Biden, Obama warn of threat
‘Democracy on the ballot’ as Trump also joins poll battle
PHILADELPHIA: President Joe Biden, Democratic superstar Barack Obama and Republican firebrand Donald Trump all converged on Pennsylvania at the weekend to push their parties to the finishing line in a race Mr Biden said marks a “defining” moment for US democracy.
The battle of the serving and two former presidents marked the start of a final crescendo before Tuesday (US time) when Americans will decide who controls Congress during the last two years of Biden’s first term.
Polls put Republicans well ahead in the fight for the House of Representatives and also show them gaining momentum in the Senate races as voters, riled up by culture wars around gay rights and abortion, seek to take out frustration over four-decades-high inflation and rising illegal immigration.
With Pennsylvania one of the handful of swing states that will decide the overall balance of power, both sides brought out their big guns – and the contrasts were dramatic.
Mr Biden and Mr Obama rallied in Philadelphia alongside Senate hopeful John Fetterman and governor candidate Josh Shapiro.
Mr Trump – who was defeated by Mr Biden in 2020 but has spent the interval promoting conspiracy theories and plotting a possible White House comeback – flew to Latrobe to boost Mr Fetterman’s opponent, TV celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, and Mr Shapiro’s far-right opponent Doug Mastriano.
Speaking to thousands in a Philadelphia arena, Mr Biden and the Democratic candidates labelled the Republicans as the party of the wealthy and emphasised their support for trade unions, social security and abortion access.
Voters face “a choice between two vastly different visions of America,” Mr Biden said.
But citing Trump Republicans’ growing support for conspiracy theories, Mr Biden said an even bigger agenda is at stake.
“Democracy is literally on the ballot. This is a defining moment for the nation and we all, we all must speak with one voice,” Mr Biden said.
In a rambling speech, Mr Trump claimed the country is run by “communists” and repeatedly said that his attempts to overturn the 2020 election were justified, before urging Republicans to deliver “a humiliating rebuke”.
“If you want to stop the destruction of our country and save the ‘American Dream,’ then this Tuesday you must vote Republican in a giant red wave,” he said.
Mr Obama, who had also addressed an earlier rally in Pittsburgh, got the loudest cheers of the night in Philadelphia, repeatedly urging supporters to make sure they vote.
“Democracy itself is on the ballot. The stakes are high,” Mr Obama said.