Biden and Harris return to campaign trail together in Pennsylvania

On the occasion of American Labor Day, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris participated together on Monday in a campaign event in Pennsylvania, a “swing” state likely to swing the presidential election.

The Democratic duo met with union leaders in Pittsburgh during a day focused on defending the middle and working class. They then stood side by side in front of some 600 supporters.

“We have made a lot of progress and Kamala and I are going to build on that progress,” Mr. Biden said. “I will stay out of the way, but I will do whatever I can to help,” he added.

This was their first official campaign event since Biden's shock withdrawal from the race for the White House on July 21, and after a first joint trip in mid-August as part of their official duties.

Joe Biden, who still enjoys a certain amount of sympathy among the white working-class electorate, presented his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as his worthy successor.

“I promise you that if you elect Kamala Harris as president, it will be the best decision you will ever make,” he said.

“Joe Biden has been one of the presidents of the United States who has most transformed the country and that comes from his heart,” Kamala stressed for her part Harris.

Traveling earlier Monday to Detroit, Michigan, another key state, the Democratic candidate warned against a new term for her rival Donald Trump.

The former president “intends to take us back, especially to a time when workers did not have the freedom to organize,” she assured, surrounded by representatives of teachers' and automobile unions.

“We will not go back!” the crowd shouted in return, repeating one of her campaign slogans.

Donald Trump accused her, also targeting Joe Biden, of having “undone” all the “major successes” he boasts about in terms of the economy and employment during his term (2017-2021), in a publication on Truth Social.

Kamala Harris, Democratic candidate for the White House, campaigning in Pittsburgh, September 2, 2024 © AFP – Brendan SMIALOWSKI

The Republican candidate, also courting the working-class vote — which has gradually shifted to the right in recent years — had not planned a campaign event on Monday. Donald Trump will travel to Wisconsin this week, another key state, where he will talk about the economy.

– “Rational choice” –

“There's only one person who's giving you a rational choice this time, and that's Kamala Harris,” Biden said to cheers from the crowd in Pennsylvania.

In this key state, the issue of hydraulic fracturing, a method of extracting hydrocarbons denounced by environmentalists but notably used in Pennsylvania, where the sector is a major provider of jobs and income, raises many concerns.

Kamala Harris indicated Thursday, in her first interview as a candidate, that she “would not ban” this technique against which she had said she was opposed in the past.

US President Joe Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic candidate for the White House, campaigning in Pittsburgh, September 2, 2024 © AFP – Brendan SMIALOWSKI

“We can grow and develop a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking,” she said assured.

Two months before an election that promises to be very close, the 59-year-old Democrat and her 78-year-old Republican rival are increasing their trips to these strategic states, where the election will be decided.

After her recent entry into the race, which sparked a wave of enthusiasm, the Democrat must take up the challenge of charting her own course, without denying the action led by the president whom she has supported since January 2021.

Joe Biden has only appeared at her side on rare occasions in recent weeks but has assured that he wants to do his best to help her.

“I promise to be the best volunteer that the Harris and Walz camp has ever seen,” he declared in August at the Democratic convention in Chicago, before sharing a long hug with Kamala Harris.

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