"By every measure, she has demonstrated that she's ready," the former first lady told a rapt audience. "The real question is, as a country, are we ready for this moment?"
With the race virtually deadlocked, Obama, a reluctant political campaigner, said she was in the mid-western battleground heeding her own advice to "do something" to support Harris's bid to be the country's first female president.
In raw and strikingly personal terms, she asked why Harris was being held to a "higher standard" than her opponent. Trump's handling of the Covid pandemic and his failed attempt to cling to power after losing the 2020 election should alone be disqualifying, Obama argued. But now the people who worked closest with him when he was president - his former advisers and cabinet secretaries - had stepped forward with warnings that he should not be allowed to return to power.
"I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Donald Trump's gross incompetence while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn," Obama said.
The event in Kalamazoo, which Obama referred to as "Kamala-zoo", was her first appearance on the campaign trail this election, after delivering a rousing speech at the Democratic national convention in August. To a predominantly female audience, Obama said voters should not choose Harris because she's a woman but "because Kamala Harris is a grownup - and Lord knows we need a grownup in the White House".
When Obama finished, Beyoncé's Freedom thundered from the loudspeakers and Harris emerged on stage. The women - the first black first lady and the first black vice-president - embraced, and the crowd erupted.
With 10 days left, Harris pledged to be a president who listened to the American people, unlike her opponent, whom she accused of "looking in the mirror all the time".
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Are the players at Old Trafford good enough for a new face to inspire future title challenges?
Rrik ten Hag is culled while players paid millions to realise Manchester United's on-field product remain, posting heartfelt \"thank you boss\" farewells on social media while still collecting their lucrative pay-packets.
Israeli strike on flats in northern Gaza kills at least 93
Scores of Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a crowded block of flats in the town of Beit Lahiya as Israel pressed on with its assault on northern Gaza.
Amorim on his way United ready to pay £8.3m for Sporting head coach
Amorim led Sporting from despair but testing waters await
The 39-year-old built a legacy in Lisbon on consistency and charisma but his hiring would be a major gamble. Can he transfer his watchwords to the Theatre of Dreams?
Flekken's shootout stop spares Bees' blushes
Brentford reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Sheffield Wednesday 5-4 on penalties.
Clinton shows England have generational midfield talent on their hands
It is debatable precisely how much can be gleaned from this workout against a team ranked 50th in the world who lost 5-0 to Denmark on Friday but, if England can take one certainty from this victory, it is this: in Grace Clinton, they have found a generational midfielder who they can build the team around for at least the next four major tournaments.
Wiegman's shuffled pack stumble to sloppy victory
There were more questions to be asked than answers provided in England's 2-1 win over South Africa, but, to a certain extent, friendlies are when they can afford to be far from their best.
England take a punt on Bethell for NZ tour
Warwickshire's Jacob Bethell appears to be England's latest punt, with the 21-year-old batter named in the 16-man Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
New Test keeper Cox will not don gloves in West Indies white-ball series
The new England Test wicketkeeper Jordan Cox will not take the gloves against West Indies after being told to \"concentrate on his batting\" for the white-ball series.
Head coach opts for continuity but wants a fast and furious England to face the All Blacks
Far-reaching implications, pivotal decisions, an expectant nation. But let's not dwell on Rachel Reeves's mega budget and instead examine the intricacies of Steve Borthwick's first autumnal England team selection.
