On Wednesday night, Kamala Harris held a CNN town hall in a suburb of Philadelphia, engaging with undecided voters who posed their questions to her. This event was organized following Donald Trump’s decision to forgo a second debate with her.
With less than two weeks remaining until the election, several significant moments from the town hall stand out. These highlights capture the essence of the discussions and the key points addressed during the event, showcasing the issues that are likely to influence voter decisions in the final stretch leading up to Election Day.
Harris labels Trump as a fascist.
She made it clear that she views her opponent as embodying a far-right authoritarian ideology.
When CNN’s Anderson Cooper inquired whether she considers Trump a fascist, Harris responded directly.
“Yes, I do,” she said. “Yes, I do.”
Her response followed closely after John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, had referred to the Republican nominee using the same label.
Harris’ remarks were a more assertive reiteration of her response from an interview she conducted the previous week.
Radio host Charlamagne Tha God referred to Trump’s vision for the country as fascism and asked, “Why can’t we just say it?” “Yes, we can say that,” Harris said.
Since rising to the forefront of the Democratic ticket, the vice president has faced persistent inquiries about how she differs from President Joe Biden. Despite voters seeming ready for a shift in approach, Harris has been hesitant to separate herself from him.
Recently, Biden provided her with the rhetorical freedom to differentiate herself, suggesting that she could “cut her own path” if she were elected. Taking this cue, Harris appears to have cautiously embraced the chance to establish her own identity and agenda.
During her remarks on Wednesday night, she consistently highlighted her commitment to offering “a new approach” to governance. This included a focus on improving care for the elderly and implementing strategies to reduce consumer costs, indicating her intent to tackle these pressing issues in a way that sets her apart from the current administration.
“I’m not going to shy away from saying, hey, these are still problems that we need to fix,” Harris said.
Harris talks about her personal faith.
The vice president typically refrains from discussing her religious beliefs, but she shared more about them during the town hall.
Cooper asked Harris to recall the day Biden announced he would not seek reelection and endorsed her, specifically focusing on a conversation she had with her pastor.
“I needed that advice,” she said about her conversation with Rev. Dr. Amos Brown in San Francisco. “I needed a prayer.”
She also said, “I do pray every day, sometimes twice a day.”
Harris explained that she was brought up with the principle that “your faith is a verb.” This perspective emphasizes the importance of translating one’s beliefs into meaningful actions aimed at assisting others. In her view, faith is not just a matter of personal belief but a call to actively engage in helping those in need and making a positive impact in the community.
Harris has a diverse religious background that reflects a blend of different faiths. While growing up in California, she has shared her experiences of attending services at both a Baptist church and a Hindu temple, illustrating the rich tapestry of her spiritual upbringing. Additionally, her husband, Doug Emhoff, practices Judaism, further contributing to the multi-faith environment that shapes their personal lives. This combination of religious influences has played a significant role in her identity and values.
Harris was inquired about her shortcomings.
Candidates often focus on discussing their strengths, so one voter took the opportunity to ask Harris about her weaknesses.
She laughed and said, “I am certainly not perfect, so let’s start there.”
Harris explained that she surrounds herself with “very smart people” and challenges them to provide insights on complex issues. “I’m constantly saying, ‘Let’s kick the tires on that,’” she said. Harris said she’s cautious because “my actions have a direct impact on real people in a very fundamental way.”
Her response came across like a typical politician’s deflection, similar to when candidates claim their greatest weakness is caring too much. However, her answer subtly acknowledged some of the genuine criticisms she has encountered throughout her career.
At times, Harris has been described as preparing so thoroughly that it can lead to indecision or an apparent reluctance to take risks. This characterization comes from former officials within her office, who shared these observations on the condition of anonymity, as they were discussing internal, private matters. According to these sources, her careful approach can occasionally result in a cautiousness that hampers decisive action, reflecting a broader criticism of her leadership style.
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