Harris rallying Philadelphia voters in various locations: ‘No one can sit on the sidelines’

By Darlene Superville, Maryclaire Dale and Chris Megerian, Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA – Kamala Harris said Sunday that “no one can sit on the sidelines” of this year’s presidential election, ending a day of campaigning in Pennsylvania’s largest city, a key battleground state.

“We are focused on the future and the needs of the American people,” Harris said, “unlike Donald Trump, who spends all his time looking in the mirror, focused on himself.”

Speaking at a city recreation center, the Democratic vice president singled out young voters, praising them for their “rightful impatience with change” and told the crowd that “the stakes in this campaign are too high.”

“We cannot wake up the day after the election and regret what we could have done in the next nine days,” Harris said.

At the rally were Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle, two actors who starred in Marvel’s “Avengers” films. Harris reminded the crowd that Pennsylvania’s early voting deadline is Tuesday, asking them to “do it tomorrow if you can.”

Cheering voters in Philadelphia, a traditional Democratic stronghold, is crucial to Harris’ chances of defeating GOP nominee Donald Trump. If turnout here is low, she will have a hard time overcoming Trump’s advantage in rural Pennsylvania.

“Philadelphia is a very important part of our path to victory,” Harris told reporters. “It’s the reason I spend time here. But I’m very optimistic about the enthusiasm.”

Kenny Payne, 62, said Harris would win but “it wouldn’t be close.” A Democratic voter said he was playing golf with a group of Republicans who say they won’t vote for Trump again.

“I think we’ll all be asleep by midnight,” he said outside the recreation center where Harris was speaking.

Patrick Boe, 46, expressed confidence in the city’s enthusiasm for Harris, but admitted his view may be skewed.

“I’m in a bubble,” Boe said.

Randyll Butler, the youth basketball coach who introduced Harris, said the election was in the “fourth quarter.”

“We can’t get tired,” she said. “We cannot become complacent.”

The Democratic coalition relies on voters of color, and Harris’ plan on Sunday reflected that emphasis. She began the day by meeting with the Black congregation at the Church of Christian Compassion, where she stated that the United States “is determined to turn the page on hate and division.”

Harris referred to the story of the apostle Paul, who overcame difficulties in spreading the word of Jesus.

“In difficult times, when we may grow tired of doing good, we must remember the power that works within us, the divine power that transformed Paul’s life, carried him through disaster and sustained him through trials,” Harris said.

W. Lonnie Herndon, the church’s senior pastor, introduced Harris as “the voice of the future” and followed her remarks with a sermon on compassion and how “strong people never put others down, they lift them up.”

“We’re going to get out and vote,” he said as Harris listened from her front-row seat. “And let me be clear. We don’t choose the pastor. We are electing a president who will address a divided United States and unite us.”

Her next stop was Philly Cutz, a barbershop in West Philadelphia. Pennsylvania State Representative Jordan Harris moderated a conversation with Harris and Black men about improving racial representation in education. There was a poster on the wall depicting Barack Obama, the first black president.

“We don’t pay teachers enough,” said Harris, who, if elected, would be the second black president and first woman president. “Student loan debt is a problem.”

Outside the store, people stood on porches and lined the sidewalks, hoping to catch a glimpse of Harris. “White House MVP!” someone shouted.

Harris visited a nearby bookstore, Hakim’s Bookstore, which specializes in African American history.

“It’s beautiful. It’s just beautiful,” she said and asked to see good books for 6- and 8-year-old children, the same age as her nieces.

Harris joked about her weight with Ann Hughes, the mother of Pennsylvania state senator Vincent Hughes.

“They torture me to the bone,” she said.

After leaving the bookstore, Harris went to the Puerto Rican restaurant Freddy and Tony’s, where she thanked the volunteers and told them that “we’re going to win.”

She also met with youth basketball players at the Center. Alan Horowitz’s “Sixth Man.” The coach said that players are “student first, athlete second.” Harris told them to “think of the brain as a muscle, and when you exercise it, it gets stronger.”

Harris tried to focus on abortion rights in the final stages of the campaign, including during appearances Beyonce AND Michelle Obama. In an interview with CBS News In an appearance that aired Sunday, Harris declined to say whether she would support any restrictions on abortion, emphasizing the need to reinstate Roe v. Wade.

“It’s so basic,” Harris said.

The nationwide abortion law was struck down two years ago by the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, which included three justices nominated by Trump being president.

“My first priority is to restore these protections and stop the pain and injustice that is happening across our country,” Harris said.

She also rejected Trump’s claim that if elected, he would not sign a national abortion ban. “He says it all, come on,” Harris said. “Do we really take his word for it?”

Harris i Tim WalzMinnesota’s running mate governor is expected to visit all seven battleground states in the coming days in one last push before the election.

While Harris was in Philadelphia on Sunday, Walz was campaigning in Las Vegas. On Monday, Walz will visit Manitowoc and Waukesha, Wisconsin, before joining Harris at a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where singer Maggie Rogers is scheduled to perform.

Harris will be in the nation’s capital on Tuesday to make what her campaign is calling for her “closing speech” in a speech delivered at the Ellipse, a grassy space near the White House. This is the same place where Trump spoke on January 6, 2021, when the Republican called on his supporters to march on the Capitol.

More campaign stops are planned in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.

Megerian reported from Washington.