Harris slams GOP on manufacturing as she and Trump hunt for votes on the campaign’s final weekend
ATLANTA– ATLANTA (AP) — Kamala Harris on Saturday criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for suggesting that Republicans could cut government subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing as she and Republican Donald Trump squared off one last weekend quest to bring together all possible voices in the battleground states that will determine the next president.
“It is my plan and intention to continue to invest in American manufacturing,” the Democratic nominee told reporters in Milwaukee, adding that Trump had lost manufacturing jobs during his presidency.
Harris spoke before heading to campaign rallies in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina. Trump attended two rallies in North Carolina and one in Salem, Virginia, a non-battleground state, after his late-night rally in Milwaukee.
“We are on the cusp of the four greatest years in American history,” Trump said in remarks released during his campaign before his first event in Gastonia, North Carolina.
President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race this summer when it became clear he could not win, did his part for Democrats and made one final campaign stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
Harris’ campaign released its closing ad pitch to the American people, a two-minute spot that aired Sunday during NFL games broadcast by CBS and FOX, including the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions. The ad shows some of Harris’ interactions with people during the campaign and features her looking directly into the camera and speaking to voters.
“Now I ask for your vote, because as president I will get up every day and fight for the American people,” she says at the end.
Campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon projected confidence during a conference call with reporters on Saturday as both parties entered the final sprint to get out the vote. “If you can hear the joy in my voice, it’s because we’re on GOTV weekend,” she said.
Johnson, R-La., later walked back his comments about cutting semiconductor subsidies, indicating he only meant Republicans would do so “streamline” the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. But Harris said Johnson only issued the follow-up statement because “their agenda is unpopular.”
The legislation has pumped billions of dollars into computer chip production in the United States, supporting union jobs in battleground states like Michigan.
The vice presidential candidates and major supporters were also in attendance.
Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, and actress Eva Longoria took part in a voting event in Las Vegas before the Minnesota governor flies to Arizona for events in Flagstaff and Tucson. GOP vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance was scheduled to be in Las Vegas and Scottsdale, Arizona, for events with Donald Trump Jr.. First lady Jill Biden campaigned in Georgia and Hillary Clinton appeared in Tampa, Florida, to support Harris’ candidacy.
Trump and Harris’ planes parked together at the Milwaukee airport overnight and the candidates spent the night in hotels just three blocks apart. Before Harris had even left Milwaukee, supporters lined up for her rally in Atlanta.
Marzella and Darrell Pittman, who heard about the rally in Atlanta on Friday, canceled their weekend plans and drove four hours from Alabama to attend.
Marzella thinks Harris will win, but Darrell is nervous because many of the young black men in his life support Trump and are hesitant to vote for a woman for president.
“It’s tight, and on the other hand, a lot of our people believe in that side, just like we believe in Kamala,” he said.
Until the election, “we have nothing else in mind other than voting and talking to everyone,” Marzella Pittman said.
There is “so much at stake” and “there is no way we can let this slip,” Darrell Pittman said.
Carol Hicks, who drives around with a stack of Harris signs in her back seat, said she was optimistic because she has “die-hard Republican colleagues” who voted for Harris because they couldn’t bear to vote for Trump. Some people in her life are indecisive because they don’t want to vote for a woman, but she tells them, “Only weak men can’t stand a strong woman.”
Trump supporters were equally passionate about their candidate.
Nick Chakur, 68, a retired police officer from Center Line, Michigan, who attended a rally in nearby Warren on Friday evening, said he was cautiously optimistic about Trump’s chances but said it would depend on voter turnout.
“Just like in sports, you have to keep going until the whistle stops,” he said.
Stephanie Tanzini, 77, wore a stunning American flag denim baseball cap at the same event.
Tanzini said she plans to wait for the results “24/7” on election night — enjoying chips, dip and cake as the results roll in — with a bowl of marshmallows on hand to celebrate.
“Because Trump is going to win this by a landslide,” she said.
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Colvin reported from Gastonia, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian in Washington, Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta and Isabella Volmert in Warren, Michigan, contributed to this report.