Harris bashes Trump over 'fear and hate' in debut rally

She attacks Republican rival’s weaknesses, promises action to expand abortion access

US Vice-President Kamala Harris assailed Donald Trump on July 23 at her first campaign rally since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate, while a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll showed her taking a marginal lead over her Republican rival.

In a 17-minute speech, she aggressively went after Trump’s vulnerabilities, comparing her background as a former prosecutor to his record as a convicted felon.

Ms Harris ticked through a list of liberal priorities, saying that if elected, she would act to expand abortion access, make it easier for workers to join unions, and address gun violence, drawing a sharp contrast with Trump, the Republican nominee for president in the Nov 5 election.

“Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” she told a cheering crowd of several thousand at West Allis Central High School in a Milwaukee suburb in Wisconsin, a battleground state with a pivotal role in deciding the election outcome. “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate?”

The raucous rally was a notable contrast to the smaller, more subdued events Mr Biden held, underscoring Democrats’ hope that Ms Harris, 59, can revive what had been a flagging campaign under Mr Biden, 81.

The audience danced and waved Ms Harris signs, while chants of “Ka-ma-la!” broke out when she took the stage.