Obama sounds the charge against Donald Trump, in the service of Kamala Harris

Photo: Matt Freed Associated Press “Kamala Harris is ready to do the job,” Barack Obama assured in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Maggy Donaldson – Agence France-Presse in Pittsburgh

Published yesterday at 8:36 p.m. Updated yesterday at 10:34 p.m.

• United States

Barack Obama used all his oratory skills on Thursday to sound the charge against Donald Trump, and deliver a plea for Democrat Kamala Harris, less than a month before the American presidential election.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (northeast), the icon of the American left sharply warned voters about the prospect of a “close election”.

In an America still scarred by post-COVID inflation, “there are a lot of Americans who are struggling. […] So I understand why people want change,” he agreed.

“What I can’t understand is how anyone would believe that Donald Trump is going to shake things up in a way that’s good for you,” the former president said in this cradle of American steel that is one of a handful of key states up for election on November 5.

Election lies, anti-immigrant diatribes, threats to health care, increased tariffs that threaten to raise prices for consumers: Mr. Obama delivered a detailed indictment of the Republican billionaire, in front of a crowd that sometimes booed Mr. Trump.

“Don’t boo! Vote!” Obama said, touting Harris’s “plan” to cut taxes for the middle class, help first-time homebuyers and subsidize small business startups.

“Kamala Harris is ready to do the job,” he insisted.

“We don’t need four more years of arrogance, bungling, bluster and division,” he said. “America is ready to turn the page.” »

Message for his black “brothers”

Mr. Obama had already presented Kamala Harris as the heir apparent with the slogan “Yes She Can” at the Democratic convention this summer. But after the excitement caused by Joe Biden’s impromptu replacement, the vice president must now go the distance.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

On Wednesday, an opinion poll conducted by Quinnipiac University noted Donald Trump’s gains in three strategic swing states: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Polls have also shown for weeks that some African-Americans are more tempted by the Republican tribune than in 2020.

In this context, Mr. Obama stopped in a Pittsburgh neighborhood before his rally, to warn his “brothers” hesitant to rally behind Ms. Harris.

“You’re putting forward all sorts of reasons and excuses,” he snapped. “I have a problem with that. It makes me think you don’t like the idea of ​​having a woman as president.”

At his rally, he called on men in general not to confuse “bullying and putting people down” with “a sign of strength.”

After his appearance in Pittsburgh, the first black president of the United States is expected to engage in fundraising efforts, record television and telephone ads, and travel to the six other key states for the final stretch of the election.

According to several media reports, Ms. Harris is also expected to soon involve former President Bill Clinton in her campaign, starting next weekend.

Read also

• Donald Trump definitively refuses a second debate
• Why the strength of the American economy does not overcome the pessimism of voters ?

Trump praises his protectionism

For his part, Donald Trump led a protectionist offensive on Thursday in Detroit, the capital of the automobile industry in Michigan (north).

He denounced the fact that the United States had allowed foreign companies “to invade and rape our country.”

“I want German car manufacturers to become American car manufacturers,” he said before the Economic Club of Detroit.

“They send us their cars like we're a bunch of idiots. BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, millions and millions and millions. We’re not going to get screwed anymore, okay ? Now they’re going to have to play by our rules,” added the man who had led an ultra-protectionist economic policy during his presidency.

The 78-year-old tribune also continues to argue about the management of recent hurricanes, falsely accusing the government of not helping Republican territories: after the deadly storm Helene, Milton made landfall in Florida on Wednesday evening.

At a rally in Arizona on Thursday, the vice president explained that she had participated in a remote meeting with the White House to coordinate the response to Milton.

“I've been speaking with local leaders, Republicans and Democrats, to let them know that we're going to be there with them as they recover and rebuild,” she said.

The Democrat also regretted that her rival definitively ruled out organizing a second presidential debate with her on Wednesday evening.

“I think it's not doing voters any favors,” she insisted, also seeing it as “a sign of weakness.”