Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, urging the crowd to vote in what she described as “the most significant election of our lifetime.” This marked her third consecutive appearance at the annual event, where she emphasized the dangers of a potential Donald Trump presidency without directly naming him.
Harris highlighted the stark contrast between the current administration and the former president, who she said has openly admired dictators and expressed intentions to reorganize the Department of Justice against political enemies. She also criticized Trump for his stance on abortion, noting his pride in taking away women’s rights to make fundamental decisions about their own lives.
During her conversation with Caroline Wanga, CEO of Essence, Harris discussed the achievements of the Biden administration, including lowering student debt, ensuring medical debt does not affect financial scores, reducing insulin costs to $35 a month, and negotiating lower prescription drug prices. Notably, the discussion did not touch on President Joe Biden’s recent debate performance or the growing calls for him to step aside from the race.
Despite the scrutiny following Biden’s debate, Harris reiterated that he would continue to lead the Democratic ticket. If Biden were to step down, Harris would likely become a frontrunner to replace him as the Democratic nominee against Trump.
The former president and his allies have increasingly targeted Harris, blaming her for the border crisis and dubbing her the “border czar” due to her role in handling a migrant surge in 2021. Trump has also introduced a new nickname for Harris, “Laffin’ Harris,” to mock her laughter.
Harris’s national approval rating stands at 37%, with a disapproval rating of 51%, according to fivethirtyeight.com. In a hypothetical matchup against Trump, she narrowly trails with 45% to his 47%, performing slightly better than Biden due to greater support among female voters and independents.
At the Essence Festival, Harris continued her critique of Trump, particularly for appointing three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading to a federal ban on abortion. This ruling has resulted in strict abortion bans in conservative states like Louisiana, where attempts to allow abortions in cases of rape and incest have been opposed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and Governor Jeff Landry.
Harris’s appearance at the Essence Festival underscores her role in rallying support for the Democratic ticket and highlighting the administration’s accomplishments. As the election approaches, her presence and message at such events will be crucial in mobilizing voters and addressing the challenges posed by the opposition.
Source: The Times-Picayune
