- The Washington Times - Friday, October 18, 2024

Former President Barack Obama and his wife will campaign next week alongside Vice President Kamala Harris at rallies in the swing states of Georgia and Michigan, the Harris campaign announced Friday. 

The rallies, scheduled for Georgia on Thursday and Michigan on Oct. 26, will mark Michelle Obama’s first appearance on the campaign trail in support of Ms. Harris. The former first lady did speak at the Democratic National Convention in August, imploding Democrats to “do something.”

The Obamas are arguably the most popular members of the Democratic Party. 

Mr. Obama did one solo event for Ms. Harris last week in Pittsburgh, where he scolded Black men for not being more supportive of the vice president’s campaign.

“You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses” for not supporting Ms. Harris, he said. “I’ve got a problem with that.”

Mr. Obama has also scheduled solo events in Tucson, Arizona; Las Vegas, Detroit; and Madison, Wisconsin.

Harris campaign officials see the presence of the Obamas as an opportunity to get people out to the polls before Election Day, Nov. 5. The event in Michigan with the former first couple is set for the first day of early voting, which is already underway in Georgia. 

The Harris campaign had already enlisted one former president — Bill  Clinton — to help advocate for her. However, his appearance in Georgia created more headaches for the vice president as some mistook him for President Biden.

Mr. Clinton also suggested the Biden administration’s open border policy led to the death of Laken Riley, a nursing student who was murdered on the University of Georgia’s campus. An illegal immigrant is accused of murdering her, a case the Harris campaign is hoping will go away to deflect attention from her handling of the open southern border.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.

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