Harris delivers final pitch to voters at star-studded rally in Philadelphia
Vice President Harris on Monday night delivered her final pitch to voters in Philadelphia, leaning into the image of herself as an underdog as her fast-tracked campaign against former President Trump reaches its conclusion.
“Philadelphia, you ready to do this? Are we ready to vote? Are we ready to win?” Harris asked the crowd. “It’s good to be back in the city of brotherly love where the foundation of our democracy was forged. And here at these famous steps, a tribute to those who start as the underdog and climb to victory.”
The election eve rally took place at the Philadelphia Museum of the Arts on the city’s famous “Rocky Steps.” The vice president’s campaign has leaned into her image as an underdog against Trump since she became the Democratic nominee.
“America, we started this campaign 107 days ago and from the beginning, ours has not been a fight against something. It has been a fight for something,” she said.
“Tonight, then we finish as we started — with optimism, with energy, with joy,” she added.
As of Monday night, Trump and Harris are tied in Decision Desk HQ/The Hill’s aggregate polling, both polling nationally at 48.4 percent.
Harris didn’t say Trump’s name during her final remarks and she has avoided using his name in rallies for the past few days on her last stops to critical battleground states. She alluded to Trump on Monday night, however, saying that “instead of stewing over an enemies list, I will spend every day on your behalf working on my to do list.”
“I’ve spent my life fighting for people who have been hurt and counted out, but who never stop believing that in our country, anything is possible. I have lived the promise of America and today, I see the promise of America is everyone who is here. In all of you. We are the promise of America,” she said.
The crowd, which was made up of 30,000 people, held up red and blue USA signs. Pennsylvania carries the prize of 19 electoral votes and is considered the most critical battleground state to win.
“One more day, just one more day in the most consequential election of our lifetime and the momentum is on our side,” Harris said.
“The race ain’t over yet and we must finish strong and this could be... one of the closest races in history. Every single vote matters so let me ask you, who here has a plan to vote?” she said, to yells from the crowd.
Harris finished her remarks just minutes before midnight on Election Day.
Before her speech, Oprah Winfrey, joined on stage by 10 first-time voters, issued a stark warning before rapper Will.i.am sang his new single, “YES SHE CAN.”
“If you are watching or hearing me right now and you haven’t already, you have got to vote,” Oprah said. “We don’t get to sit this one out. If we don’t show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again.”
Harris’s husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, spoke before Oprah.
“Over these 15 weeks, America has gotten to know, admire and trust the Kamala that I love,” he said. “You’ve seen her step up. That’s what she does, wherever she’s needed, however she’s needed.”
Lady Gaga sang “God Bless America” and then introduced Emhoff.
“Tomorrow, women will be a part of making this decision,” Lady Gaga said. “Now, Pennsylvania, its your turn. The country is depending on you. So tomorrow, let’s make sure all your voices are heard.”
In Pennsylvania, Trump has a 0.8 percentage point lead over Harris, leading with 48.8 percent of the vote compared to her 48 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hill’s aggregate polling.
Harris spent the day on Monday traversing Pennsylvania, traveling to Allenton and Pittsburgh for rallies earlier in the day. She also knocked on doors and visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in Reading, Pa.