Barak Obama, John Legend and Bruce Springsteen Stump for Harris in Philly
More than 10,000 people converged on the Liacourus Center for a combination concert and campaign rally, featuring Grammy Award-winning artists John Legend and Bruce Springsteen.
PHILADELPHIA – Former President Barak Obama delivered a fiery stump speech in support of Vice President Kamala Harris here at Temple University’s Liacourus Center on Monday, October 28, 2024, to inspire Pennsylvania’s Democratic base with just more than a week left before Election Day.
More than 10,000 people converged on the arena for a combination concert and campaign rally, featuring Grammy Award-winning artists John Legend and Bruce Springsteen.
Clad in dark pants and a light-colored shirt with his top button, unbuttoned, the 44th president clearly laid out the differences between Democratic candidate Harris and her running mate Tim Walz and her Republican opponent former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance.
“She will see you. She will hear you,” Obama said of Harris. “She knows what it’s like to struggle and to work hard, and to be on the outside looking in.”
He continued, “If you elect Kamala and Tim. They won’t be focused on their problems; they’ll be focused on your problems.”
In contrast, Obama characterized Trump as a “78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down that golden escalator nine years ago.”
The Democratic morale officer-in-chief described Trump as self-centered and uncaring about the people he claims to desire to serve.
“His ego. His money. His status,” Obama said. “He is not thinking about you. Donald Trump sees power as nothing more than a means to his ends. He wants the middle class to pay the price for another huge tax cut that would mostly help him and his country club buddies.”
As Obama hit points that resonated with the audience, many began to boo to show their dislike of Trump and his policies. But Obama encouraged them to put that energy to more constructive use.
“Nobody can hear your boos. But they can hear your vote,” Obama said. Throughout the remainder of the night, when the crowd seemed eager to boo, they chanted vote instead.
Mark Tyler
Obama laid out stark contrasts between the two candidates on abortion, healthcare, the economy and immigration. He also apparently took issue with recent disparaging comments that have been made at Trump rallies, although the Trump has attempted to distance himself from perceived racist comments belittling Puerto Rican Americans and others.
“If you're an African American or Latino, if you're from Puerto Rico and you see somebody whose values seem to indicate that you're not part of their equation. How do you think it's OK?” Obama asked rhetorically. “How, how can you tell yourself it's OK as long as our side wins?”
Obama also addressed misunderstandings about Trump’s perceived effectiveness that he has personally heard on the campaign trail. For example, Trump took credit for having a strong economy before the pandemic.
“I had spent the previous eight years cleaning up the mess the Republicans had left me,” Obama said. “Financial crisis, great recession, the auto industry flat on its back. And after those eight years, I then handed over 75 straight months of job growth to Donald Trump. And all he did was give a tax cut to people who didn't need it, drove up the deficit in the process.”
Obama also has heard that Trump gave out checks during COVID.
“Congress sent you a check,” Obama said. “Democrats and Republicans in the midst of a crisis, pass a law so that people could absorb not working during COVID.”
He continued, “And by the way, Joe Biden also sent you a check during the pandemic, just like I gave people financial relief during the great recession. The difference is Joe Biden and I didn't put our names on the check because it wasn't about feeding our egos or advancing our politics,” Obama said. “It was about helping people out during a tough time. So don't be fooled.”
Raymond Tyler
Obama also reminded the audience that Trump incites division by promoting an “us versus them” narrative, “between the quote real Americans who support him. Of course, and the outsiders who don't, the enemy is within.”
Doors opened at 3 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event that kept North Philadelphia buzzing for blocks along Broad Street. Many said that despite Trump’s inadequacy, Harris would be the best president no matter any opponent the Republicans could have submitted.
“Aside from how awful Trump is, she is the best person for the job,” said Kate Sheehan Roach, of Philadelphia.
Ericka Keith, her neighbor April Smith and Keith’s daughter Kira Boakye, all of Conshohocken, came out to support Harris.
“She is for working people,” Keith said.
Moques Bowe, of Philadelphia, DeLane Adams and Vinny Addeo, both of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, all agreed.
“She cares for the underdog,” said Bowe. “Trump can’t relate because he’s never been underprivileged.”
Addeo said Harris already has shown support for unions. “She supports labor issues and issues affecting working families,” Addeo said. “Joe Biden was the most pro-union president in US history, and we know she will keep it going. She’s already supporting us, not only by her words, but by her actions.”
Before Obama spoke, John Legend performed, A Change is Gonna Come, Wake Up Everybody and Ordinary People. Then Legend voiced his support for the Harris/Walz ticket.
Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend performs for a packed house at the Liacourus Center. Photo Credit: Mark Tyler
“She’s committed to fighting for our freedom,” said Legend.
Springsteen too compared and contrasted the candidates. “She is running to be the 47th President of the United States,” Springsteen said of Harris. “Donald Trump is running to be an American tyrant.”
Springsteen said the stakes in this election are higher than some people realize. “Now, I understand folks having different opinions about things, but this election is about a group of folks who want to fundamentally undermine the American way of life,” Springsteen said. “Donald Trump does not understand this country, it’s history or what it means to be deeply American.”
Brahim Tabb, of Philadelphia, said he believes Harris is about to make history, or rather “herstory.” “I’m hopeful that we’re able to move forward because I think a new chapter needs to be started, a new page needs to be turned.”
Lavalle Warren, of North Philadelphia, agreed. “It is not because she is a Black female. She has proven that she can get the job done,” said Warren. “She’s standing on business. I’m excited for her to get to the White House.”
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