Madison: Kamala Harris has called for Americans to “stop pointing fingers at each other” as she works to move beyond recent remarks by President Joe Biden referring to Donald Trump’s supporters and the term “garbage". The Democratic nominee emphasised unity and sought to redirect the conversation to her Republican opponent as the election enters its final stretch.

“This election gives us a chance to move past a decade of Donald Trump’s divisive tactics, aimed at keeping us afraid and apart," Harris said during campaign stops in key battleground states Wednesday, which included Raleigh, North Carolina; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Madison, Wisconsin.

Harris' comments built on her Tuesday speech in Washington, which her team dubbed the campaign’s “closing argument". She highlighted a commitment to finding common ground rather than engaging in partisan attacks.

“I’m not here to score political points,” the Vice President said. “I’m here to make progress.”

In Raleigh, 35-year-old Liz Kazal expressed “cautious optimism” about the election as she awaited Harris’ arrival on stage. Kazal, who volunteers weekly for the campaign, has been making phone calls, canvassing with her toddler, and helping fundraise.

“You hope for the best and plan for the worst,” she said.

Following Biden’s recent remarks, the White House quickly clarified that his “garbage” comment referred to rhetoric from Trump allies, not his supporters. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden “does not view Trump supporters or anyone who supports Trump as garbage".

The controversy arose when, during a Tuesday campaign call hosted by the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino, Biden criticised a recent Madison Square Garden rally where a comedian had referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Biden remarked, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonisation of Latinos is unconscionable and un-American. It’s totally against everything we stand for.”

Before boarding Air Force Two en route to Raleigh, Harris told reporters that she “disagrees with any criticism of people based on who they vote for” and reiterated, “I will represent all Americans, including those who don’t vote for me.”

In distancing herself from Biden’s remarks, Harris hopes to avoid a comparison with past controversies, such as Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” comment, which Republicans quickly referenced. Trump criticised Biden’s comments at his own rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, saying, “Look how they’ve treated you. They’ve treated you like garbage. The truth is, they’ve treated our whole country like garbage.” He added, “Without question, my supporters are far higher quality than Crooked Joe’s.”

During another rally stop in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump posed for photos in a garbage truck decorated with American flags and campaign signs. “How do you like my garbage truck?” he joked to reporters, then added, “Joe Biden should be ashamed of himself, if he knows what he’s even doing.”

Travis Waters, 54, who attended Harris' rally in Harrisburg, brushed off the uproar over Biden’s comments, saying, “Donald Trump has said so much about so many other groups, and I don’t hear the media showing the same outrage.”

Trump and his supporters, in turn, avoided mention of his history with controversial remarks. He has previously labeled the United States a “garbage can for the world” and called political opponents “the enemy within.” Trump has also repeatedly insulted Harris, calling her “stupid” and “lazy as hell” and has questioned her mental state.

Trump has refused to apologize for the recent comment on Puerto Rico, stating that “somebody said some bad things” but asserting that he “can’t imagine it’s a big deal".

Political attack lines sometimes backfire, as seen with Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, whose earlier remarks calling Democrats “a bunch of childless cat ladies” resurfaced, sparking a wave of support for Harris from voters who took the term as a badge of honor, similar to how Trump’s supporters once adopted the label “deplorables.”

Protests also arose at Harris’ rallies, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators voicing opposition to her support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. During an interruption in Madison, Harris acknowledged the crowd, saying, “We all want the war in Gaza to end and get the hostages out,” before adding, “Everyone has a right to be heard, but right now I’m speaking,” drawing cheers from the audience as other protesters displayed a banner reading “No Funding for War Crimes".

With the election just days away, Harris supporters remain both nervous and hopeful. Holly Meyer, 65, attended the Madison rally and commented, “But I’m also optimistic.”

“People just seem to be energised by Vice President Harris.”

Agencies