Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris expressed her support for keeping US Steel under domestic ownership during a Monday event, aligning with President Joe Biden to appeal to working-class voters in Pennsylvania, a state also targeted by her political opponent. The Labour Day event, marking the beginning of the final push towards the November 5 election, was the first joint campaign rally for Harris and Biden since she was officially nominated as the Democratic candidate.
Harris utilized campaign stops in Michigan and Pennsylvania, critical battleground states, to secure the vital labor vote. In a crowded union hall in Pittsburgh, she echoed Biden's concerns about US Steel Corp potentially being acquired by Japan's Nippon Steel. 'US Steel is a historic American company, and it is essential for our nation to maintain strong American steel companies,' Harris stated at the rally. 'US Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated.'
Biden pledged his support, stating that Harris would build upon the advancements made during his administration for union workers and that he would do everything possible to assist. 'I'll be on the sidelines,' he remarked. The Harris campaign has mirrored Biden's approach in appealing to union workers throughout his presidency, aiming to prevent them from being swayed to vote for former Republican president Donald Trump, who also has appeal among blue-collar workers.
At the Pittsburgh rally, participant Todd Hamer, 48, expressed confidence in Biden's labor support aiding Harris. 'She’s new,' Hamer noted. 'We’re all still learning (about her), but she does have a deep history and I think she’s going to continue to stand by labor leaders and unions to help support unions and their cause.'
Trump, currently in a close race with Harris, did not appear on the campaign trail on Monday. His campaign has scheduled several events for later in the week, including stops in North Carolina and Wisconsin. The Harris campaign seized the opportunity to mock Trump's absence, questioning his priorities on social media. A Trump campaign aide indicated that Harris' decision to campaign with Biden provided the Trump team with another chance to politically link the Democrats.
Trump has publicly stated his intention to block the US Steel merger, a move that has caused concern among some unionized workers, a significant voting bloc in Pennsylvania and other key swing states. In response to Harris' criticism, US Steel affirmed its commitment to the deal with Nippon Steel, aiming to finalize the transaction by the end of the year pending regulatory approvals. Nippon Steel, in emailed comments, highlighted the acquisition's potential to revitalize the American steel industry, benefiting local workers, communities, and national security.
Both Harris and Trump are anticipated to intensify their voter outreach in the coming weeks, particularly in swing states that could be pivotal in the election. Harris hopes to sustain the momentum generated by her candidacy among Democrats, who are contributing record amounts of money and volunteering in large numbers. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Harris leading Trump nationally 45 percent to 41 percent.
The ongoing developments in the Middle East, particularly regarding negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, have overshadowed the campaign. Over the weekend, Israel discovered the bodies of six hostages in a Gaza tunnel, allegedly killed by Palestinian group Hamas, drawing criticism of the Biden administration's ceasefire strategy. Biden expressed dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to secure a hostage deal. He later mentioned that he would 'eventually' speak with Netanyahu but did not specify when.
The Gaza conflict has had a significant impact on the US election, with pro-Palestinian activists planning to increase protests against Harris' campaign. Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, opposing US support for Israel's war in Gaza, gathered in New York City on Monday.
