With just over two weeks until Election Day, Jill Biden addressed about 100 supporters, local elected officials, volunteers and union members at the Three Cats Cafe in Clawson, Michigan.
Vice President Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump by 6 percentage points among suburban voters nationwide, according to recent polls. But Harris’ campaign is losing support from groups long considered reliable Democratic voters, especially Hispanic and black voters. The Biden administration’s response to the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza has also divided the Democratic Party, with Harris struggling to win support from Arab American and Muslim voters. In the wake of these losses, the campaign is hoping to narrow the gap by focusing on white, college-educated voters in the suburbs.
Oakland County Executive David Coulter opened the event and spoke to attendees about the choices they face in November. Coulter highlighted the differences between Harris and Trump on the issues that matter most to voters.
“Do we need another step forward?” Coulter said. “What lifts up the middle class, lifts up people like Oakland County, and brings the country together. That’s what we’re looking for. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance… they’re going to raise costs again, They have an extreme agenda that takes away our freedoms, including reproductive freedom, and sets us back.”
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) also spoke at the event. Stevens emphasized Michigan’s role as a battleground state in the upcoming election. In 2016, Trump defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by less than 11,000 votes, but in 2020, Biden won the state by more than 150,000 votes.
“Don’t fall for the gimmick, because it’s about all of our rights,” Stevens said. “Yeah, guys, they’re all looking at us. They’re all looking at Michigan. They’re all coming to town and saying, ‘Which way is the state going?’ Will it happen?’ Well, I had one bet: bright blue waves.”
Anahita Maleknia, a field organizer with the Michigan One campaign and a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said she was drawn to this election because of the potential impact of Trump’s second term as president. He said that he felt that
“As a young woman, like many young women in Michigan and across the country, I feel deeply connected to what’s at stake in this election,” Marecnia said. “In fact, it has become so important to me that I decided to move from my home state of Alabama and take a semester off from my senior year of college to be here with you all today.”
Mareknia also emphasized the importance of women organizing grassroots efforts to help elect Democrats on the November ballot.
“Women have always been the backbone of change in this country, and they have the power to decide this election,” Mareknia said. “But the work doesn’t end here. We need to show this country what strong women can do when they put their all into it, knock on doors, make phone calls, and spread the word to everyone they know. There is.”
In her remarks, Jill Biden detailed Harris’ specific policy proposals to lower prices and protect access to reproductive health care. Harris has been repeatedly criticized for her lack of policy proposals since she entered the race in July. Jill Biden spoke about Harris’ stance on banning price gouging to lower the prices of everyday goods.
“Prices soared during the pandemic, but now businesses are keeping prices high and making record profits, while households are paying more for groceries,” Jill Biden said. . “Donald Trump wants to cut taxes so those same companies make more money, and that’s unacceptable. …[Harris]will fight back against greedy corporations and crack down on price gouging.”
Biden also talked about several of Harris’ other campaign promises, including her support for federal legislation codifying abortion rights and her proposed $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. Biden has turned Harris and Walz into champions of the middle class.
“Kamala Harris shares three ways this can help you and your family,” Biden said. “Lowering the cost of food, making housing more affordable, and protecting our freedoms. These are not radical ideas, but practical ways to make life easier and more fair. As president, Kamala Harris will fight for you.”
Daily News Editor Mary Corey can be reached at mcorey@umich.edu.
