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Harris to deliver closing argument to Americans on National Mall
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Harris to deliver closing argument to Americans on National Mall

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With the White House in the background, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver her “closing argument” on the National Mall on Tuesday, drawing a contrast with former President Donald Trump in terms of fitness for office.

“America, we know what’s on Donald Trump’s mind. More chaos. More division. And policies that help those at the top and hurt everyone else,” Harris plans to say, according to remarks provided by her campaign. “I offer another way. And I’m asking for your vote.”

According to a senior Harris campaign official, Tuesday’s speech will focus heavily on the “to-do list” she will bring with her to the Oval Office, versus Trump’s “enemies list.” The economy has consistently topped polls this cycle as voters’ top concern, and Harris has emphasized making home ownership and care more affordable while pledging to take on corporate greed and rising prices. Harris will contrast that agenda with Trump’s high-tariff economic policy, which many economists say could cost low- and middle-income families $4,000 a year.

voters, including womenconsistently lists the economy and cost of living as the top voting issue. Since Harris entered the race in late July, the share of voters who say they trust her over Trump on the economy has grown steadily in several polls: An ABC News POLL on Sunday showed Harris ahead of Trump by five points in who is chasing the middle class, while an Associated Press/NORC POLL last week showed that Harris is more trusted by voters than Trump on both jobs and unemployment and housing costs.

While much of the speech will focus on the economy, Harris is also set to address reproductive rights, the topic of Friday’s Texas rally with Beyoncé and an issue on which she has consistently drawn sharp contrast with Trump. She will also talk about protecting democratic norms.

From the beginning of his candidacy, Harris defined himself by a focus on freedom, linking attacks on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights and voting rights to the fight for civil rights in America. In the past week, the campaign has focused heavily on reproductive rights and democracy, trying to change voters who are worried about the impact of a second Trump term. That included a storm in all the swing states with Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheneywho talks about her choice to put country over party and a series of high-profile rallies explicitly focused on the impact of “Trump’s abortion bans” on women’s lives and safety.

The Ellipse, where Harris is scheduled to speak, was the site of Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021, “Stop the Steal” speech, when he addressed supporters after months of refusing to concede the presidential election to incumbent Joe Biden. There Trump encouraged supporters to “come down to the Capitol” because they will never “reduce our country to weakness.” Following Trump’s speech, a group of more than 100 Proud Boys — a far-right, neo-fascist militant group prone to political violence — marched on the Capitol; a crowd grew around them until noon, when the group finally broke into the Capitol, rioting throughout the building, eventually breaking into Senate and House offices as well.

“Donald Trump intends to use the United States military against American citizens who simply disagree with him,” Harris will say, according to prepared remarks. “The people he calls — quote — ‘the enemy within.’ This is not a presidential candidate who is thinking about how to make your life better.”

Harris’ choice to speak from the Ellipse is no coincidence, a visual tie-in with her focus on preserving democracy, as she argues that these issues are intertwined.

Harris and running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, will visit all the battleground states in the remaining week before the election to continue to deliver that message to undecided voters.

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