On a recent Wednesday night, Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a town hall event held by CNN in a suburb of Philadelphia, engaging directly with undecided voters. This event was organized following Donald Trump’s decision to forgo a second debate with her as the election approaches swiftly.
As the election draws nearer, several noteworthy exchanges from the town hall stood out. Harris didn’t hold back her conviction that Donald Trump embodies a fascist mentality. When CNN’s Anderson Cooper directly asked her if she considers Trump to be a fascist, she firmly replied, “Yes, I do.” This assertion mirrored remarks made earlier by John Kelly, who previously served as Trump’s chief of staff and labeled the Republican candidate with the same terminology. Harris’s declaration marked a more assertive stance than a prior interview in which she agreed with radio host Charlamagne Tha God’s assertion about Trump’s vision being fascistic, where she encouraged candid discussions about such characterizations.
In another significant moment, Harris began to draw greater distinctions from President Joe Biden. Although she has faced challenges in differentiating her platform from his, Biden recently suggested that she would be able to “cut her own path” should she take office. Taking advantage of this, Harris expressed her commitment to proposing “a new approach” focused on addressing issues affecting the elderly and reducing consumer costs. “I’m not going to shy away from saying, hey, these are still problems that we need to fix,” she emphasized, signaling her intent to forge her unique path on critical issues.
In a rare reflection on her faith, Harris opened up to voters during the town hall. When Cooper prompted her to share her thoughts on the moment Biden announced he wouldn’t seek reelection and backed her instead, she recounted a discussion with her pastor that provided her essential comfort during that time. “I needed that advice,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of faith in her daily life, stating, “I do pray every day, sometimes twice a day.” Harris explained that she was raised with the belief that faith should be actively practiced, motivating individuals to support and uplift others.
Additionally, Harris addressed a question concerning her perceived weaknesses. With a touch of humor, she admitted, “I am certainly not perfect, so let’s start there.” She stressed the significance of surrounding herself with intelligent advisors, often seeking their insight on complex issues. “I’m constantly saying, ‘Let’s kick the tires on that,’” she mentioned, acknowledging her caution since her decisions can profoundly affect people’s lives. While her answer initially appeared like a typical political response, it subtly alluded to some criticism she has received in the past regarding her tendency to overprepare and a hesitation to take significant risks at times.