Vice President Kamala Harris recently participated in a town hall on CNN in Pennsylvania, ramping up her outreach efforts as Election Day approaches. With less than six months to connect with voters in a challenging political landscape, her media tour includes stops at CNN, Telemundo, NBC News, and even a chat with Charlamagne tha God on The Breakfast Club.
This series of appearances is strategically aimed at undecided voters, as noted by Imani Cheer, an associate professor at George Washington University. Harris is focusing on engaging various demographics, including Spanish-speaking communities, Black voters, and Republicans who are still on the fence.
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During her CNN discussion, Harris tackled tough policy inquiries and shared personal stories. When questioned about the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to immigration issues at the U.S.-Mexico border, she provided an extensive answer. On the topic of democracy, she confidently referenced her legal background to argue against former President Donald Trump’s fitness for office.
Harris opened up about her personal experiences, including the deep grief she felt following the death of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris. She emphasizes the importance of expressing one’s feelings, stating, “You don’t stop grieving,” and advocates for allowing people to process their emotions.
She shared another touching moment, recalling how she turned to her pastor, Rev. Amos Brown, for support after President Biden announced he would exit the presidential race. Harris described needing that “spiritual connection” and valued the comfort the conversation provided her.
Following the town hall, two undecided voters who spoke with CNN expressed that they were now leaning towards voting for Harris. A recent interview with Fox News host Bret Baier had a similar effect; while 20% of swing voters left with a favorable impression of Harris, 30% viewed her negatively, and the remaining 50% were neutral. This indicates a slight increase in positive perceptions among swing voters, which could be crucial as the election looms closer.