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Harris, Trump barnstorm in Michigan, where polls are tied

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 20, 2024 and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., August 15, 2024 are seen in a combination of file photographs. REUTERS/Marco Bello, Jeenah Moon/File Photo

Harris and Trump Campaign Intensify in Battleground Michigan as Election Nears

Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are ramping up their campaigns in Michigan, a key battleground state, as opinion polls show the U.S. presidential candidates in a tight race just 18 days before the November 5 election.

Campaign Events in Michigan

Former President Trump is scheduled to speak in Auburn Hills, located in Oakland County, a region that President Joe Biden won decisively in the 2020 election. Trump will also hold a rally in Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, at 7 p.m. (2300 GMT). During a previous appearance on October 10, Trump warned that a Harris victory would turn the rest of the United States into Detroit, a city he has frequently criticized.

Vice President Harris, on the other hand, is making appearances in the more conservative region of western Michigan, starting in Grand Rapids before moving east to Lansing and Oakland County. Both candidates are vying for the state’s critical voting blocs, including Arab Americans, seniors, unions, and working-class voters.

Michigan’s Electoral Importance

Michigan, with approximately 8.4 million voters, offers 15 Electoral College votes, which could be pivotal in determining the winner of the presidential election. Both Harris and Trump are fiercely contesting these votes in a state that could play a decisive role in the overall electoral outcome. Public and internal campaign polling shows that the two candidates are in a virtual tie, adding to the high stakes.

Attacks Intensify on the Campaign Trail

As election day approaches, the rhetoric from both candidates has escalated. On Friday, Trump made derogatory remarks about Harris during an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” falsely labeling her as a Marxist and questioning her intelligence. “She’s a low-IQ person. She’s not smart,” Trump claimed.

Harris, responding to Trump’s remarks, accused him of “gaslighting” the American public about the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump recently referred to the violent event as a “day of love,” drawing further criticism.

Michigan’s Recent Electoral History

Michigan has played a significant role in recent presidential elections. In 2016, Trump narrowly won the state by 11,000 votes, while Biden turned the state blue in 2020, winning by 155,000 votes. Both campaigns are aware of how crucial Michigan is, particularly given its history of close margins.

Harris’ Strategic Shift and Democratic Concerns

Harris is adjusting her campaign strategy, making a concerted effort to appeal to Republicans and men across racial lines. Her campaign has enlisted the help of popular figures, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, who is scheduled to campaign for the vice president in Michigan on October 26.

Nationally, Harris’ lead over Trump has narrowed. In late September, Harris led Trump by 7 percentage points in national polls. However, according to recent Reuters/Ipsos polling, that lead has shrunk to just 3 points. Economic concerns, including rising food and rent prices, remain key issues for American voters, while Trump has amplified fears about immigration through increasingly extreme rhetoric regarding migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

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