Since President Joe Biden exited the Presidential race, Kamala Harris has been in high gear.
In the middle of that whirlwind, she found time to sit down with Oprah Winfrey for a profound livestream conversation about the state of our nation.
The two addressed the topics on everyone’s minds – immigration, the economy, women’ rights, school safety, and more. From listening to the heartfelt personal stories of everyday Americans, to speaking on plans for the early days of her administration, Kamala was on point – and on message.
“We each have those moments in our lives when it’s time to step up.” -Kamala Harris
With more than 250,000 people tuning in, Harris told the story of who she is, where she’s come from, and what she hopes to do if she’s elected as the 47th President of the United States.
Her tone was upbeat and positive, unlike much of the messaging that Americans have endured during this election cycle.
You can catch the Unite for America replay here:
Harris shared a wealth of information in the brief time the two spent together in the suburbs of Michigan, a crucial battleground state. The Vice President hopes to speak to the concerns of swing voters who remain undecided, and those who are considering sitting out the election altogether.
When asked about her approach to solving “the border problem,” Harris spoke on her history as a prosecutor in a border state, and her record for prosecuting transnational criminals in California.
She made a point of reminding voters about the Bipartisan Border Bill that was presented before Congress earlier this year, and how Trump derailed the effort, preferring to run on the rather than solve it.
Harris committed to signing that bill into law if she is elected.
Though celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep added their star power to the event, Unite for America’s focus was the stories of the everyday American.
Nothing is more pressing for average Americans today than the economy. More than half of Americans 18-34 say that the cost of living is their top issue this election year, and they’re not the only ones.
When Philadelphians Rachel and Garrett, first time homeowners with a child under 2, told the story, Harris leaned in.
They’d made the same decisions so many of us have – going to school, getting good jobs, and planning a life. When costs started to skyrocket, they moved back in with their parents to save for their first home. Now, Rachel’s sister and her husband are living with them to do the same.
In response, Kamala talked about her plans to increase the Child Tax Credit to $6,000 so families don’t have to worry about the essentials. She also plans to introduce a $25,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. It’s all part of what she calls the “Opportunity Economy,” a plan to increase the economic security of all Americans.
The conversation continued with Harris speaking on the issue of reproductive rights in America, and the costs of Roe vs. Wade being overturned. There were few dry eyes when Hadley Duvall, a 22-year-old abortions rights advocate, shared her story about being raped and abused by her stepfather as a child.
“I can’t fathom thinking about the other Hadleys out there, who don’t have that choice…that don’t have somebody to go to.” Duvall went on to laud Harris for her commitment to women’s rights. “Thank you for hearing us and seeing us when the Supreme Court won’t.”
Unfortunately, Amber Nicole Thurman fell victim to the horrors of Georgia’s 2022 abortion ban. She suffered a rare complication after taking an abortion pill.
After seeking emergency care, doctors waited 20 hours before performing a D&C, which could have saved her life had it been performed more quickly. The 28-year-old’s story has recently come to light after Georgia courts ruled that her death was preventable.
Amber’s mother and sisters, Shanette, CJ, and Andrika came to Unite for America to tell her story and help others. Vice President Harris sought to comfort the family, and inform the public. “Here’s the problem with this…is she on death’s door before your decide to give her help?”
“This is a healthcare crisis that affects both the patient and the professional.”
As the conversation continued, the topic of safety in America came up. Oprah mentioned the shocking number of school shootings that have taken plan in America in the 25 years since Columbine – 417. More than 383,000 American children have been exposed to gun violence.
Sadly, these situations have become far too common. Apalachee High School is the latest in a line of heartbreaking stories.
“This is not normal, and this is not right. ” -Oprah Winfrey
Natalie Griffith, a 15-year-old survivor of the Apalachee school shooting, and her parents Doug and Marilda told the story of the day she was impacted by school gun violence. They made a touching, heartfelt plea for common sense gun legislation to protect American children.
Democratic candidate Harris responded, saying she supports 2nd Amendment rights, and she supports a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks, and red flags laws – because they are common sense, practical steps we can take to protect Americans.
The Vice President then confirmed that she, herself, is a gun owner, but she’s willing to do what’s necessary to end this violence in our country.
After a poignant 90 minutes, the conversation drew to a close. In her parting words, Vice President Harris states that our love for our country is what unites us. “This is a moment where we can, and must, come together as Americans, and realize we have more in common that what separates us.”
It was a stirring appeal, but its impact on undecided voters remains to be seen. With 47 days left on the campaign trail, Harris’s focus must be on securing the swing vote and winning battlegrounds. Perhaps moments like this can help her do so.
At the end of the event, Oprah made a final appeal to all Americans to get involved, but focused on those in the center we are still undecided.
“This is the moment, for all decent people, for all caring people…who want the best for yourself and you want the best for other people.
This is the moment, for people who are tired of all of the bickering and all of the name-calling…people who are exhausted by the craziness, and the made up stories, and the conspiracies…THIS is the moment…because you know that we can do better, and that we deserve better.”
This is the moment, indeed.
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