Harris vows to serve ‘all Americans’, disagrees with Biden’s Trump supporters ‘garbage’ remark

"Firstly, I believe he has clarified his comments," Vice President Harris told reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington when questioned about the outgoing president’s remarks, according to AFP.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Democratic candidate Kamala Harris pledged on Wednesday to serve “all Americans” if elected president, as she worked to contain the fallout from a comment by President Joe Biden that risked undermining her message of unity.

“When elected president, I’ll represent all Americans, including those who didn’t vote for me,” the vice president told reporters before departing for a campaign event in North Carolina. This is one of the seven key battleground states that will decide the outcome of the 5 November election.

Her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, is also holding a rally in the state on Wednesday. Harris is spending the campaign’s final week emphasising her respect for dissenting voices and casting former President Trump as a threat to democracy. This message, delivered to a massive rally outside the White House on Tuesday night, was muddied by Biden, who criticised racist remarks made at a Trump rally on Sunday.

Also read | Donald Trump is in love – and not just with himself

According to a White House transcript, Biden stated: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s—his—his demonisation of Latinos is unconscionable.” Trump’s campaign claimed Biden was calling Trump supporters “garbage,” while Biden later clarified he was referring to language used by a comedian at the rally.

“Firstly, I believe he has clarified his comments,” Vice President Harris told reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington when questioned about the outgoing president’s remarks, according to AFP. “But let me be clear: I firmly oppose any criticism aimed at individuals based on their voting choices,” she added.

Harris continued, “I believe my role is to represent all people, whether they support me or not. I will be a president for all Americans, regardless of whether they vote for me.”

Also read | US election just days away, Harris lead over Trump dwindles to a single point

A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Tuesday showed Harris leading Trump 44% to 43% among registered voters nationally, within the margin of error. Other polls show narrow margins in the seven election battleground states. Last month’s hurricane damage has made the North Carolina outcome especially challenging to predict.

Story continues below this ad

On Wednesday, Harris will be campaigning in Raleigh, the state’s rapidly growing capital, while Trump will hold a rally in Rocky Mount. Trump won North Carolina by less than 1.5 percentage points in 2020; the last Democrat to win the state was Barack Obama in 2008, though Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has led since 2017.

Later on Wednesday, Harris will head to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, two additional battleground states. Her rally in Madison, Wisconsin, will feature musical performances, including a set by Mumford & Sons. Trump will also be in Wisconsin for a rally with former NFL quarterback Brett Favre.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram