Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Rawhide Event Space, in Chandler, Arizona, U.S., October 10, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo
Kamala Harris Warns of Threat to U.S. Democracy from Donald Trump at Pennsylvania Rally
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, in a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Monday, reiterated her warning that Donald Trump poses a serious threat to U.S. democracy if he returns to the White House. Harris highlighted Trump’s recent remarks, in which he referred to “the enemy from within,” suggesting that those who disagree with him are dangerous. Her campaign played clips from Trump’s rallies to underscore the point, drawing on his statements that hinted at potential domestic conflict.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump implied that he might use military force against U.S. citizens if unrest occurred on Election Day. “The bigger problem is the enemy from within,” Trump said, referring to his political opponents as “radical left lunatics.” Trump also suggested that any chaos should be dealt with using the National Guard or the military, despite the fact that he would have no authority over them on November 5, as he is not the current president.
Harris’s Campaign in Pennsylvania
Harris’s visit to Pennsylvania is her 10th since announcing her candidacy in July, highlighting the state’s importance in the 2024 election. Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes could be crucial to deciding the race, making it a battleground for both campaigns. In addition to her rally in Erie, Harris made a stop at a Black-owned small business, reflecting her campaign’s concern about maintaining support from Black voters, particularly Black men.
New Policy Proposals Aimed at Black Voters
As part of her outreach to Black men, Harris unveiled new policy proposals on Monday. The initiative includes fully forgivable small business loans of up to $20,000 for entrepreneurs in underserved communities and a promise to legalize recreational marijuana, ensuring Black entrepreneurs have access to the industry. This move comes as recent polls, including one from the NAACP, indicate that over a quarter of young Black men may support Trump in the upcoming election.
The new policies also aim to expand access to emerging industries like cryptocurrency and address health disparities through a national health equity initiative focused on Black men. This initiative would target diseases like sickle cell anemia, which disproportionately affects the Black community. Harris’s goal is to make Black men a more central part of her campaign strategy as she enters the final stretch of the race.
Concerns Over Black Voter Turnout
Harris’s efforts come amid growing concerns within the Democratic Party about voter turnout among Black men, a demographic critical to securing victory in November. Former President Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats have expressed unease about whether Black men will support Harris in the same numbers that they supported Biden in 2020, when he garnered approximately 80% of the Black male vote.
The new policies unveiled by Harris aim to energize this group and address their specific economic and social concerns. Her campaign has acknowledged the need for greater outreach, and Harris will continue this push with a highly anticipated interview on Tuesday with Charlamagne tha God, a popular radio host and vocal critic of the Biden administration. This interview is expected to be an important opportunity for Harris to engage directly with Black millennials and further outline her vision for addressing the needs of Black men in America.
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