Kamala Harris CNN town hall/ Kamala Harris labels Trump fascist/ Kamala Harris 2024 election/ Kamala Harris personal faith/ Kamala Harris town hall highlights/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ During a CNN town hall in Philadelphia, Kamala Harris addressed undecided voters just weeks before the election. She called Donald Trump a fascist, hinted at a break from President Biden’s policies, shared insights on her faith, and reflected on her leadership style when asked about her weaknesses.
Key Moments from Kamala Harris’ Town Hall Quick Looks:
- Trump labeled a fascist: Harris firmly called her opponent, Donald Trump, a fascist during the town hall.
- Breaking with Biden: Harris emphasized offering “a new approach” to governing, signaling slight policy shifts from President Biden.
- Discussing personal faith: She opened up about her prayer habits and her multi-faith upbringing.
- Acknowledging weaknesses: Harris admitted she’s “not perfect” and highlighted the importance of cautious decision-making in leadership.
Key Moments from Kamala Harris’ CNN Town Hall with Undecided Voters
Deep Look:
Four Memorable Moments from Kamala Harris’ CNN Town Hall
As the 2024 election nears, Kamala Harris took the stage for a CNN town hall event on Wednesday night in a Philadelphia suburb, facing questions from undecided voters. The event was set up after Donald Trump declined to participate in a second debate with her, just under two weeks before Election Day. The night brought out some notable moments that ranged from sharp critiques of her opponent to reflections on her personal beliefs and leadership style. Here’s a look at the four most memorable moments from Harris’ town hall appearance.
1. Harris Labels Trump a Fascist
Kamala Harris didn’t mince words when asked about her opponent, former President Donald Trump. During the town hall, CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked Harris whether she considers Trump a fascist—a term recently used by Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, to describe him. Harris responded decisively.
“Yes, I do,” she said, reiterating the label. “Yes, I do.”
This was a bold stance, building upon comments she had made earlier during an interview last week. In that instance, Harris agreed with radio host Charlamagne Tha God, who said Trump’s vision for the country represented fascism. Harris had responded, “Yes, we can say that,” and now, before the town hall audience, she doubled down on her belief that Trump embodies far-right authoritarianism.
2. Signaling a Break from Biden
Throughout her vice presidency, Harris has often been aligned with President Joe Biden’s policies. However, during the town hall, she hinted at diverging from Biden’s approaches on certain issues. With voters showing signs of desiring a new direction, Harris repeatedly mentioned her willingness to offer “a new approach” on governance—especially when it comes to healthcare for the elderly and reducing consumer costs.
Harris’ comments came after Biden gave her the go-ahead to carve out her own path if she were elected president, saying she would “cut her own path.” Harris embraced this opportunity cautiously, acknowledging that while Biden’s administration had made strides, there were still problems that needed addressing.
“I’m not going to shy away from saying, hey, these are still problems that we need to fix,” she said, reflecting a slight departure from the Biden administration’s narrative.
3. Opening Up About Her Personal Faith
A less-expected moment came when Harris discussed her personal faith, a topic she typically doesn’t delve into during public appearances. Cooper asked her to reflect on the day President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her candidacy, particularly a conversation she had with her pastor during that pivotal moment.
“I needed that advice,” Harris said about her conversation with Rev. Dr. Amos Brown from San Francisco. “I needed a prayer.”
Harris went on to describe her daily prayer routine, saying, “I do pray every day, sometimes twice a day.” She highlighted the belief that “faith is a verb,” stressing the importance of putting one’s beliefs into action by helping others.
Raised in a multi-religious environment, Harris also shared that she attended both Baptist church services and Hindu temple gatherings as a child, reflecting the diverse spiritual influences in her upbringing. Additionally, her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish, adding another layer to her personal religious experiences.
4. Admitting Her Weaknesses
When it came time for Harris to address a question about her weaknesses, she didn’t shy away from acknowledging imperfections. “I am certainly not perfect, so let’s start there,” she said with a smile, lightening the mood before diving into her leadership style.
Harris explained that she surrounds herself with “very smart people” to ensure she makes well-informed decisions on complex issues. She noted that she’s always pushing her team to think critically. “I’m constantly saying, ‘Let’s kick the tires on that,’” Harris said, explaining her cautious approach to governance.
While her answer could have come across as a typical politician’s dodge, framing a strength as a weakness, Harris’ remarks also touched on a real criticism she has faced. She’s been known to over-prepare and sometimes hesitate to take risks, a trait that has occasionally led to perceptions of indecisiveness.
Conclusion
Kamala Harris’ town hall appearance highlighted her candid perspectives on the upcoming election, her leadership philosophy, and her personal values. By labeling Trump a fascist, signaling a break from Biden, opening up about her faith, and addressing her weaknesses, Harris presented voters with a glimpse of how she might govern if elected president.
