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Election 2020

Biden makes final pitch to voters in Philly: There’s ‘too much on the line’ to sit out election

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a “Souls to the Polls” drive-in rally at Sharon Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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Socially distanced and in the rain, drivers on Sunday honked their horns in support of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in the parking lot of Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield Heights neighborhood.

Biden spent the day making his closing argument to voters ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.

The former vice president’s appearance at the drive-in “Souls to the Polls” event added another stop in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, where the Real Clear Politics polling average has Biden ahead by more than four percentage points.

Proceeding Biden was an invocation, followed by speeches from several clergy members and political leaders, including U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans and State Rep. Morgan Cephas.

Supporters attend a “Souls to the Polls” drive-in rally for Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, at Sharon Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

After a performance by Sharon’s choir, Biden was introduced by the church’s senior pastor, Bishop Keith Reed Sr.

Biden told the crowd that they have to “vote like they never did before.”

“Every day is a new reminder of how high the stakes are, of how far the other side will go to try to suppress the turnout, especially here in Philadelphia,” he said. “President Trump is terrified of what will happen in Pennsylvania.”

He added that there is “too much on the line” to sit out the election and reminded the crowd there are only two days to go.

“In two days, we can put an end to a presidency that’s failed to protect this nation,” Biden said. “In two days, we can put an end to a presidency that fanned the flames of hate; poured gasoline on every opportunity he had all across this nation.”

Biden reminded the crowd of his Pennsylvania roots — he was born in Scranton — and his being dubbed the “third Pennsylvania Senator” as he served as Delaware’s senator.

He reiterated his promise to implement a plan to address the coronavirus pandemic, as well as systemic racism and racial disparities, particularly in health care.

His stop in the Keystone State followed that of the president, who visited Saturday in suburban Bucks County.

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