In a recent rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, delivered an inspiring message to supporters, urging them to take every possible action in the lead-up to the election to ensure Kamala Harris’s victory. Speaking to a crowd at the Scranton Cultural Center, Walz drew upon his experiences as a high school teacher and coach to liken the tight race with Donald Trump to the final moments of a football game.

“It’s going to be tight. It’s the fourth quarter. We have the best team on the field,” Walz said. He emphasized the importance of incremental efforts: “We’ve got to do this one inch at a time, one yard at a time, one door at a time, one call at a time, one dollar at a time, one vote at a time.”

Polling data indicates a fiercely competitive race in Pennsylvania, with Harris leading Trump by less than one point, a crucial detail as the state could prove pivotal in the electoral college. Walz cautioned his audience about the “dangerous complacency” of underestimating the threat posed by Trump.

“We are running like everything is on the line because everything is on the line. It is. We feel it. You know it,” he said. Walz echoed Harris’s recent remarks from a CNN town hall, highlighting a concern raised by Trump’s former advisors about the urgent state of the nation. He also recounted a controversial statement from John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, about Trump’s admiration for certain historical military figures.

Addressing the crowd, Walz argued, “Maybe Donald forgot that Hitler and his generals were on the other side of this thing, and it was the sons of Minnesota and Pennsylvania that were carrying the stars and stripes, that kicked his ass and saved this world from fascism.”

As the campaign enters its final phase, Walz has taken a more vigorous approach. He recently referred to Elon Musk, who has been campaigning with Trump, in less-than-flattering terms, calling him a “dipshit.” The crowd responded enthusiastically to his straightforwardness.

On a more unifying note, Walz also took time to honor Joe Biden, a beloved figure in Scranton. “This country owes a huge debt to you and a huge debt to Joe Biden,” he said, praising the president’s commitment to the nation above personal ambition. The crowd erupted with chants of “Joe!” in response.

Michael McNulty, a local voter who lives near Biden’s childhood home, expressed his admiration for both Biden and the Harris-Walz ticket. “There’s a real sense of optimism and hope here. It’s not just against Trump,” he said, wearing a Harris-Walz camo hat. “They’re sharing a vision for the future of the country that I want to live in, one that I’m proud to contribute to.”

Reflecting on the competitiveness of the race, McNulty expressed confidence in Harris’s chances this election cycle, saying, “We’re going to push this over the finish line for the Harris-Walz ticket. PA is going to deliver, and we’re going to have Madame President.”