Voters are streaming into the bleachers of the gym at West Allis Central High School near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ahead of President Joe Biden’s first campaign rally since leaving office and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee.
On a rainy Tuesday morning, check-in tables outside the venue were still covered by “President Biden”-branded tents used at pro-Biden-Harris events earlier this year.
But inside the theater, the “President Harris” logo was projected onto the screen and upbeat tunes by artists like Lizzo and Stevie Wonder were playing from the speakers.
Many Wisconsin voters eager to see Harris run say they admire and respect Biden, but are excited that Harris may soon be named as the top candidate.
Here are some comments:
Nancy Meylan She said she was “delighted” to see Harris elevated to the party chair, explaining that her experience working for Biden and background as a prosecutor made her ready for this moment. “She has depth. A lot of people don’t give her the credit she deserves,” she said. “I love Biden. He’s done a lot for the country, but age is an issue… I’m the same age as him. I don’t want that responsibility,” the 81-year-old said.
Ferita Daniels Ashley, The Milwaukee high school administrator said she was “very excited” that Harris, a California Democrat, might become the party’s nominee after endorsing her as Biden’s running mate in 2020. “The future depends on this,” she said.
Daniels Ashley, who was wearing a “Chucks and Pearls” shirt often worn by Harris on the campaign trail in 2020, said she has “no regrets” about Biden now being in office. Asked if she was worried there would be a change in the top candidates so late into the election cycle, she said, “I’m not worried at all. We’re fired up. We’re fired up. We’re excited.”
Olivia Jessup Unger 17 year old and her friend Natalie Yauch John F. Kennedy, who turns 18 the day before Election Day, agrees with Charlie XCX that Harris is a “sassy brat.” The pop artist echoed the sentiment in a social media post on Sunday that has gone viral.
“I think she’s an icon,” Jessup Unger said of Harris, adding that he agrees with her on policy issues such as abortion rights and education. “Overall, we’re really excited to see a strong independent woman running in the November election,” he said.
