WASHINGTON (AP) — Kamala Harris traveled to a Philadelphia suburb Wednesday evening for a CNN town hall, where she faced questions from undecided voters. The event was organized after Donald Trump refused to participate in a second debate with her.
Less than two weeks before the election, here are some highlights from the town hall.
Harris says Trump is a fascist
She leaves no doubt that she believes her opponent can be characterized by far-right authoritarian ideology.
When asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper if she thought Trump was a fascist, Harris responded bluntly.
“Yes, I do,” she said. “Yes I do.”
His response came shortly after John KellyTrump’s former chief of staff, used the same term to describe the Republican candidate.
Harris’ comments were a bolder version of a response she gave in an interview last week.
Radio host Charlamagne Tha God called Trump’s view of the country fascism and asked, “Why can’t we just say it?”
“Yes, we can say that,” Harris said.
Harris widens her rift with Biden
Since being catapulted to the top of the Democratic ticket, the vice president has I struggled with questions about how she is different from President Joe Biden. Harris is reluctant to distance herself from him, even though voters appear eager for a change in direction.
However, Biden recently gave her the rhetorical green light to break with him further, saying she would. “chart your own path” if he is elected.
Harris appears to have timidly seized this opportunity. She repeatedly said Wednesday night that she would propose “a new approach” to government on aged care and reducing costs for consumers.
“I won’t hesitate to say, hey, these are still issues that we need to address,” Harris said.
Harris talks about his personal faith
The vice president doesn’t usually talk about her religion, but she revealed more during the town hall.
Cooper asked Harris to reflect on the day Biden abandoned his re-election bid and supported her, particularly a call she had with her pastor.
“I needed that advice,” she said of her conversation with the Rev. Dr. Amos Brown in San Francisco. “I needed a prayer.”
She also said, “I pray every day, sometimes twice a day. »
Harris said she was raised to believe that “your faith is a verb,” meaning it’s important to put your beliefs into action to help others.
Harris’ background and personal life involve a mixture of religions. She once spoke about attending services at a Baptist church and a Hindu temple while growing up in California. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish.
Harris was asked about her weaknesses
Candidates spend a lot of time talking about their strengths, which is why one of the voters asked Harris about her weaknesses.
“I’m definitely not perfect, so let’s start there,” she said with a laugh.
Harris said she surrounds herself with “very smart people” who she pushes for answers on complex topics.
“I’m constantly saying, ‘Let’s get going,’” she said. Harris said she was cautious because “my actions directly impact real people in a very fundamental way.”
It seemed like a classic politician’s dodge, like when a candidate says their biggest weakness is that they care too much. But her response hinted at the real criticism she’s faced over the years.
Sometimes Harris is known for preparing to the point of paralysis, and sometimes she’s not willing to take risks.