US presidential election 2024: ‘Take our lives seriously,’ says Michelle Obama as she gathers Kamala Harris

US elections 2024: Michelle Obama called on men to support Kamala Harris in her campaign to become the first female president, warning at a rally in Michigan that women’s lives would be at risk if Donald Trump returns to power.

Also read: Live updates US elections 2024: ‘Take our lives seriously,’ says Michelle Obama during rally in Michigan

As reported by AP, Michelle Obama characterized the attacks on abortion rights as a harbinger of harmful restrictions on women’s health care.

Obama warned that while some men may consider voting for Trump out of frustration over slow progress, “your anger does not exist in a vacuum.”

“If we don’t get this election done right, your wife, your daughter, your mother, we as women are going to become collateral damage to your anger,” Obama said. “So are you as men willing to look into the eyes of the women and children you love and tell them that you supported this attack on our security?”

The rally in Kalamazoo marked Michelle Obama’s first campaign appearance since her speech at the Democratic National Convention last summer. Her comments were intense and sincere in their support for Harris, the report said.

“She has shown in every way that she is ready,” the former first lady said. “The real question is: are we as a country ready for this moment?”

Obama added: “Don’t buy into the lies that we don’t know who Kamala is or what she stands for. This is someone who understands all of you.”

Although Obama has usually been a reluctant campaigner, she expressed no reservations on Saturday and mixed political commentary with personal reflections in her speech. She shared her concerns about the country and expressed confusion about why the presidential race remains competitive.

“I lay awake at night wondering, ‘What the hell is going on?’” she said.

In an emotional tone, Obama addressed the challenges women face in understanding and caring for their bodies, from menstrual cycles to menopause. She also highlighted the dangers of childbirth, highlighting how a split-second decision can be crucial to the lives of both mother and baby.

“I ask all of you from the core of my being to take our lives seriously,” Obama pleaded.

After Obama, Harris took the stage and assured the crowd that she would prioritize their interests, contrasting herself with Trump, whom she accused of being purely self-interested.

“There is a longing in our country for a president who sees the people, not just looks in the mirror all the time, but sees the people, who understands you and who will fight for you,” she said.

Also read: US election 2024: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tied at 48% in latest poll

After the meeting, Harris went to Trak Houz Bar & Grill with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where they had a locally brewed beer.

“I want to have what she has,” Harris said.

“We are looking at a health care crisis in America that affects people of every background and gender,” Harris told reporters before visiting the doctor’s office.

On Friday, Harris joined Beyoncé in Houston and campaigned with former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta on Thursday. This level of celebrity support far exceeds what Trump, the Republican candidate, has been able to muster this year. However, there is no guarantee it will help Harris in the tight race for the White House, as Hillary Clinton also suffered defeat in 2016 despite energizing her audience with musical performances and prominent allies. Trump rejected Harris’ attempts to use star power for her campaign.

“Kamala is at a dance with Beyoncé,” the former president said Friday in Traverse City, Michigan. Trump held a rally in the Detroit suburb of Novi on Saturday ahead of a later event in State College, Pennsylvania.

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Saturday marked the first day of early in-person voting across Michigan, with more than 1.4 million ballots already submitted, accounting for 20% of registered voters. During Clinton’s campaign against Trump, Michelle Obama motivated Democrats with the slogan: “when they go low, we go high.”

But this year she took a sharper approach at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. She accused Trump of “doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually improve people’s lives.”

While Harris was with Obama in Michigan, President Joe Biden visited the Laborers’ International Union of North America in Pittsburgh. He said Harris once walked a picket line with the United Auto Workers — “she has a spine like a ramrod” — while Trump has undermined organized labor, AP reported.

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“He sees unions as an obstacle to the accumulation of wealth for individuals,” Biden said. “It is in the interest of the labor movement to defeat Donald Trump more than any other race you have been in.”

Biden’s remarks to the predominantly male audience referenced the gender gap that has been a consistent feature of this year’s presidential race.

Biden said of Trump: “I’ll just say it straight: he’s a loser as a man.”