Obama rallies thousands in Pittsburgh for Harris, encourages early voting

Former President Barack Obama kicked off a swing state tour rallying thousands of Kamala Harris supporters at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House on Thursday. Obama emphasized the importance of early voting. 

Former President Barack Obama launched a swing state tour in Pittsburgh on Thursday in front of over 4,500 Kamala Harris supporters at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House. 

Obama, who is still one of the most popular Democrats even though he left the White House close to 8 years ago, will travel the country and campaign for Harris in critical battleground states over the next 27 days. 

His goal is to help Democrats win the White House, keep the US Senate and flip the US House.

“Kamala Harris is ready to do the job. This is a leader who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a change,” Obama said regarding Harris’ leadership. 

“Somebody who was raised in the middle class, worked a summer job at McDonalds while she earned a degree, who believed in the values that built this country. Somebody who has served with distinction in every office that she has ever held.” 

During his speech, Obama emphasized the importance of electing a Harris-Walz ticket and pointed out why the country needs Harris’ leadership over the next four years.

Obama has been friends with Harris for more than 20 years, dating back to when the former president first ran for US Senate in 2006 and she was an active supporter during his 2008 run for president. 

“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been. That’s who Kamala is and in the White House, she will have an outstanding partner in Gov. Tim Walz,” Obama said about the Harris-Walz ticket. 

“Tim is a veteran, he’s a teacher, he’s a coach, he’s a hunter. He’s been a great governor working with Democrats and Republicans to get stuff done.”  

The former president also highlighted the importance of early voting. Pennsylvania voters are able to vote by mail, and in some counties throughout the commonwealth, voters can take advantage of in-person early voting at satellite offices in their counties, where they can apply for and fill out an mail-in ballot. 

“Here in Pennsylvania, there are three ways to vote,” Obama said. “We can vote early in person at the county election office or at a satellite office. We can also vote by mail…and of course you can vote at your polling place on Election Day, November 5th.” 

Lauren Williams, president of the Allegheny County Young Democrats, believes Obama’s visit to the Steel City will motivate voters locally.

“I think it’s really great that [Obama] is in a town like Pittsburgh, which is such a battleground city that is full of everyday folks just trying to make it,” Williams told The Keystone. 

“He was such a world-changing president in his two terms and he definitely did what a lot of people are trying to do, which is really reach out to the community and understand what the community is looking for in a next president.”