Bill Clinton Launches Campaign Push in Battleground States Ahead of Election Day

Former President Bill Clinton is set to embark on a strategic campaign effort this weekend aimed at winning over key rural voters in battleground states leading up to Election Day, according to multiple sources familiar with his plans.

Clinton’s campaign will primarily focus on areas where polls indicate Vice President Kamala Harris is struggling, particularly among younger Black men. His first stops will be in Georgia, where he will be engaging with local voters on Sunday and Monday. A bus tour in North Carolina is also planned for next week, contingent on the recovery efforts from recent hurricanes.

The emphasis of Clinton’s campaign will be on counties that were previously won by former President Donald Trump. Additionally, he hopes to reconnect with Clinton voters who have drifted away from the Democratic Party over the past decade. Notably, Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to win Georgia in 1992.

In contrast to large rallies of past campaigns, Clinton will focus on more intimate events such as local fairs and porch gatherings, engaging with small groups of voters—typically no more than a few hundred at a time. He aims to address economic concerns, which he believes will be pivotal in swaying undecided voters. Drawing from themes he discussed during his speech at the Democratic National Convention, Clinton plans to highlight the differences between Trump’s self-interest and Harris’s commitment to improving the economy.

“He’s the perfect messenger to make the case that Kamala Harris would fix inflation and finish getting the economy back on track,” said a source familiar with Clinton’s strategy. In a nostalgic nod to his past, he is expected to indulge in fried foods during his tour, potentially breaking his long-held vegan diet.

Clinton has been actively involved in Harris’s campaign since July when she reached out for his support following President Joe Biden’s exit from the race. Their teams have been coordinating details to maximize Clinton’s impact on the trail.

Calvin Smyre, a former Georgia state representative, emphasized Clinton’s expertise on economic issues, stating, “He has a knack of reaching people.” Former Georgia state senator Jason Carter echoed this sentiment, noting that Clinton’s presidency is often associated with economic prosperity.

Carter added that Clinton’s presence would resonate with voters in both rural and urban areas, effectively communicating a message centered on working and middle-class values.

In a touching testament to Clinton’s efforts, one Georgia voter is already on board: his grandfather, former President Jimmy Carter, who recently turned 100 and expressed his intention to vote for Harris from hospice care.