As the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris is sharing personal stories about her life, cooking, and favorite foods in an effort to connect with voters ahead of the 2024 election. Known as a “foodie,” Harris has talked about making pancakes for her family and revealed that nacho cheese Doritos are her favorite snack. She has shared her love for caramel cake, recounted her childhood experiences in a school band, and even humorously mentioned washing collard greens in the bathtub. These personal anecdotes are part of her strategy to introduce herself to voters and show a more relatable side, as Republicans criticize her for not providing enough policy details. Harris hopes that by opening up about her personal life, she can better connect with voters and demonstrate that she understands their everyday concerns.
QUICK READ
- Kamala Harris is sharing personal stories to connect with voters ahead of the 2024 election.
- She has discussed her love for cooking, including making pancakes and collard greens.
- Harris revealed nacho cheese Doritos as her go-to snack and caramel as her favorite flavor.
- She recounted childhood experiences, like playing in the school band and working at McDonald’s.
- Harris hopes these personal details will help her relate to voters and showcase a more relatable, human side.
- Her efforts come as Republicans criticize her for not offering enough policy specifics.
Harris shares personal stories, love for cooking to connect with voters
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
As the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris faces the challenge of introducing herself to voters before her opponent, Donald Trump, defines her in the final stretch of the 2024 campaign. Although she has served as vice president since 2021, Harris remains somewhat of a political enigma on the national stage, partly due to her tendency to avoid the spotlight and reluctance to share personal details.
To counter this, Harris has been opening up about her personal life, especially her love for cooking, in an effort to connect with voters on a more relatable level. Since joining the top of the Democratic ticket this summer, her campaign has focused on showing a more private side of Harris, hoping it will help voters see her as a relatable person who understands their concerns.
Food has been a central theme in this strategy. Harris has long been known as a “foodie” who enjoys cooking, and it was during a morning spent making pancakes for her niece’s children that she received the call from President Joe Biden informing her that he was dropping out of the race, thrusting her into the role of the Democratic nominee.
From sharing her love of nacho cheese Doritos to recounting stories of washing collard greens in her bathtub, Harris is offering voters a glimpse into her personal life in a way that’s rarely seen from presidential candidates. While these anecdotes alone may not sway undecided voters, they aim to paint Harris as someone who can connect with everyday people and their experiences.
“She’s trying to show voters that she’s not just a politician but a full person,” said Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University. “These small moments help humanize her.”
A Sweet Tooth for Caramel
While on a campaign stop at Dottie’s Market in Savannah, Georgia, Harris couldn’t resist getting excited over a particular dessert. “What is that cake?” Harris asked when she spotted a chocolate caramel cake on the counter. When the employee confirmed it was her favorite flavor, Harris eagerly asked for a slice, exclaiming, “Caramel is like my favorite. Oh, chocolate and caramel? Fantastic!”
School Band Memories
During a visit to Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Georgia, Harris stopped by a marching band practice and offered some encouraging words to the students. Drawing from her own childhood experience, she shared, “I was in band when I was your age.” She praised the students for their hard work and dedication, saying, “Sometimes you hit the note; sometimes you don’t. But all that practice makes for beautiful music.”
Though Harris didn’t specify which instrument she played, an aide later revealed that she had tried her hand at multiple instruments, including the French horn, xylophone, and kettle drums.
Washing Greens in the Tub
In a conversation with Mashama Bailey, a chef at The Grey in Savannah, Harris shared her secret recipe for collard greens—a dish she often prepared for a friend’s annual Christmas Eve party. In a humorous twist, Harris confessed that she used to wash her massive batches of greens in the bathtub. “I am not lying to you. I would make so many greens that I’d need to wash them in the bathtub,” she laughed.
Her recipe involves starting with rendered bacon fat, garlic, chili peppers, water, and chicken stock before adding the greens, which simmer for a couple of hours. She finishes the dish with a splash of vinegar and a dash of Tabasco sauce.
McDonald’s Beginnings
In her efforts to connect with working-class voters, Harris has shared that she once worked at McDonald’s during her college years. At a rally in Las Vegas, she mentioned that she spent a summer making French fries and working the cash register at the fast-food giant.
“I had a summer job at McDonald’s,” Harris said, trying to emphasize her understanding of the struggles faced by many working-class Americans. She added that her mother, Shyamala, saved for a decade to buy their first home when Harris was 13.
Doritos and Root Beer
When it comes to snacks, Harris is all about simplicity. During a campaign stop at a Sheetz convenience store in Pennsylvania, she revealed her go-to snack—nacho cheese Doritos. She held up a bag, saying, “This is my go-to, the original.” As for her beverage of choice, Harris confessed a fondness for root beer, while her husband, Doug Emhoff, prefers Diet Coke.
By sharing these lighthearted and personal stories, Harris hopes to show voters that she’s relatable and down-to-earth. With the 2024 election approaching, her campaign is betting that voters will appreciate this personal touch as they weigh their choices at the ballot box.
