US Vice President Kamala Harris launched her first official campaign ad on Thursday, making a bold statement with a striking image of former President Donald Trump’s mugshot. The nearly one-and-a-half-minute video, set to Beyoncé’s song “Freedom,” presents Harris as a hopeful and progressive alternative to her Republican rival.
I’m Kamala Harris, and I’m running for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/6qAM32btjj
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 25, 2024
The ad begins with scenes of Harris smiling at a podium, accompanied by a voiceover in which she asks, “In this election, we each face a question. What kind of country do we want to live in?” She draws a stark contrast between her vision and that of Trump, stating, “There are some people who think we should be a country of chaos. Of fear. Of hate.”
Harris’s emergence as the successor to President Joe Biden, 81, as the Democratic presidential candidate in the November 5 election has revitalized a previously stagnant race. Recent polls show her closing the gap with former President Donald Trump. The campaign video concludes with the message, “Where no one is above the law,” highlighting headlines about Trump’s legal troubles.
As part of her campaign launch, Harris is scheduled to appear on the Season 9 finale of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” where she will encourage viewers to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election, according to USA Today. In a preview clip, she emphasizes, “Each day, we are seeing our rights and freedoms under attack,” urging the LGBTQ+ community and all voters to make their voices heard.
Kamala’s chose to begin her campaign with an appearance on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. 🙄
The upside down sign at the end is perfect.
These people are insane. pic.twitter.com/1TKdaWcDvB
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) July 25, 2024
Harris’s campaign has gained significant momentum following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek re-election. Reports indicate that her campaign raised over $126 million within 36 hours of her announcement, and more than 100,000 people have signed up to volunteer. The energy surrounding her campaign has been described as “electric.”
In her efforts to solidify her position as the leading Democratic candidate, Harris is focusing on key issues such as reproductive rights and healthcare access. Her ad and public appearances reflect a strategic effort to engage voters and counter Trump’s influence in the upcoming election. On Thursday, she took her campaign to the largest US teachers’ union, the American Federation of Teachers, in Houston, where she emphasized economic policy and workers’ rights.
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Addressing a crowd of about 3,500 people, Harris discussed her plans for affordable healthcare and child care while criticizing Republicans for blocking gun control measures in the wake of school shootings. “We are in a fight for our most fundamental freedoms. And to this room of leaders, I say: Bring it on,” she declared.
