Michelle Obama advocates for Harris in Michigan, with Democrats observing hopeful indications
One attendee expressed, “I have a bigger girl crush on Michelle Obama than I do on Kamala Harris.”
TroibNews 
KALAMAZOO, Michigan — The Democrats' strategic move paid off as Michelle Obama made her return to the campaign trail for the first time since the Democratic National Convention, delivering a direct plea to men — one of Vice President Kamala Harris’ weaker voting demographics — as well as other crucial constituencies that the party is eager to mobilize.
Introducing Harris at a rally in Kalamazoo, Obama expressed her concerns about the proximity of the race against former President Donald Trump, stating, “too close for my liking,” and emphasized her worry that “too many of us are still confused and buying into the lies and distortions from people who do not have our best interest at heart.”
A highly popular surrogate for the Democratic Party, Obama challenged the notion that voters still lack sufficient knowledge about Harris, asserting that the vice president is being held to a “higher standard” than Trump. She offered a strong critique of the former president, highlighting his shortcomings in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, after “the American people fired him from a job that was too big for him to begin with.” Additionally, she presented one of the party’s most direct appeals for abortion rights, targeting men specifically.
“But let’s not just sit around and complain,” Obama urged. “Let’s do something.”
As Obama rallied Democrats to take action, there are emerging signs of optimism for the party in Michigan. Recent public polls show signs of shifting in Harris’ favor, although the competition remains tight. Early voting returns also reflect positive developments for Democrats, as nearly 1.5 million ballots had already been cast by Saturday, according to state data, with encouraging trends in participation from certain demographics.
“I’m nervous” but “hopeful,” expressed Sheri Millard, a nearby Portage Democrat. “I do believe she has a better chance than Joe Biden did.”
On the first day of early voting statewide, Harris and Trump held rallies in opposite parts of southern Michigan. While Trump was in Novi, a Detroit suburb, Harris, alongside Obama, aimed to increase support in Kalamazoo, a county that favored Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden by a wider margin in 2020.
“She is an inspiration,” Harris remarked about Obama after they shared an embrace on stage, eliciting cheers from the audience. “And she motivates us to get to work, especially when the stakes are high.”
Democrats are encouraged by the voting statistics in Michigan, as early ballot counts have exceeded expectations, bucking predictions of a decline in post-pandemic early voting. In Wayne County, home to Detroit, where Democrats aim to capture significant votes to succeed, turnout is approaching 20 percent, according to state data. Additionally, women and Black voters are casting early ballots at a higher proportion than seen in 2020.
The current data is “suggesting Democrats could have at least a slight enthusiasm advantage” compared to other battleground states, where early returns appear less favorable for the party, according to Tom Bonier, a Democratic strategist and CEO of TargetSmart.
“In all these other battleground states, Democrats are almost certain to head into Election Day needing bigger turnout from voters of color and younger voters,” Bonier explained. If Michigan's numbers hold steady, “this could end up being the state where Republicans are going to need the bigger push on Election Day.”
Polling also reveals promising signs for Harris. A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday indicated that Harris leads Trump 49 percent to 46 percent among likely voters in the state — a notable shift from an earlier poll that had Trump ahead 50 percent to 47 percent. Similarly, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed Harris with a 3-point advantage over Trump in Michigan.
However, vulnerabilities remain for Harris, with Republicans asserting they are gaining traction among key voter groups in the state, including Black, Arab American, and Muslim voters, as well as union members. At a rally in Traverse City, Trump urged Michiganders, “have to” support him due to his promises for the auto industry. His rally in Novi showcased attendees sporting T-shirts displaying support for Trump within the United Auto Workers community.
“If we win Michigan,” Trump asserted, “we win the whole deal.”
Nonetheless, in Kalamazoo, Democrats hoped that Obama would energize voters, particularly within the Black community, to support Harris. While former President Barack Obama has been actively campaigning for Harris in recent weeks, including a notable appearance with Eminem in Detroit, this was Michelle Obama's first campaign stop since the DNC in Chicago in August.
“It’s a historical moment, to have the support of the Obamas. They are so loved. It’s meaningful to a lot of people,” remarked Tonya Harris, a Democrat from Saginaw. “The energy feels like we’re going to have victory.”
