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Bruce Springsteen, in full concert. Reuters
Springsteen, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Obama; Kamala Harris's Grand Stadium Rally

Springsteen, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Obama; Kamala Harris's Grand Stadium Rally

The Democratic candidate and the former president gather 23,000 people at an event on the outskirts of Atlanta where the New Jersey singer was emphatic: "Trump is an American tyrant."

Miguel Pérez

Viernes, 25 de octubre 2024, 07:45

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The Democratic Party has decided to showcase its power to draw big stars from music, film, and television in the United States in the final battle for the White House. Kamala Harris led the first stadium rally of the entire campaign on Thursday night, gathering 23,000 people at an event featuring Bruce Springsteen, Samuel L. Jackson, Tyler Perry, and Spike Lee in Atlanta. Although the Obamas had already supported the candidate at the Democratic National Convention, this was the first time Kamala shared a speech with the former president. Both condemned Donald Trump as a "dangerous" individual if he wins the presidency. Springsteen was more direct. "He is an American tyrant," he declared to an enthusiastic audience.

The involvement of American 'stars' in an electoral campaign is not new, but possibly this is the largest... after Barack Obama, of course. During his two presidential terms, he revealed a unique skill in finding the alchemy between politics and celebrities. He celebrated birthdays with the NBA's finest, secured Hollywood's commitment through Susan Sarandon, Robert De Niro, Tim Robbins, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg, Demi Moore, and Dustin Hoffman, among other great actors, and celebrated his last inauguration surrounded by artists like Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Marc Anthony, and Alicia Keys. He almost derailed when he attended a private event at Sarah Jessica Parker's house, the star of 'Sex and the City', for only 50 guests who had to pay $40,000 for their attendance. Republican Donald Trump criticized the Democratic politician's "elitism" for days.

In Atlanta, on Thursday night (early Friday morning in Spain), it seems Obama has reached out to some of those famous supporters, like Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee. He also invited Beyoncé, who will share a rally with Kamala Harris in Houston this Friday, where the appearance of progressive legend Willie Nelson, an institution of American music and stories about ordinary people, is also expected.

The candidate uses Beyoncé's song 'Freedom' as the entrance to each of her rallies, although it's true that in Atlanta, the introduction failed: after waiting several minutes in vain for her production team to activate the 'play', Kamala took the stage where Barack Obama awaited her without her electrifying campaign tune. However, it didn't matter. The 23,000 souls gathered at the football stadium of the high school in Clarkston, on the outskirts of Atlanta, were thrilled as soon as she said: "Yes, we can," referring to the famous slogan of the first black president in U.S. history.

By the way, besides Barack, the Democratic candidate will share a rally with Michelle Obama this Saturday. It is the first time both celebrate a joint event, and the anticipation is high. Michelle was the first lady of the United States; Kamala aspires to be the president. Both are women, both are of color. Michelle retains a magnetic charisma in a Democratic electorate where Kamala represents the force of progress. Two forces on one stage. Does anyone remember Joe Biden in this stellar display? It seems not. Despite being the country's president and the candidate his vice president, the party has not scheduled (or at least announced) joint events between them in the coming days, possibly to distance Harris from some of the government's policies.

Springsteen is well-liked among older white Americans and much of the rebellious youth, two sectors where Kamala struggles. Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, and Tyler Perry are popular with the black electorate, which the Democrats are drawing less than expected. They were all together in Atlanta, one of Georgia's main cities where, coincidentally, two million voters have already voted early. Signs indicate that Republican Trump is leading in the state with some advantage, and that's what stadium events like the one in Clarkston aim to counteract. It's time to mobilize those who haven't cast their ballots early and will go to the polls on November 5th.

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todoalicante Springsteen, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Obama; Kamala Harris's Grand Stadium Rally