Doug Emhoff courts Pennsylvania Latinos for ‘real leader’ Kamala Harris: ‘This ain’t a honeymoon’
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Kamala Harris’ husband headlined a slate of Democrats rallying in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley over the weekend, all of whom came out swinging against former President Donald Trump.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff delivered Saturday’s last and longest speech in support of his wife’s presidential campaign — asserting the veep is “who she’s always been,” despite being called out for flip-flopping on the issues.
“You know what we’re seeing right now? The most badass version of Kamala Harris when we needed it!” Emhoff told the crowd.
“This ain’t a honeymoon… This is what a real leader looks like.”
Emhoff debuted some policy proposals for a potential Harris administration while taking aim at Trump for his “hate” that is “poisoning the blood” of America — a reference to the ex-prez’s previous comments on illegal immigration.
Emhoff said Harris has proposed increasing the tax deduction for small businesses’ startup expenses from $5,000 to $50,000. She also plans to oversee the construction of 3 million new housing units to lower living costs and include a $25,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, per the second gentleman.
Other speakers at Saturday’s rally included Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, hometown Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who introduced the Emhoff to the stage.
Cardona — who spoke partially in Spanish to the many Latinos in attendance — enthusiastically worked the crowd by rapping Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours” to contrast the records of Harris and Trump.
“You got one [candidate] that wants to fix the education system in Puerto Rico and fix the energy system, the grid in Puerto Rico,” Cardona said of Harris, “and then the other one throws paper towels into a crowd after a hurricane,” he said of Trump. “We haven’t forgotten it.”
Rally attendees told The Post they are concerned about a variety of issues, but excited to vote in-person on Election Day.
Michele Bright, a 49-year-old commercial lender from nearby Easton, came out to support the Harris’ campaign, citing women’s rights as a key issue for her, but told The Post: “We’ve gotta do something about the economy, the housing market and immigration,” Bright said.
An Allentown man, 25-year-old Frederick Stevens, wanted to hear Emhoff and Cardona speak about education issues — particularly as Allentown schools continue to struggle.
“Our schools are nationally underperforming. We need federal money, and we need to get the test scores so we can get the federal money,” he told The Post.
