President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris teamed up on the campaign trail in Pittsburgh on Monday to argue that their administration’s record on jobs would boost workers if Harris is elected to the White House.
It was a Labor Day display on the battlefield, traditionally the political kickoff to the fall campaign season. But it was a tradition that President Donald Trump, who in an unusual move did not hit the trail either Sunday or Monday, sidestepped.
Trump plans several stops later in the week in North Carolina and Wisconsin, as well as a town hall in Pennsylvania and a visit to the Economic Club of New York. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
In a rare move for a president, Biden spoke in front of Harris at the rally, a sign that he is giving him room to shine as the two bid to help Democrats retain power.
Biden personally promised to help Harris “from the outside.” After saying Harris had a “ramrod” spine and “sacred” morals, Biden took Harris by the hand and the two embraced. Chants of “thank you, Joe” began as Biden began his speech.
Harris rallied the crowd by saying that Americans should thank unions for the five-day work week, sick leave, paid family leave and vacation time.
Amid calls for Trump’s arrest, Harris interrupted, saying, “The courts will deal with it, and we’ll deal with it in November.”
Harris urged Pennsylvanians to vote early, reminding them that early voting is not far away. Residents of the state will be able to start voting from September 16.
Harris also downplayed any pundits on his campaign, ahead of Trump.
“We know it will be a tight race until the end,” he said. “Let’s not pay too much attention to these requests.”
Recent surveys have shown After Biden left the top of the ticket, Harris took over. Harris has an advantage over Trump, but the numbers remain within the margin of error.
Biden, who has long presented himself as the most pro-union president, spent part of his speech focusing on his contributions to labor. He hit on some old standbys, including saying, “Wall Street didn’t build America; unions built America, and unions built the middle class.” He reminded the crowd that he was the first president to cross the picket line.
He also praised construction and investment during his administration, including in Pennsylvania $17 billion in infrastructure investments. Biden hit Trump for promising to improve infrastructure but failing to deliver.
“He didn’t build a damn thing—nothing!” Biden said of Trump.
Biden said Harris was moving the ball forward to defend workers’ rights: “I’ll be on the sidelines. But I will do my best to help.”
Jake Traylor contributed.