As attendees eagerly awaited Harris and Obama, many expressed their excitement, dancing and singing along to lively music. “I have a bigger girl crush on Michelle Obama than I do on Kamala Harris,” shared Mary Nielsen, a Democrat from Kalamazoo.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
Introducing Harris at a rally in Kalamazoo, Obama expressed her concerns about the proximity of the race against former President Donald Trump, stating, “too close for my liking,” and emphasized her worry that “too many of us are still confused and buying into the lies and distortions from people who do not have our best interest at heart.”
A highly popular surrogate for the Democratic Party, Obama challenged the notion that voters still lack sufficient knowledge about Harris, asserting that the vice president is being held to a “higher standard” than Trump. She offered a strong critique of the former president, highlighting his shortcomings in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, after “the American people fired him from a job that was too big for him to begin with.” Additionally, she presented one of the party’s most direct appeals for abortion rights, targeting men specifically.
“But let’s not just sit around and complain,” Obama urged. “Let’s do something.”
As Obama rallied Democrats to take action, there are emerging signs of optimism for the party in Michigan. Recent public polls show signs of shifting in Harris’ favor, although the competition remains tight. Early voting returns also reflect positive developments for Democrats, as nearly 1.5 million ballots had already been cast by Saturday, according to state data, with encouraging trends in participation from certain demographics.
“I’m nervous” but “hopeful,” expressed Sheri Millard, a nearby Portage Democrat. “I do believe she has a better chance than Joe Biden did.”
On the first day of early voting statewide, Harris and Trump held rallies in opposite parts of southern Michigan. While Trump was in Novi, a Detroit suburb, Harris, alongside Obama, aimed to increase support in Kalamazoo, a county that favored Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden by a wider margin in 2020.
“She is an inspiration,” Harris remarked about Obama after they shared an embrace on stage, eliciting cheers from the audience. “And she motivates us to get to work, especially when the stakes are high.”
Democrats are encouraged by the voting statistics in Michigan, as early ballot counts have exceeded expectations, bucking predictions of a decline in post-pandemic early voting. In Wayne County, home to Detroit, where Democrats aim to capture significant votes to succeed, turnout is approaching 20 percent, according to state data. Additionally, women and Black voters are casting early ballots at a higher proportion than seen in 2020.
The current data is “suggesting Democrats could have at least a slight enthusiasm advantage” compared to other battleground states, where early returns appear less favorable for the party, according to Tom Bonier, a Democratic strategist and CEO of TargetSmart.
“In all these other battleground states, Democrats are almost certain to head into Election Day needing bigger turnout from voters of color and younger voters,” Bonier explained. If Michigan's numbers hold steady, “this could end up being the state where Republicans are going to need the bigger push on Election Day.”
Polling also reveals promising signs for Harris. A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday indicated that Harris leads Trump 49 percent to 46 percent among likely voters in the state — a notable shift from an earlier poll that had Trump ahead 50 percent to 47 percent. Similarly, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed Harris with a 3-point advantage over Trump in Michigan.
However, vulnerabilities remain for Harris, with Republicans asserting they are gaining traction among key voter groups in the state, including Black, Arab American, and Muslim voters, as well as union members. At a rally in Traverse City, Trump urged Michiganders, “have to” support him due to his promises for the auto industry. His rally in Novi showcased attendees sporting T-shirts displaying support for Trump within the United Auto Workers community.
“If we win Michigan,” Trump asserted, “we win the whole deal.”
Nonetheless, in Kalamazoo, Democrats hoped that Obama would energize voters, particularly within the Black community, to support Harris. While former President Barack Obama has been actively campaigning for Harris in recent weeks, including a notable appearance with Eminem in Detroit, this was Michelle Obama's first campaign stop since the DNC in Chicago in August.
“It’s a historical moment, to have the support of the Obamas. They are so loved. It’s meaningful to a lot of people,” remarked Tonya Harris, a Democrat from Saginaw. “The energy feels like we’re going to have victory.”
As attendees eagerly awaited Harris and Obama, many expressed their excitement, dancing and singing along to lively music. “I have a bigger girl crush on Michelle Obama than I do on Kamala Harris,” shared Mary Nielsen, a Democrat from Kalamazoo.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
