Harris Bashes Trump Over "Fear and Hate" In Debut Rally

US Vice President Kamala Harris assailed Donald Trump on Tuesday at her first campaign rally since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate.

In a 17-minute speech, Harris aggressively went after Donald Trump's vulnerabilities, comparing her background as a former prosecutor to his record as a convicted felon. I Photo: Kamala Harris Facebook

A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll showed her taking a marginal lead over her Republican rival at 44% to 42%, Jarrett Renshaw and Jason Lange reported for Reuters.

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

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.

This drew a sharp contrast with Trump, the GOP nominee for president in the November 5 election, Nandita Bose, Doina Chiacu, and Stephanie Kelly reported for Reuters.

"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 Biden held, underscoring Democrats' hope that Harris, 59, can revive what had been a flagging campaign under Biden, 81.

The audience danced and waved Harris signs, while chants of "Ka-ma-la!" broke out when she took the stage, Bianca Flowers, Susan Heavey, and Daniel Trotta also reported for Reuters.