Cleveland: Hillary Clinton campaigned on Saturday in the company of friends and celebrities, first flanked by billionaire businessman Mark Cuban in Pittsburgh and Detroit, and then at a concert in Cleveland with Jay Z and Beyoncé.
High-wattage political leaders fanned out for her around the country: Her husband, Bill, stumped in Colorado, as President Barack Obama rallied voters in North Carolina.
By comparison, Donald Trump was a lonely figure. In the final days of the presidential race, Mr Trump’s political isolation has made for an unusual spectacle on the campaign trail — and perhaps a limiting factor in his dogged comeback bid.
CNN’s latest snapshot of the Electoral College map is a little more favorable to Donald Trump, but Hillary Clinton is still leading.
When it comes to bolstering Mr Trump, the Republican Party is not sending its best: As party leaders have disavowed him or declined to back his candidacy, Mr Trump has been left instead with an eclectic group of backup players to aid him in his last dash for votes. Though polls show Mr Trump drawing closer to Ms Clinton, the most prominent Republicans in key swing states still fear that his unpopularity may taint them by association.
Mr Trump acknowledged the relative bareness of his events: In defiant language, Mr Trump hailed the size of the crowd packed into an arena in Pennsylvania.
“By the way, I didn’t have to bring J. Lo or Jay Z — the only way she gets anybody,” he said. “I am here all by myself. Just me — no guitar, no piano, no nothing.”
Meanwhile, Ms Clinton had Vice-President Joe Biden campaigning in Wisconsin and Mr Sanders in Iowa. She was due in Philadelphia for a concert with Katy Perry and Stevie Wonder. Her schedule culminates Monday in what may be the biggest event of her campaign since the convention: an election-eve rally in the city with Bill, Mr Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
— By arrangement with The New York Times
