Trump appeals to religion, Harris talks jobs as millions vote early
Harris makes economic pitch in battleground Michigan
Trump courts religious voters in Georgia
Harris says Trump's New York rally fueled division
Updates datelines, adds Trump and Harris quotes in paragraph 6 and Rogers quote in final graph
By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason
ATLANTA/ANN ARBOR, Michigan Oct 28 (Reuters) -Republican Donald Trump on Monday appealed to religious voters in the southern swing state of Georgia as his campaign distanced itself from racist remarks by supporters that could alienate key voter groups.
Millions of Americans have already cast their vote before the Nov. 5 election, which national polls including the latest one from Reuters/Ipsos, and surveys in swing states, show is a close race between Trump and his Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
In Georgia, where in-person early voting ahead of Election Day is expected to total up to 70% of ballots, Trump courted religious voters during a National Faith Advisory Board event.
"I think this is a country that needs religion," Trump said. "They're trying to stymie you, this new administration, this new radical left group of people."
But he faces pressure over his rally in New York on Sunday, where a comedian called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage," prompting a backlash from Latino celebrities and criticism from both Republican and Democratic politicians. The Trump campaign has said the joke did not reflect their views.
Harris said Trump "fans the fuel of hate and division, and that's why people are exhausted with him." Later, Trump rejected Harris' contention that he is a fascist telling thousands at a rally in Atlanta: "I'm not a Nazi. I'm the opposite of a Nazi."
Georgia is one of seven competitive swing states expected to play a decisive role in an election that wraps up in eight days.
At stake in this election is stewardship of the world’s most powerful country. Harris and Trump diverge on support for Ukraine and NATO, tariffs that could trigger trade wars, abortion rights, taxes and basic democratic principles.
Some 46 million Americans have voted already, according to the Election Lab at the University of Florida, including some 2.8 million people in Georgia and 1.9 million people in Michigan, where Harris arrived on Monday.
That trails the roughly 60 million people that had voted early by about this point in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ECONOMY
Harris visited Corning Inc's Hemlock Semiconductor facility to talk to workers and tour the assembly line and talk about the importance of investing in manufacturing jobs.
The company recently received a preliminary investment of up to $325 million via the Chips and Science Act, which a Harris campaign official noted Trump had criticized and Harris helped pass.
"When we can find a way to have meaningful partnerships with the private sector, with industries, but to do the kind of work that is happening here, everybody wins," she said.
Trump has argued his stewardship of the economy was stronger than that of President Joe Biden and Harris, despite major job losses at the end of his term at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Though the U.S. job market has been strong under the Biden-Harris administration and stock markets have hit record highs, persistently elevated prices have hammered consumers on everything from groceries to rent.
Harris has issued policy proposals to bring down prices and help alleviate the country's housing crunch, while also contrasting her leadership approach with Trump, who she said would be focused on getting back at his enemies.
On Monday evening, Harris appeared at a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, that featured a performance by singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers.
"There is nothing more important than this election," said Rogers, one of a number of celebrities who both campaigns have used to appeal to voters, as she warmed up an outdoor crowd in 50°F (10°C) temperatures.
Writing by Costas Pitas; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Michael Perry and Deepa Babington
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
