Michelle Obama Is Begging People to Vote for Kamala

The Harris campaign is struggling. It’s so bad, in fact, that Harris has resorted to repeated efforts to rile up former President Donald Trump – whether that’s mocking the size of his (large) crowds or calling him “weak” for refusing a third debate.

And now, Harris has pulled out the big guns – a 6ft towering giant called Michelle Obama.

At a glance:

  • Barack and Michelle Obama have positioned Kamala Harris as their political heir, aligning her campaign with their shared values and hopeful vision of America.
  • David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, praised their speeches, highlighting their ability to portray Donald Trump as out of step with American values.
  • While Trump has struggled to land effective attacks on Harris, the race remains close, with polls showing Harris narrowly ahead in key swing states.

Barack and Michelle Obama have thrown their full support behind Kamala Harris, presenting her as the heir to their political movement. This strong endorsement came at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where both Obamas delivered rousing speeches that drew comparisons between Harris and their own journey in American politics. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod explained in an interview with The Guardian how the Obamas have framed Harris as the natural successor to their legacy, emphasizing values of hope, community, and hard work.

Barack Obama’s address underscored the similarities between his own ascent and Harris’s rise, referencing how the convention has historically elevated individuals like him, with “funny names” who believed in the American dream. Michelle Obama echoed her husband’s sentiment, invoking the “hope and change” mantra of her husband’s campaigns, declaring, “Something wonderfully magical is in the air.”

These speeches were part of a broader strategy to paint Harris as the embodiment of American values, in contrast to Donald Trump, who the Obamas argue is out of step with the country. Axelrod noted that both Obamas successfully flipped the narrative, positioning Trump as “alien” to the values held by most Americans. “They made Trump seem disconnected from the ideals of community and selflessness,” Axelrod said.

Axelrod, a key figure in the Obama campaigns of 2008 and 2012, remarked that there is no doubt the Obamas see Harris as their political heir. He described how they view Harris as someone who carries forward the torch of their movement—representing the America they envisioned, with an emphasis on community values, hard work, and a belief in a hopeful future.

In Chicago, the mood has been optimistic, with concerns about possible chaos or divisions within the party dissipating. Unlike the infamous 1968 Democratic National Convention, this year’s event was marked by unity and optimism. The polls have reflected this newfound enthusiasm, with Harris pulling ahead of Donald Trump in several swing states.

However, Axelrod warned that while Harris has had a strong month, the race remains tight. “This is going to be a close race,” Axelrod predicted, adding that while Harris has built momentum, the campaign still has critical hurdles ahead, including upcoming debates and the final weeks of the election cycle.

As the Obamas solidify Harris’s position as a champion of American values, Trump has been struggling to launch effective counterattacks. His attempts to question Harris’s identity and intelligence, along with derogatory nicknames like “Laffin’ Kamala” and “Lyin’ Kamala,” have not gained much traction. Axelrod noted that Trump’s campaign seems out of step with the candidate himself, remarking that Trump “throws everything against the wall,” but is unable to stick to a coherent message.

Axelrod suggested that Trump’s best chance might be to cast Harris as “Biden-lite,” attempting to blame her for any discontent surrounding the Biden administration. However, Axelrod believes it will be difficult for Trump to convince voters that Harris is responsible for Biden’s policies, especially since most Americans see her more as a vice president rather than the driving force behind Biden’s administration.

Despite the Obamas’ efforts and Harris’s current momentum, Axelrod cautioned that the race remains competitive, with Trump still having the potential to win. “This is still a very close race,” Axelrod said. “The motion is in Harris’s direction, but anything can happen in the final stretch.”

Michelle Obama’s Efforts to Energize the Democratic Base

As Harris’s campaign loses momentum to Trump, Michelle Obama has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to mobilize voters. Through her organization When We All Vote, Michelle has spearheaded efforts to get out the vote in key swing states, where experts believe the election will be decided. The organization has planned a series of events under the “Party at the Polls” initiative, aiming to energize liberal voters and ensure high voter turnout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nlsPkxoyfY

Michelle, who typically avoids direct political campaigning, has been at the forefront of these efforts, hosting events featuring well-known Democratic supporters. A major focus of these events is the When We All Vote concert in Atlanta, scheduled for October 26, which will feature performances by Cardi B, Jill Scott, and Earth, Wind & Fire. To attract voters, the organization is holding a sweepstakes, offering tickets and flights to the event for registered voters.

These efforts are part of a larger strategy to engage voters in swing states like Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. In Arizona, actor Mark Ruffalo is set to lead a 5K walk to encourage voter turnout, while events like “Drag Out the Vote” shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas will feature alums from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Block parties are also planned in Philadelphia as part of the final push leading up to Election Day on November 5.

It won’t be enough. We all see that, right?