Michelle Obama’s voting organization is trying to reinvigorate the Democratic base for Kamala Harris, just days after husband Barack started campaigning for vice president.
The former first lady, who often stays out of public campaigns, is trying to enthuse liberals with concerts and other events featuring high-profile Democratic supporters through the When We All Vote’s Party at the Polls program.
Each event takes place in one of the seven key swing states that most experts believe will decide the race between Harris and Donald Trump.
Much of When We All Vote’s work culminates in a two-day concert in Atlanta on October 26 headlined by Cardi B, Jill Scott and Earth, Wind and Fire.
The group is handing out tickets and flights to the show through a lottery that registered voters can participate in.
Michelle Obama’s voting organization is trying to revive the Democratic base for Kamala Harris, just days after her husband Barack started campaigning for vice president
The former first lady is trying to excite liberals about Harris with concerts and other events with well-known Democratic supporters through the program When We All Vote’s Party at the Polls.
Actor Mark Ruffalo will top a 5K walk in Arizona, while RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni will host “Drag Out the Vote” shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Party at the Polls also has several block parties planned in Philadelphia between now and the Nov. 5 election.
First Lady Obama founded the organization in 2018, and since leaving the White House, the organization has commandeered most of her political attention, aside from occasional speeches in favor of Democrats. They also organized events in 2020 and 2022.
“At When We All Vote, we believe that voting should be joyful and that using our voice at the ballot box is truly something to celebrate,” the organization’s executive director Beth Lynk said in a statement.
The group boasts a long list of famous liberals as co-chairs, including Steph Curry, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Megan Rapinoe and Kerry Washington.
‘The elections do not start on election day, but end on election day. Through our Parties at Polls, we encourage and celebrate early voting,” said Lynk.
Michelle’s husband, former President Barack Obama, made a somewhat controversial return to the campaign late last week.
During a speech at the University of Pittsburgh, he portrayed Trump as out of touch and without the choice to change the country. He called him a “bumbling” billionaire “who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down.” his golden escalator nine years ago.”
Much of When We All Vote’s work culminates in a two-night concert in Atlanta on October 26 headlined by Cardi B.
He also made a crude joke at President Donald Trump at his first solo campaign event for Kamala Harris, which backfired spectacularly.
During his speech at the University of Pittsburgh on Thursday evening, Obama hinted that he believed Trump, 78, was wearing adult diapers.
Obama, 63, recalled that he couldn’t believe how expensive diapers were as he got older. “Do you think Donald Trump has ever changed a diaper?” he mused.
“From himself!” an audience member shouted back.
“I almost said that, but I decided I shouldn’t say it,” Obama said, laughing.
Social media was not amused, with at least one X-user making a tongue-in-cheek reference to the president’s former running mate: “Obama would know about changing diapers.” He does that for Joe.”
Obama also sought to support Harris in areas where polls show her weak — including the economy and immigration.
The Democratic ex-president noted how Trump gets credit for a good economy during his term.
Actor Mark Ruffalo will complete a 5K walk in Arizona to drum up support for Harris in the swing state
Michelle’s husband, former President Barack Obama, made a somewhat controversial return to the campaign late last week
“Yeah, it was pretty good because it was my economy,” Obama boasted. “It wasn’t something he did.”
“I spent eight years cleaning up the mess the Republicans left me,” Obama added.
Earlier Thursday, the ex-president accused black male voters who refused to support Kamala Harris of sexism and demanded they align with the Democratic candidate.
The former president was at a campaign office in Pittsburgh to thank volunteers but instead gave them a lecture and said he wanted to “speak some truths.”
Obama said he was responding to reports because there was less enthusiasm for Harris than for his own candidacy, and that some black men were considering sitting out the election.
“We haven’t seen the same kind of energy and turnout in all areas of our neighborhoods and communities that we saw when I was running. Now I would also say that this seems to be more pronounced among the brothers,” Obama said.
He continued, “Some of it makes me think – and I’m speaking directly to men – some of it makes me think that you just don’t like the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming. with other alternatives and other reasons for doing so.’
‘You come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses. I have a problem with that.’
Media reports have suggested that black male voters are a weak spot for Harris, after Joe Biden won 80% in 2020, compared to 82% for Hillary Clinton in 2015.
That has been reported a quarter of young black men support Trumpwhich would further drop Harris.