With less than two weeks before the November 5 election, nearly 25 million Americans have already cast their votes, as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump continue to rally support in crucial battleground states. During a town hall in Pennsylvania, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris made clear that her administration would differ from President Joe Biden’s, distancing herself from Biden’s policies amidst polls suggesting his unpopularity may hurt her candidacy. Harris emphasized her desire to take a new approach, saying, “My administration will not be a continuation of the Biden administration. I bring my own ideas and experience.”
Her town hall in Chester Township was an effort to sway undecided voters in a tightly contested race, where a small shift in voter preference could be decisive. Harris addressed key concerns, promising to tackle rising grocery prices and calling for an end to the Middle East war. She also labeled Trump a fascist, warning that he posed a danger to America’s safety. When asked about shifting positions on policies like fracking, she explained that she values consensus-building over rigid adherence to past stances. Notably, Harris clarified that while she previously supported banning fracking during her 2019 presidential bid, she would not ban it now if elected.
Harris was also asked about reforming the Supreme Court, suggesting that it may be necessary to expand its size or otherwise make changes. She said, “I do believe that there should be some kind of reform of the court, and we can study what that actually looks like.” These comments reflect the broader debate within the Democratic Party about court reform, though Harris stopped short of endorsing a specific plan.
As Harris campaigned in Pennsylvania, Trump was also on the trail, speaking at a rally in Georgia, where record levels of early voting have been reported. Trump addressed the crowds at a “ballots and believers” event in Zebulon, Georgia, celebrating the high voter turnout in states like North Carolina and Georgia. He told attendees, “The votes in Georgia are at record levels… We’re doing really well and hopefully we can fix our country.” Trump has been working hard to energize Christian evangelical voters, urging them to turn out in large numbers despite his occasional off-color remarks, such as his recent joke about Arnold Palmer’s anatomy.
Trump, who has been a fixture in political rallies since his 2015 presidential run, expressed mixed emotions about the upcoming end of his time as a candidate, saying, “In many ways, it’s sad… We’ve been doing this for nine years, and it’s down to 12 days.” After Zebulon, Trump headed to Duluth, Georgia, for another rally where he was joined by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Country music star Jason Aldean was also present, encouraging the crowd to vote early, a practice Trump has slowly embraced despite having previously criticized it.
Both Pennsylvania and Georgia are among seven key battleground states that will likely determine the outcome of the presidential race. Harris and Trump are expected to spend much of the remaining days before the election focusing their efforts on these states, where the contests are too close to call.
Earlier in the day, Harris seized on recent remarks by Trump’s former White House chief of staff, John Kelly, who told The New York Times that Trump met the “general definition of fascist” and expressed admiration for dictators. Harris called these comments “deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous,” further underscoring her warning about the threat she believes Trump poses. Trump’s campaign, however, denied Kelly’s allegations, dismissing them as “debunked stories.”
Harris also attempted to push Trump into agreeing to a second presidential debate after their only debate in September on ABC News, in which she was widely seen as the victor. Despite Harris’s efforts, a second debate seems unlikely.
In terms of polling, Harris maintains a slight lead over Trump, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showing her ahead by just 46% to Trump’s 43%. However, the tight margin highlights the critical role that undecided voters in swing states like Pennsylvania and Georgia could play in determining the election’s outcome.
In sum, as Election Day draws near, both candidates are focusing their efforts on battleground states, where high voter turnout and a close contest make every vote crucial. Harris continues to work on distinguishing her candidacy from Biden’s, while Trump rallies his base, particularly evangelical voters, as the clock ticks down on his second and final bid for the presidency. With millions of ballots already cast and a fiercely competitive race, the next two weeks will be decisive in shaping the future direction of the United States.
