President Joe Biden stressed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Pennsylvania over the holiday weekend.
Biden and Harris appeared together at a rally in Pittsburgh on Monday. The incumbent president spoke before the Democratic presidential nominee, declaring Harris “a true friend” and the only “rational choice.”
“She has a backbone like a ramrod,” said Biden, per The New York Post. “She has the moral compass of a saint.”
“This woman knows what she’s doing,” he added. “Folks, I promise you, if you elect Kamala Harris president, it will be the best decision you will have ever made.”
Biden also seized the opportunity to discuss his presidential legacy and his support for unions and working Americans. He mentioned his appearance at the United Auto Workers picket line — a first for any American president — in September of 2023 and his administration's investments in infrastructure.
“Wall Street didn’t build America; unions built America and unions built the middle class,” said the Democrat.
Biden vowed to do “everything [he] can to help” Harris from “the sidelines” during the remainder of the election.
The event marked the former running mates’ first joint campaign appearance since Biden ended his bid for reelection on July 21. It was also the first public address from Biden since his two-week vacation following his appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
During her remarks, Harris stressed the importance of early voting. Pennsylvania voters can begin casting their ballots on Sept. 16 – the earliest start date in the nation. Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota will follow on Sept. 20.
Pennsylvania is one of several swing states that could decide the fate of the 2024 presidential election. President Barack Obama won the state in 2012. Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 with roughly 44,000 votes. Biden won in 2020 with about 80,000 votes.
While Harris has gained support in the swing states over recent weeks, “her improvement in Pennsylvania by an average of 0.6 points across polls was notably less than her improvement of between 1.2 points and 2.2 points in the other six states,” according to a poll from ABC News.
At least $110 million of campaign funding has been spent in Pennsylvania since July 22. Prior to his withdrawal from the race, Biden’s campaign had spent $42 million in the state.
Harris distanced her campaign from reports that she leads former President Donald Trump in some polls during her Labor Day speech.
“We know this is going to be a tight race until the very end,” she said, per NBC News. “Let’s not pay too much attention to those polls.”
Harris is expected to face Trump in Philadelphia during a televised debate on Sept. 10.
