Former US President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 10, 2024 (AFP/RYAN COLLERD)
Barack Obama used all his oratorical talents on Thursday to sound the charge against Donald Trump, and deliver a plea for Democrat Kamala Harris, less than a month before the American presidential election.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (north-east), the icon of the American left sharply warned voters of the prospect of a “close election”.
In an America still marked by post-Covid inflation, “there are a lot of Americans who are struggling. (…) So I understand why people want change,” he agreed.
“What I can’t understand is that anyone can believe that Donald Trump is going to shake things up in a way that is good for you,” said the ex-president, in this cradle of American steel which is one of the handful of key states for the November 5 election.
Electoral lies, anti-migrant diatribes, threats to health coverage, an increase in customs duties which risks increasing prices for consumers: Mr. Obama delivered a detailed indictment against the Republican billionaire, in front of a crowd which sometimes booed Mr. Trump.
“Don’t boo! Vote!” replied Mr. Obama, praising the “plan” proposed by Kamala Harris to grant tax cuts to the middle class, help first-time home buyers and subsidize the creation of small businesses.
“Kamala Harris is ready to do the job,” he insisted.
“We don’t need four more years of arrogance, clumsiness, bluster and division,” he said. “America is ready to turn the page.”
– Message for his black “brothers” –
Mr. Obama had already introduced Kamala Harris as his heir with the slogan “Yes She Can” during the Democratic convention this summer. But after the excitement caused by the impromptu replacement of Joe Biden, the vice-president must now go the distance.
Campaign meeting in support of Kamala Harris, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 10, 2024, in the presence of Barack Obama (AFP / RYAN COLLERD)
On Wednesday, an opinion survey carried out by Quinnipiac University noted gains for Donald Trump in three strategic pivotal states: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Polls have also shown for weeks that certain African-Americans are more tempted by the Republican tribune than in 2020.
In this context, Mr. Obama stopped in a neighborhood of Pittsburgh before his meeting, to warn his “brothers” who were hesitant to rally Ms. Harris.
“You give all kinds of reasons and excuses,” he scolded. “That poses a problem to me. It makes me think you don’t like the idea of having a woman as president.”
During his rally, he called on men in general not to confuse “intimidation and putting people down” with “a sign of strength.”
After his appearance in Pittsburgh, the first black president of the United States must engage in the fundraising effort, record television and telephone commercials, and travel to the six other “swing states” for the home stretch of the ballot.
According to several media, Ms. Harris should also soon involve former President Bill Clinton in her campaign, starting next weekend.
– Trump praises his protectionism –
For his part, Donald Trump led a protectionist offensive Thursday in Detroit, the capital of the automobile industry in Michigan (north).
Donald Trump (l), accompanied by the United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, John Rakolta, addresses the Detroit Economic Club held at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan, October 10, 2024 (AFP/JEFF KOWALSKY)
He denounced the fact that the United States had allowed foreign companies “to invade and rape our country.”
“I want German automakers to become American automakers,” he told the Detroit Economic Club.
“They’re sending their cars to us like we’re a bunch of idiots. BMWs, Mercedes, Volkswagens, by the millions and millions and millions. We’re not going to get screwed anymore, okay? Now they’re going to have to play by our rules.” , added the man who had pursued an ultra-protectionist economic policy under his presidency.
The 78-year-old tribune also continues to argue about the management of recent hurricanes, falsely accusing the government of not helping Republican territories: after the deadly storm Helene, Milton made landfall in Florida on Wednesday evening.
At a meeting in Arizona (southwest) on Thursday, the vice-president explained that she had participated in a remote meeting with the White House to coordinate the response to Milton.
“I spoke with local officials, Republican and Democratic, to let them know that we will be at their side throughout the recovery and reconstruction process,” she insisted.
The Democrat also regretted that her rival definitively ruled out organizing a second presidential debate with her on Wednesday evening.
“I think it does a disservice to voters,” she insisted, also seeing it “a sign of weakness.”
