Putting Republican White House nominee Donald Trump's physical fitness and mental acuity in the spotlight, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, 59, on Saturday decided to release her health report and medical history.
As the US presidential election is drawing near, both Harris and Trump have intensified campaigns and attacks on each other. By releasing her medical history, Harris aims to portray that she is physically and mentally fit to execute the duties of the presidency with confidence.
According to a Harris aide, the report says, "She possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief."
Trump, 78, has so far not released any information about his health.
Based on the recent Trump campaign rallies, some medical experts have pointed out that he has been slurring, stumbling over his words and showing typical signs of those approaching the 80s.
Also, it has been noted that Trump's decision not to take part in yet another presidential debate, after the September 10 face-off, was to avoid "public scrutiny".
President Joe Biden was forced to drop out of the presidential race after his age-related issues took centerstage. Even the Democrats opined that it might be viable to change the election strategies as Trump repeatedly attacked Biden’s age. The 81-year-old Biden endorsed Harris soon after he decided to end his re-election bid.
Trump had maintained that Biden "became mentally impaired".
Reportedly, the recent polls also give an edge to Harris as both parties intensified their campaigns in the key swing states.
Meanwhile, aiming to woo the Black community, Harris will next week highlight her economic policies that benefit Black men. Access to capital for Black entrepreneurs, ways to grow small businesses and housing solutions, and racial justice issues will be the points of discussion.
If elected Harris would be the second Black president and first Black woman in the office.
In 2020, Biden got about 80 per cent of the Black male vote.
On Thursday, former President Barack Obama remarked that black men were "coming up with all kinds of excuses and reasons" not to back Harris.
"Part of it makes me think -- and I'm speaking to men directly -- part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren't feeling the idea of having a woman as president and you're coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that," Obama said.
Reportedly, Harris has told campaign staff to do more outreach to Black men, including rallies and events that put them centerstage.
