In a rapid series of events, Vice President Kamala Harris energized supporters during a campaign gathering in Atlanta on July 30. This came shortly after President Joe Biden’s surprising withdrawal from the race just 107 days before the election.
Despite enduring long wait times and challenging weather conditions, a capacity crowd of over 10,000 attendees gathered at the Georgia Convocation Center to hear Harris speak. The event followed Harriss official campaign announcement and received endorsements from prominent party members, including former President Barack Obama.
Harris emphasized the critical role Georgia plays in the path to the White House. She urged attendees to seize the brief window of opportunity to rally voters, as there are only 98 days left until the November 5th election. Several introductory speakers, including Georgia Democrats Sens. Jon Ossof and Raphael Warnock, Rep. Nikema Williams, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and voting activist and former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, also highlighted this countdown.
Recognizing the significance of Georgia, Democrats have mobilized their largest-ever campaign operation in the state. Michael Tyler, the communications director for the Harris campaign, revealed that approximately 170 staff members are operating from 24 offices throughout Georgia. Prior to Harriss visit, the campaign organized about 2,500 volunteers for 174 events across the state.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has scheduled a rally in Georgia for August 3rd. Georgia is one of several battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Arizona, where both the Harris and Trump campaigns have announced volunteer mobilization efforts.
Karoline Leavitt, the national press secretary for the Trump campaign, highlighted their initiative, Trump Force 47, which has engaged tens of thousands of volunteers. Leavitt stated that they have paid staffers and volunteer-powered field programs in every battleground state, with their presence expanding daily. The stark contrast between the two campaigns was emphasized by Harris as she spoke about the two different visions for the nation.
In her address, Harris outlined her objectives, including reducing healthcare costs, protecting the right to vote, rebuilding the middle class, and addressing gun violence. She also pledged to restore access to abortion, highlighting the serious threat to hard-fought freedoms and rights across the nation.
Harriss presence in the race has generated increased enthusiasm among some voters who were initially more hesitant about supporting Biden. Suzi Campbell, a 67-year-old Biden supporter from Atlanta, expressed her excitement about Harriss prospects. Similarly, Shuann Harris, a 67-year-old Atlanta resident, noted the energetic atmosphere among the younger generations.
Dwayne LaGrone, a 26-year-old Atlanta resident, echoed this sentiment, believing that Harris’s campaign resonates particularly well with younger voters due to her ability to embody diverse identities and experiences. Nicholas Higgins, a political science professor at Greenville State University, highlighted that Harris’s relative lack of public recognition could help her appeal beyond the Democratic Party’s base and potentially sway more moderate independent voters.
In Georgia, polling averages compiled by Real Clear Politics indicate that Trump currently leads Harris by 2 percentage points with a 3.6 percent margin. However, a poll by Susquehanna Polling released on July 30 showed Harris with a 4-point lead in Pennsylvania. Despite early enthusiasm among moderates, Henry Olsen, a senior fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center, warned that the Trump campaign will attempt to portray Harris as too liberal and lacking leadership skills, using the funds at their disposal to reinforce these points.
Nevertheless, Harris presents a clear alternative to Trump, as stated by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who highlighted their striking differences in leadership style and impact on the country. While Harris is yet to announce her vice presidential nominee, the top contenders widely speculated upon include Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Andy Bashear of Kentucky, as well as Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. Harris mentioned to reporters on July 30 that she will be traveling with her running mate next week, with a campaign rally scheduled for Philadelphia on August 6.