Election Race Tightens Unexpectedly as It Reveals The one Person Americans Are voting For
Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
According to a report by Reuters on Friday, July 26, 2024, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has announced plans to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. This comes as Vice President Kamala Harris receives endorsements from former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Trump shared his intentions on his Truth Social platform, stating, “I WILL BE GOING BACK TO BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY.” However, he did not provide specific details about the date or location of the event.
Meanwhile, Harris has quickly gained support from the Democratic party after President Joe Biden chose her to succeed him. Recent public opinion polls suggest she is beginning to close the gap with Trump.
A Wall Street Journal poll released on Friday showed Trump leading with 49% support compared to Harris’s 47%, with a three-point margin of error. This marks a significant change from earlier this month when Trump held a more substantial lead over Biden, 48% to 42%.
The endorsement from the Obamas is expected to boost Harris’s campaign. Barack Obama, the first Black U.S. president, and Michelle Obama remain highly popular figures within the Democratic Party, even eight years after leaving office.
In a phone call shared in an online video by the campaign, Obama told Harris, “We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office.”
Harris, visibly pleased, responded, “Thank you both. It means so much. And we’re gonna have some fun with this too.”
A Reuters/Ipsos poll from earlier this month revealed that 55% of Americans, including 94% of Democrats, view Michelle Obama favourably. This approval rating surpasses Harris’s 37% nationally and 81% within the party.
The Obama endorsement could help increase support and fundraising for Harris’s campaign. It also suggests that Obama is likely to actively campaign for Harris in the coming months.
In other news, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the former president’s Florida resort on Friday. This meeting took place a day after Netanyahu had separate meetings with Biden and Harris in Washington.
Trump greeted Netanyahu warmly and told reporters they have a “very good relationship,” dismissing any suggestions of tension between them.
Harris took a firmer stance than Biden in her public remarks on Thursday, urging Netanyahu to help reach a ceasefire in Gaza. In a televised statement after their talks, Harris said, “It is time for this war to end,” and expressed concern about the conflict’s impact on Palestinian civilians.
Trump criticised Harris’s remarks, calling them “disrespectful” on Friday.
The conflict in Gaza began on 7 October when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza has led to more than 39,000 deaths, as reported by Gazan health authorities, and has devastated much of the enclave.
The Biden administration has faced criticism from some Democrats for not putting more pressure on Netanyahu to protect Palestinian civilians. Trump has also called for a swift end to the war, telling Fox News on Thursday that Israel was getting “decimated with this publicity.”
As the presidential race heats up, both Trump and Harris are focusing on key issues and seeking support from influential figures. Trump’s planned return to Butler, Pennsylvania, highlights his commitment to areas where he has faced challenges in the past.
