Former President Bill Clinton has been enlisted by Kamala Harris' presidential campaign to rally support in key states just 22 days before Election Day. Clinton recently spoke at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, and is set to headline a bus tour through eastern North Carolina this week.
Both Harris and former President Trump have made recent visits to North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Harris held a rally at Eastern Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., while Clinton emphasized the importance of unity and repairing divisions during his speech at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Clinton's visit to Albany, a city with a rich civil rights history, aimed to engage rural voters, a demographic that has traditionally leaned Republican in past elections. The former president's presence is part of the Harris-Walz campaign's strategy to appeal to both rural and Black voters.
While Clinton is recognized for his popularity in southern Black communities, there are questions about his ability to inspire younger Black voters who may not have a direct memory of his presidency. Democrats are hopeful that Clinton's influence can help drive voter turnout, particularly among Black voters, in pivotal states like Georgia.
Georgia, a state that President Biden won by a narrow margin in 2020, is crucial in this year's presidential race. Turnout among Black voters could be decisive in securing the state's 16 electoral votes, as seen in Biden's historic victory there last year.
Clinton's history of campaigning in rural areas, dating back to his time as governor of Arkansas, underscores his appeal to voters outside of urban centers. The Harris campaign's strategic use of Clinton's influence reflects a broader effort to mobilize diverse voter demographics in the lead-up to the election.
As the campaign intensifies in the final weeks, both Democrats and Republicans are deploying high-profile figures like Clinton and Trump to energize their respective voter bases and secure crucial swing states.
