Rapper Eminem and Obama rally voters for Kamala Harris in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit rapper Eminem stepped into the political arena Tuesday in his hometown, where he spoke briefly at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris ' presidential campaign before welcoming former President Barack Obama to the stage.

“As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever,” Eminem, a longtime critic of former President Donald Trump, told the crowd. “And I think it’s important to use your voice. So I’m encouraging everybody to get out and vote.”

He said people shouldn't be afraid of retribution or of making their opinion known, adding that Harris "supports a future for this country where these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld.”

The Detroit rapper then introduced Obama, who took the stage to the beat of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself." The former president joked that he “noticed my palms are sweaty,” a reference to the hit song, before rapping several lines from it.

The appearance by Obama and Eminem comes just days before early voting kicks off across Michigan. Democrats hope the star-studded event, which also featured former Lions wide receiver and NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, will boost enthusiasm among voters.

Voter turnout in Detroit, a longtime Democratic stronghold, will be crucial in determining who wins the state in November, when Michigan is among a handful of swing states expected to determine who wins the presidency as well as control of the U.S. Senate. Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who faces Republican Mike Rogers for an open Senate seat, appeared alongside Obama at the rally.

Obama attacked Trump as unfit, citing recent incidents such as the town hall where Trump opted to hold an impromtu concert of sorts, swaying back and forth to various songs for about 40 minutes rather than taking questions from voters.

“If your grandpa was acting like this, you’d be worried,” Obama said. “This is somebody who wants unchecked power. We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guardrails. America’s ready to turn the page.”

Trump has made his own bid for Detroit, appearing with hometown rapper Trick Trick at a rally in the city last week. Trick Trick previously collaborated with Eminem on the track “Welcome 2 Detroit."

Obama and other speakers Tuesday, which included many top Democratic leaders in the state, capitalized on comments Trump made in Detroit earlier this month, when he said it was a “developing” city.

“The whole country will be like — you want to know the truth? It’ll be like Detroit,” Trump said as he addressed the Detroit Economic Club. “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke in the leadup to Eminem and Obama, snapped back Tuesday.

“I know you all saw what he said about this beautiful city. He called Detroit a failure and a mess, proving he ain’t firing on all cylinders," Whitmer said. "He doesn’t have a clue what the hell he was talking about. And you know what I think? He ought to keep Detroit out of his mouth.”

Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Former President Barack Obama looks on at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Rapper Eminem arrives to speak before former President Barack Obama at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Rapper Eminem, right, greets former President Barack Obama, left, on stage at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Rapper Eminem, right, greets former President Barack Obama, left, on stage at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Rapper Eminem, center, greets the crowd on stage with former President Barack Obama, left, at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Mathieu Olivier scored twice and Daniil Tarasov stopped 25 shots as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 Tuesday night.

Justin Danforth had a goal and two assists, Sean Monahan added a goal and an assist, and James van Riemsdyk and Kirill Marchenko also scored for Columbus Zach Werenski had two assists.

Matthew Knies and Nicholas Robertson scored for Toronto, which has lost two of three. Dennis Hildeby finished with 32 saves.

Maple Leafs: Toronto, which traveled to Columbus early this morning after their home win over Tampa Bay on Monday, came out flat with just six shots in the first period and could never find its offensive flow.

Blue Jackets: Columbus scored three goals in a period twice this season, the previous time Oct. 12 at Colorado.

The Blue Jackets shook up their lines to spread the offensive output, and it worked as they scored three goals n the first period. The reshuffled fourth line brought home the first score from van Riemsdyk at 5:29. The third line padded the lead 52 seconds later with Danforth’s first of the season and added Olivier’s score with 7:18 left. The first line finally got in on the action with Monahan’s goal at 5:35 of the second.

The Maple Leafs seem to bring out the best in Danforth, who has three goals and four assists in seven career games against Toronto.

The Maple Leafs host St. Louis on Thursday, while the Blue Jackets visit Nashville on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, center, controls the puck between Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Sean Monahan, left, and goalie Daniil Tarasov during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson, left, blocks Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann from the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier, left, reaches for the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi, center, and forward Simon Benoit during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth, right, checks Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Christopher Tanev during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger, right, reaches for the puck behind Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth, right, checks Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, left, shoots the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Daniil Tarasov, left, makes a stop behind Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, center, and Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Sean Monahan (23) scores past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby, defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) and defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)