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Latest US elections: Harris and Trump tie in first official election result – as polling day dawns for millions of Americans | US News
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Latest US elections: Harris and Trump tie in first official election result – as polling day dawns for millions of Americans | US News

Blockbuster, star-studded ending to Harris campaign — with a grim warning from Oprah Winfrey

On the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, made famous by the Rocky Balboa film franchise, Kamala Harris delivered a blockbuster conclusion to her campaign.

Harris took the stage after 11 p.m. and raised her fist to the night sky to the cheers of a crowd of 30,000.

On the eve of a historic election, she reiterated a final message of hope and unity.

“We end as we began,” she said, “with optimism, with joy, knowing that we, the people, have the power to shape our future and overcome every challenge when we do it together.”

The vice president was led to the lectern by Oprah Winfrey, who chose a more somber final message, warning that depending on the outcome, Americans might “never vote again.”

It was a star-studded evening with an eye-catching stage filled with Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and Fat Joe, a rapper of Puerto Rican descent who called on other Latinos to move the country away from Donald Trump.

But will this enthusiasm translate to the ballot box? Ryan Richardson, a young woman from Philadelphia, believes so.

“I think Kamala Harris has done more than anyone could humanly imagine doing in the last 120 days,” she says.

“If this isn’t a moment for the history books, I don’t know what is. The way she galvanized voters, of all ages, races, socio-economic spectrum and brought us all to Philadelphia tonight, on the cusp of making history, it’s truly incredible.”

Harris suggested she chose the Philadelphia landmark with her own story in mind, calling the steps made famous by the Rocky films “a tribute to those who start as underdogs and climb to victory.”

Harris’ team believes she is no longer the underdog, supported by early voting data, which suggests women turned out in large numbers. Polls show women support Harris by a considerable margin.

Outside Harris’ previous rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where voters are split between her and Trump, a group of about a dozen women chanted her name. “Kam-a-la,” they sang and danced.

Pat Hillbish was a registered Republican but says she can’t consider voting for Trump.

“I’m voting for Kamala,” she said, “because she stands for all that is right: truth and justice. And I’m so tired of the hate.”

In the first election since Roe v. Wade was overturned and the constitutional right to choose removed, reproductive rights are a motivating factor for some voters.

“I certainly hope women vote for Harris,” Jean Gerding said. “I also hope that it’s men who realize that the government really shouldn’t play a role in our decision about abortion.”

Harris did not mention Donald Trump by name at her most recent rally. She had previously only referred to him as “the other guy.”

She signed the shortest presidential campaign in Philadelphia, the cradle of the United States. In the coming hours, the people of this city will determine the country’s next direction.