On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared at a large, boisterous, and joyful rally in Atlanta where she challenged Donald Trump over his refusal to debate.
Since Harris took center stage as the likely Democratic nominee, Trump has repeatedly tried to weasel out of meeting her in a debate. At first, Trump’s excuse was that Harris hadn’t secured the endorsement of Barack Obama, but when that endorsement came only a few hours later, Trump still didn’t agree to face off with Harris. Trump continued to backpedal in interviews this week, demonstrating his obvious fear.
Harris went straight at Trump’s cowardice in Atlanta. “Well, Donald,” she began, before pausing to smile as the crowd cheered. “I do hope you’ll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage. Because, as the saying goes, if you’ve got something to say, say it to my face!”
A capacity crowd estimated at 10,000 joined Harris at the Georgia State Convention Center. Before the event, people reportedly waited hours in 90-degree heat in a line that wrapped around the building.
Once that crowd got inside, the level of noise and enthusiasm was at times overwhelming. Attendees laughed, cheered, and danced to music from Quavo and Megan Thee Stallion; applauded speeches from Georgia politicians including Stacey Abrams, Sen. Raphael Warnock, and Sen. Jon Ossoff; and gave Vice President Harris a raucous welcome. It was all a huge challenge to the MAGA mythology that only Trump can draw large crowds to a political rally.
Harris challenged Trump directly, not just over his refusal to debate, but over the policy that’s at the heart of Trump’s fearful, downbeat campaign.
“Donald Trump does not care about border security, he only cares about himself,” Harris said. “When I am president, I will work to actually solve the problem. As president, I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed, and I will sign it into law and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like.”
Trump is slated to be at the same venue next week along with running mate JD Vance. That should make for some interesting comparisons.
Meanwhile, Harris is scheduled to make a tour of battleground states next week, accompanied by her soon-to-be announced running mate. Stops are planned in at least six states. If all those events are as energized as the rally in Atlanta, it’s going to be an incredible week.
Keep the enthusiasm going and make more incredible rallies possible by giving $10 to Kamala Harris’ campaign today!
