Former President Barrack Obama was set to rally in Pittsburgh Thursday night, kicking off a blitz through battleground states as Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign deploys its strongest political asset headed into the final stretch.
With early voting already underway in critical battleground Pennsylvania, campaign officials told ABC News Obama will focus on getting out the vote, inspiring people, and setting up the stakes of the presidential election.
He’s also expected to make a push for the reelection of Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey.
While voters at the Obama rally will be fired up for Harris, and the campaign is hoping to carry the torch from the political coalition that Obama started, it was a starkly different picture on the streets of Pittsburgh.
Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event for Georgia Democrats, Oct. 28, 2022, in College Park, Ga.
Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
Several voters said they haven’t registered to vote and don’t plan to vote this November.
Cameron Lane, a 26-year-old from Pittsburgh, said he’s never voted before and that there’s virtually nothing that would persuade him to go to the polls this time.
“I don’t like the options,” Lane said.
Former President Barack Obama hugs Vice President Kamala Harris during an event to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House, April 5, 2022.
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Nikki Marsh said she’s going to vote, but is not even telling her family or friends who she’s voting for because of how politically divided they are.
Marsh said politics is a “very sensitive subject in the community” and doesn’t believe at this point that anything is going to sway voters to change their minds, regardless of any big-name endorsement. For instance, she didn’t believe Harris endorsements from political figures like Obama or Liz Cheney would move people one way or another.
Ivan Gil-Silva, who owns a restaurant in Pittsburgh, said he’s voting for the first time this year and he’s voting for former President Donald Trump.
“I have a business, and I’ve been struggling heavily for the past four years. It’s been awful,” Gil-Silva said. “My neighborhood’s become absolutely dangerous. I’ve never seen this many homeless people in my life. In 20 years I’ve been in Pittsburgh. I’ve never seen it be like this.”
While Gil-Silva says he isn’t a fan of Trump as a person, he says at least “everything was peaceful” when he was in office. Gil-Silva called Harris a “joke,” saying she has no “substance.”
But Harris supporters at the rally site said they remained “hopeful.”
“Cautiously optimistic. I’m very excited for her campaign,” Sam Carew-Jones said. “I’m very excited for her to win. It’s going to be close. I’m holding my breath.”
ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart and Fritz Farrow contributed to this report.
Former President Barack Obama is set to launch campaign efforts for Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania. Obama, who remains a highly popular figure within the Democratic Party, is expected to lend his star power and political expertise to help boost Harris’s chances in the crucial swing state.
Pennsylvania is a critical battleground state in the upcoming presidential election, with its 20 electoral votes being a key prize for both the Democratic and Republican candidates. In 2016, President Donald Trump narrowly won the state by less than 1 percentage point, making it a top target for Democrats looking to flip it back to their column in 2020.
Obama’s decision to campaign for Harris in Pennsylvania underscores the importance of the state in the upcoming election. His popularity among Democratic voters, particularly in urban and suburban areas, could help energize the party’s base and drive turnout in key areas. Additionally, Obama’s presence on the campaign trail could help Harris connect with voters who may still be undecided or skeptical about her candidacy.
The former president’s involvement in the campaign also signals a broader effort by the Democratic Party to unify and mobilize its base ahead of the election. With polls showing a tight race between Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, every vote will be crucial in determining the outcome of the election.
Obama’s campaign efforts for Harris in Pennsylvania are likely to focus on key issues such as healthcare, the economy, racial justice, and climate change. These are all issues that resonate with voters in the state and could help sway undecided voters in Harris’s favor.
Overall, Obama’s decision to campaign for Harris in Pennsylvania is a significant development in the 2020 election. His involvement could help boost Harris’s chances in a key battleground state and energize Democratic voters across the state. With just weeks to go until Election Day, the race for Pennsylvania’s electoral votes is heating up, and Obama’s support could make a crucial difference in determining the outcome.
