Harris Says America Is Ready to Elect Its First Woman President

Kamala Harris stated Tuesday that America is “absolutely” ready to elect its first woman president, though she emphasised that her candidacy is primarily about moving beyond Donald Trump’s tumultuous era.

Speaking to NBC, Harris acknowledged the significance of her bid but framed it as a necessary step for a nation “exhausted” by Trump’s self-centred leadership.

With two weeks remaining until Election Day, Harris and Trump are intensifying their efforts in swing states, conducting rallies and utilising various media platforms to sway voters in a nearly tied race in recent polls.

During her interview, Harris responded affirmatively when asked if the country was prepared to elect its first female president. “People are exhausted with Donald Trump and his approach because it’s all about himself,” she remarked, underscoring her campaign’s focus on renewal and change.

Contrasting Harris’s message, Trump, at a rally in North Carolina, painted a dire picture of a potential Harris presidency.

“This election is a choice between whether we will have four more years of incompetence, failure, and disaster or whether we’ll begin the four greatest years in the history of our country,” he declared, drawing cheers from the crowd while derogatorily referring to Harris and her running mate Tim Walz as “stupid.”

The election is marred by heightened tensions and concerns about potential violence, particularly regarding Trump’s ongoing refusal to accept the 2020 election results.

Harris expressed confidence in her campaign’s readiness for Trump’s premature claims of victory during a vote-counting process that could take days.

President Biden, who has played a limited role in campaigning for Harris, humorously alluded to Trump’s infamous “Lock her up” slogan by suggesting, “we got to lock” Trump up — adding quickly, “politically lock him up.” This statement comes as Trump faces multiple criminal charges amid his bid for the presidency.

Currently, around 18 million Americans have voted by mail or in person, accounting for over 10 per cent of total votes in the 2020 election. Recent polls show that Trump, who is 78, is the oldest nominee from a major party in U.S. history, with a slight lead, though within the margin of error.

Regardless of the outcome, the election on November 5 will be historic, potentially marking the election of the first woman president or the first convicted felon to hold the office.

Harris, 60, is leveraging the support of two of her party’s most influential figures, former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. At a rally in Madison on Tuesday, Obama passionately criticised Trump, urging attendees, “Don’t boo, vote!”

Later in the day, rapper Eminem heightened the star power at a significant Harris campaign event in Detroit, introducing Obama, who surprised the audience with a performance of Eminem’s hit “Lose Yourself.”

“I don’t usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,” Obama quipped before reciting the song’s lyrics, which elicited enthusiastic applause.

Meanwhile, Trump has increasingly propagated conspiracy theories during his campaign, focusing on immigration and attacking his political rivals. Speaking to Latino leaders in Florida, he remarked on the power of the presidency, stating, “You can, just by the fact, you say, ‘Close the border,’ and the border’s closed.”

The Harris campaign is strategically targeting moderate Republican voters, challenging Trump’s mental and physical fitness for office.

John Kelly, a former Marine general and one of Trump’s top aides, confirmed to The New York Times that he views Trump as a fascist, citing his authoritarian tendencies and admiration for dictators.

Additionally, Joe Rogan, host of a widely popular podcast, announced that his interview with Trump will be released on Friday.

Non-traditional media, such as podcasts, have played a crucial role in this election cycle, allowing campaigns to engage specific demographics, including young women and Black men.