Kamala Harris/ Tim Walz/ Call Her Daddy/ abortion rights/ women in politics/ 2024 election/ GOP/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kamala Harris kicked off a media push with an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, discussing abortion, female empowerment, and her GOP opponents. Joined by running mate Gov. Tim Walz, Harris aims to strengthen the Democratic platform on abortion rights, family support, and integrity as the election nears.
Kamala Harris Talks Key Issues on ‘Call Her Daddy’: Quick Looks
- Podcast Spotlight: Harris speaks on abortion, personal grit, and dismissing naysayers on “Call Her Daddy.”
- Campaign Push: Harris and Walz intensify outreach with appearances on “60 Minutes,” “The View,” and more.
- Abortion Stance: Harris emphasizes the importance of reproductive rights and critiques GOP views.
- GOP Remarks: Harris calls out Trump and Vance’s abortion and family policy positions as misleading.
- International Relations: Harris navigates questions on the U.S.-Israel alliance amid Middle East tensions.
Harris Discusses Abortion and GOP on ‘Call Her Daddy’ Podcast
Deep Look
Vice President Kamala Harris opened a wave of media appearances with an interview on the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy,” where she discussed issues central to her platform, such as abortion rights, resilience in the face of opposition, and family values. The 40-minute interview allowed Harris to connect with a largely female audience and to speak candidly on topics often avoided in mainstream media. Harris’s appearance on “Call Her Daddy,” a top-ranked podcast among women, reflects a strategic effort by the Democratic ticket to reach more voters as the November election approaches.
Harris Talks Reproductive Rights and Resilience
The “Call Her Daddy” interview covered a range of topics, including Harris’s thoughts on abortion, female empowerment, and personal strength. The Democratic nominee emphasized her lifelong commitment to reproductive rights and described the challenges of navigating a political landscape often skeptical of women in power. Recalling advice from her mother, Harris encouraged listeners — often called the “Daddy Gang” — to “not hear no” and to stay confident, especially when facing doubters.
Harris also addressed the contentious issue of abortion, stressing that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has led many Americans, even those initially opposed to abortion, to reconsider their views due to the real-life health risks women now face. “People are seeing the consequences and saying, ‘I didn’t intend for all this to happen,’” Harris remarked. She took aim at former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, criticizing them for what she described as misleading and harmful statements on abortion and family issues.
Reaching Broader Audiences with a Packed Media Schedule
This interview was just one in a packed schedule for Harris and running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, both of whom will make multiple appearances on major media outlets in the coming days. The campaign aims to broaden its messaging and connect with diverse demographics through various platforms. In addition to the podcast appearance, Harris has taped an interview for “60 Minutes” and will join Howard Stern, “The View,” and Stephen Colbert’s late-night show on Tuesday. Walz will appear on Jimmy Kimmel’s show on Monday night as part of the media push.
In a preview from her “60 Minutes” interview, Harris responded to a question about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by affirming the alliance between the U.S. and Israel while choosing her words carefully. “The better question is: Do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? And the answer to that question is yes,” Harris stated, diplomatically sidestepping direct commentary on Netanyahu himself.
Walz Defends Policy Record and Clarifies Missteps
Walz, who recently faced criticism for his performance in a vice-presidential debate with Vance, also took the opportunity to clarify his positions during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. When questioned on his stance about Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran, Walz affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, although he refrained from supporting any specific preemptive actions.
Walz has come under fire recently for several past misstatements, including errors about his military service and claims regarding his family’s experience with infertility treatments. He addressed these issues directly, acknowledging that he has “misspoken” and pledging transparency with voters. Walz also contrasted his positions with those of the Republican ticket, pointing out that Vance’s platform could impact access to infertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI), which Walz and his wife used to conceive. “I think they’re probably far more concerned with that than my wife and I using IUI,” Walz said.
Harris and Walz on the Importance of Reproductive Health and Family Rights
Abortion and family planning are central to the Democratic ticket’s messaging this election season. Both Harris and Walz have underscored the need for safeguarding reproductive rights, contrasting their views with those of Trump and Vance. Harris advocates for what she describes as “responsible, empathetic” policies that protect women’s autonomy, while Walz touts legislation he signed as governor to enshrine reproductive freedoms for Minnesotans.
Meanwhile, Trump has called for leaving abortion laws to individual states, and Vance has softened his prior remarks about women without children, which he claims were misinterpreted. Nonetheless, Harris and Walz argue that the Republican stance risks limiting reproductive options and restricting family planning methods.
The Democratic Ticket’s Broader Strategy
The media push reflects a strategic shift as the Democratic ticket seeks to address voter concerns directly while countering Republican narratives. Harris and Walz are reaching audiences across various platforms to highlight their positions on issues from reproductive health to family values. By tapping into different media formats, Harris and Walz aim to engage voters and address key policy questions before Election Day.
