Trump, Biden host contrasting rallies in swing state Florida
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U.S. First Lady Melania Trump (R) speaks to supporters of President Donald Trump (L) during a rally in Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. /Getty

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump (R) speaks to supporters of President Donald Trump (L) during a rally in Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. /Getty

U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden rallied supporters on Thursday in the closely fought state of Florida, highlighting their contrasting approaches to the resurgent coronavirus pandemic as the clock ticks down Election Day.

Opinion polls show Biden with a significant edge nationally, but with a tighter lead in the battleground states playing a decisive role in the final result.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday showed Trump was virtually tied with Biden in Florida, with 49 percent saying they would vote for Biden and 47 percent for the president. An NBC News/Marist poll released on Thursday had Biden with a 51-47 point lead in the state.

With its 29 electoral votes, the state is a significant prize in Tuesday's election. Trump's victory in Florida in 2016 was vital to his surprise election win. 

Read more: 

Swing states: Florida – a vote-rich 2020 election battleground

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Thousands of people, many of them without masks, crowded together at an outdoor event in Tampa on Thursday to hear Trump mock his opponent, the former vice president. 

"Could you imagine losing to this guy? Could you imagine?" Trump said, adding he was confident of winning a second term. 

Biden held a drive-in rally at the same time at a college in Broward County, north of Miami, where attendees remained in their cars to avoid possible spread of the disease. "Donald Trump has given up" on fighting COVID-19, said Biden. 

Biden took a swipe at Trump for paying extremely low amounts of federal income taxes. "Why should a firefighter, a nurse ... an educator pay a higher tax rate than the super-wealthy? Why should you pay more taxes than Donald Trump?" he asked. 

The New York Times reported last month that Trump had paid only $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017, and no income taxes in 10 of the prior 15 years. Trump has sent mixed messages about the report, not directly denying it but saying at times the number was "wrong."

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. /Getty

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. /Getty

Trump and Biden also painted radically different visions of the United States as significant new GDP figures showed the economy getting back on track even as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates again.

Trump told the cheering crowd that coronavirus lockdowns under Biden would banish everyday life. "They will allow you nothing," the Republican said.

"We're never going to lock down again … We're open for business," he said, telling supporters that his own bout with COVID-19 this month proved that the virus can be beaten. "You know, the bottom line is you get better," he said.

The coronavirus has already taken 228,000 American lives and is strongly rebounding nationwide in a long-predicted end-of-summer second wave.

Trump is counting on economic recovery and fear-mongering about the Democrats turning the U.S. into a leftist failed state to outweigh Biden's message over health. He got good news on that score Thursday with new figures showing an annual rate of growth of 33.1 percent in the third quarter, which reflected the fact that the economy is rebounding from such a low base.

But elect Biden, Trump told the Florida crowd, and they will face "rioters and flag burners and the left-wing extremists."

In a bid to soften Trump's abrasive image – beloved by his base but a turn-off to swing voters – he was introduced at the rally by his wife Melania, a rare presence on the campaign trail.

"We are a country of hope, not a country of fear or weakness, and we have a leader who shows us that every single day," said the first lady.

Supporters listen from their cars as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in campaign rally in Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. /Getty

Supporters listen from their cars as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in campaign rally in Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. /Getty

Biden reminded supporters that of all the states there are few as important as Florida in deciding the outcome of tight elections. "Right here in Florida, it's up to you. You hold the key. If Florida goes blue, it's over! It's over!" he said.  

Rebuffing Trump's central charge, Biden emphasized his claim that he would bring responsible leadership after months of attempts by the White House to play down the virus' danger. "I'm not going to shut down the economy. I'm not going to shut down the country. But I am going to shut down the virus," he said.  

While Trump mocks him for holding small campaign events, Biden said he was showing an example, instead of staging the president's "super spreader events."  

"He's spreading more virus around the country and here in Florida today he's spreading division," Biden said. "We need a president who's going to bring us together, not pull us apart … The heart and soul of this country is at stake."

(With input from Reuters, AFP)