Washington, Sept 3: Vice President Kamala Harris is set to underscore her commitment to domestic steelworkers in a campaign rally alongside President Joe Biden on Monday. This event comes after a pivotal meeting at the White House, where Biden and Harris discussed a hostage and ceasefire deal concerning Gaza.
With the crucial post-Labor Day push to the November 5 election underway, both Harris and her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, are intensifying their outreach efforts in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada.
Harris, who assumed the top spot on the Democratic ticket following Biden’s withdrawal due to a lackluster debate performance, will use her Labor Day speech in Pittsburgh to advocate for keeping U.S. Steel under American ownership. This stance aligns with Biden’s earlier statement advocating for U.S. Steel Corpâs retention as a domestic entity despite its $14.9 billion acquisition offer from Japan’s Nippon Steel.
The upcoming rally will be the first joint appearance of Harris and Biden in their campaign roles since she became the Democratic nominee. Their focus on steel industry jobs highlights a broader effort to secure support in industrial regions.
Amidst these domestic campaign activities, international developments in the Middle East are also making headlines. Over the weekend, Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, intensifying criticism of the Biden administration’s ceasefire strategy and adding pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden expressed frustration with Netanyahuâs handling of the hostage situation, suggesting that more should be done to secure the remaining captives. This comes as the U.S. government, including Biden himself, works to mediate a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
The conflict has had significant casualties, with about 1,200 Israelis and over 40,000 Palestinians reported dead. The ongoing violence has also led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and allegations of genocide against Israel.
The issue has entered the U.S. election debate, with pro-Palestinian activists threatening protests against Harris and Republicans blaming Biden and Harris for the current situation. Harris and Biden met with the U.S. hostage negotiation team on Monday to discuss further steps in resolving the crisis.
In Michigan, where Harris recently held an event, protests over U.S. support for Israel have been prominent, particularly among Arab American and Muslim American communities. This unrest could impact Harrisâ campaign, with some activists calling for votes to third-party candidates.
Trump, meanwhile, is gearing up for a FOX town hall hosted by Sean Hannity, a fall meeting with the Fraternal Order of Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a rally in Wisconsin later this week. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Harris leading Trump 45% to 41%.
Harrisâ campaign is benefiting from a surge in donations and volunteer support, highlighting a positive message focused on America’s future and economic policies aimed at the middle class. In contrast, Trumpâs campaign has been marked by criticism of Harris over issues like food prices and illegal immigration, often overshadowed by disparaging remarks about her intelligence and background.
Harrisâ campaign appears to be outpacing Trump in fundraising, having raised $204 million in July compared to Trumpâs $48 million.