figures stemmed from his inability to handle their strength and intellect.
As Harris looked to rise above the fray with a forward-looking message, Trump took a different approach, focusing his efforts on key battlegrounds like Pennsylvania. The former president continued to rally his base in a state that could be pivotal in determining the election outcome, driving home the sense of urgency that has defined his campaign strategy.