PHOENIX, Nov 1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Kamala Harris on Thursday slammed Donald
Trump for what she called "very offensive" remarks about women, putting
abortion rights back in the spotlight as her rival hurled more insults and
denigrated migrants during the election's final stretch.

With each candidate seeking even the slightest of advantages, they took their
knife-edge White House race to western battleground states, homing in on
immigration and wooing Latinos five days before voting concludes November 5.

Trump, dressed in a black overcoat and black "Make America Great Again" cap,
painted a dark picture of immigration run amok as he addressed supporters in
border state New Mexico, saying migrants are "unleashing a violent killing
spree all across America."

As the Democratic vice president and Republican former president chase one
another through the seven swing states expected to decide the election,
Harris is conveying a more upbeat message, with pop icon Jennifer Lopez set
to bring her star power to the stage in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday
evening.

Trump too rallies in Nevada, with the rivals also visiting Arizona, where
Harris spoke in Phoenix and Trump holds a scheduled interview with ex-Fox
News host Tucker Carlson.

Harris targeted Trump over his remarks when he told a Wednesday rally he
wanted to "protect" American women "whether the women like it or not."

She branded the comments "offensive to everybody."

- 'Yes we can' -

At her Phoenix rally, she said Trump "does not believe women should have the
agency and authority to make decisions about their own bodies."

Trump is "the same man who said women should be punished for their choices,"
she said. "But we trust women," she said to cheers and chants of "Si se
puede" ("Yes we can").

Reproductive rights have served as a rallying cry for Democrats -- and an
Achilles heel of sorts for Trump -- since the conservative-dominated US
Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion in 2022.

Polling for this year's election shows a wide gender gap, with women voters
tilting toward Harris, and Trump earning more support from men, so abortion
could play a determining role in the outcome.

Both campaigns have been jolted this week after controversies stemming from
remark by a warm-up speaker at a Trump rally.

Harris made political hay from the comedian calling the US territory of
Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."

But Harris then found herself on the defensive after President Joe Biden in
turn appeared to call Trump supporters "garbage."

On Thursday in New Mexico, Trump unleashed a stream of insults against
Democrats Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Harris.

"She destroyed our economy," Trump said, referring to a period that, contrary
to his criticism, is showing robust US growth, low unemployment and
increasing consumer confidence, despite voter concerns about high prices.

- 'I love Hispanics' -

Trump is also betting frustrations over the Biden-Harris administration's
immigration policy will swing border state Arizona back in his favor after
Biden beat Trump there in 2020.

His appearance in New Mexico was a head-scratcher, though, given that polls
suggest Harris will carry the state. Nevertheless he courted Hispanic voters
there.

"I love Hispanics. They are hard workers," Trump said. "And they are warm --
sometimes they are too warm, if you want to know the truth."

Harris however said Trump would be a disaster for minorities.

"He insults Latinos, scapegoats immigrants -- and it's not just what he says,
it's what he will do," she said, warning of Trump's threat to conduct the
largest-ever US deportation operation.

Latinos traditionally have aligned more with Democrats, but recent polling
shows a noticeable trend toward Republicans.

The latest New York Times/Siena poll showed Harris with 52 percent support
among Hispanic voters to Trump's 42 percent.

More cat-and-mouse campaigning occurs Friday in Wisconsin, where both
candidates hold rallies in Milwaukee.

Some 63.5 million Americans have cast their ballots early, more than 40
percent of the 2020 total vote.

Harris, whose mother was Indian and father is Jamaican, has been earning a
stream of celebrity endorsements. NBA legend LeBron James threw his support
behind Harris on Thursday.