Biden hits out at Trump over virus and economy

The 2020 presidential race is entering its final phase Monday, and Democratic candidate Joe Biden is Pennsylvania where he's collecting a trio of Labor Day endorsements from organized labor.

Biden is scheduled for a virtual AFL-CIO town hall later Monday in Harrisburg, but earlier Monday, he met with a group of former military service members and community leaders at the home of one of his supporters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Outside, supporters cheered for him as he stopped by to greet them.

"This election is more than, 'I'm going to be Democratic nominee, but I'm going to be an American president.' Represent those that vote against me, as well as for me," he said amid applause.

Labor Day typically marks the unofficial start to the fall campaign as candidates accelerate their activity for the final sprint. But Monday's events are playing out this year against the backdrop of a pandemic that has upended campaigning, forcing much of the traditional activity online.

When asked if he would be willing to take the coronavirus vaccine, should it be ready before election day, Biden said he would first wait to hear from the scientist before blasting President Trump.

"I want full transparency on the vaccine," he said.

"One of the problems is the way he's playing with politics is he's said so many things that aren't true. I'm worried that if we have a really good vaccine, people will be reluctant to take it. So, he's undermining public confidence."

While the presidential campaign was roiled this past week by multiple reports recounting comments Trump allegedly made disparaging fallen soldiers, as well as the police shooting and violent protests in Kenosha, the focus on Labor Day is likely to return to the issue that polls consistently find at the top of voters' minds: the economy.

A strong economy that was Trump's biggest asset for reelection has now become a potential liability, brought down by the coronavirus.

The Biden campaign has emphasized the economic damage wrought by what Biden argues was an inadequate response to the pandemic that resulted in more loss of life and jobs than necessary.

It's a line both Biden and Harris are likely to push while speaking to union voters.