Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (at podium) with state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-4th District) speak at a press conference in Philadelphia Sept, 9, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by John Cole)
PHILADELPHIA— One day before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump debate here for the first — and perhaps only — time this cycle, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joined Pennsylvania Democrats on Monday to rally support for the Democratic ticket.
“I’m here in Pennsylvania because the facts tell us that the decision that is going to be made here in the state of Pennsylvania is going to have a very direct impact on the people of my state as well,” Moore said on Monday during a press conference at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Moore has ties to the Philadelphia area: he graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy and College in the Philadelphia suburbs . He was joined at the event by state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-4th District).
Moore drew comparisons between the Harris economic agenda and Trump and Project 2025- — a conservative policy plan written by the Heritage Foundation that would revamp the federal government. He was optimistic about Harris’ chances in Tuesday’s debate.
“She’ll be successful. And I don’t think there is, or should be any doubt about that, but more importantly, it’s not just about her winning a debate, and frankly, it’s not the fact that she’s going to win a debate or election because the opponent is weak. It’s because her policies are strong,” he said.
Dean also expressed optimism in Harris and emphasized the importance of the debate on Tuesday.
“She’s a skilled storyteller, she’s a skilled prosecutor, and my, there is a case to be prosecuted here for the future of America,” Dean said of Harris.
Trump campaign spokesperson Kush Desai criticized Moore in a statement, pointing to recent controversy over the Maryland governor’s erroneous claim from 20 years ago that he received a Bronze Star – in fact he was recommended for it but did not receive it. Moore has apologized for not correcting recent interviewers who mentioned the medal.
“The reality that he can’t lie or spin his way out of, however, is that the last thing that Pennsylvanians – or Marylanders, for that matter – need is another four years of rising prices and a raging border crisis bringing crime and drugs into our communities under Kamala Harris,” Desai said.
Following President Joe Biden’s poor showing in a June debate with Trump, he exited the race and endorsed Harris.
A CBS News poll released Sunday showed Harris and Trump tied at 50% each with likely voters in the Keystone State.
Moore told reporters Monday that undecided voters are not the only ones that Harris will reach during Tuesday evening’s debate.
“It’s the voters who are skeptical of the larger political system,” Moore said. “It’s the voters who we need to come out, because in many ways, this election is not going to be turned on how people vote. This election will be determined by people who choose to vote and people who choose not to.”
In response to a reporter’s question, Moore said he didn’t think Harris would spend time fact-checking Trump, but that no one should be surprised “when the former president says something that’s incendiary or something that is off putting, or misogynistic or racist.”
Tuesday is currently the only debate that Harris and Trump have agreed to, although both candidates have signaled that they would be interested in participating in another debate.
While Moore highlighted the economy during his remarks, Street focused on the Harris ticket’s views on gun laws and Dean underscored the importance of reproductive rights in the race.
“Vice President Harris said it best that Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of his presidency are so serious,” Street said. He also applauded Harris selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, pointing to the gun control laws he signed .
Dean specifically criticized Trump for saying he will be opposing a ballot measure in Florida that expands abortion access.
“I tell you this, I’m standing here as a mom, as a mother in law to three daughters in law, and as a grandmother to three granddaughters and a grandson. So I take this very, very personally,” Dean said. “Donald Trump wants to take this to make this a reality across the country.”
Trump has said on the campaign trail that he’s proud that his appointments to the Supreme Court helped lead to Roe v. Wade being overturned , although his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), has said that Trump would veto a national abortion ban.
The Cook Political Report , a national ratings outlet, places seven states, including Pennsylvania, in the “toss-up” category for the presidential election. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania has the biggest prize of all the swing states for the winner of the election.
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