Jimmy Williams
In an exclusive interview with NBC News’ Hallie Jackson on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris laid out her vision for the country, emphasizing her economic agenda, dismissing concerns about sexism in the upcoming election, and affirming her commitment to reproductive rights. The interview, which took place at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., was part of Harris’ ongoing outreach to voters as she campaigns to become the first female and woman of color president in U.S. history.
Economic Plan Focused on Lowering Costs
Harris addressed voters’ concerns about the economy, acknowledging that while costs remain high, particularly for groceries and housing, she has a clear plan to bring those prices down. “The cost of groceries is still too high. The voters know it, I know it,” Harris said, adding that her plan involves tackling price gouging and creating incentives for housing construction to reduce costs.
She also highlighted her proposal for a $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, along with expanding the Child Tax Credit to support young parents. Harris made it clear that her presidency would not be a “continuation” of the Biden administration, stating, “I bring my own experiences, my own ideas… My plans are focused on working people, the middle class, and what we must do to strengthen hard-working people.”
Sexism Not a Concern for Harris
When asked if she believes sexism could impact her candidacy, Harris brushed off the notion, focusing instead on her commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to voters. “I don’t think of it that way. My challenge is making sure I can talk with and listen to as many voters as possible and earn their vote,” Harris said.
She expressed confidence that the country is ready for a woman of color in the White House, saying, “The vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us… What the American people want in their president is a president for all Americans.”
Uncompromising on Abortion Rights
On the topic of abortion, Harris reaffirmed her stance that the right to choose is “nonnegotiable.” She criticized the current restrictions on abortion in various states, calling them “Trump abortion bans” and emphasizing that they criminalize healthcare providers. Harris stated, “We need to put back in the protections of Roe v. Wade, and that is it.”
While she left the door open for working with Republicans on other issues, Harris was clear that there would be no compromise on fundamental reproductive rights, saying, “I don’t think we should be making concessions when we’re talking about a fundamental freedom to make decisions about your own body.”
Pushing Back on Trump’s Attacks
Throughout the interview, Harris also pushed back against former President Donald Trump’s attacks and misinformation, including his claims about her stance on gender-affirming care for transgender Americans. Harris emphasized that Trump’s campaign is focused on distracting voters from the real issues, such as healthcare and the economy. “Donald Trump is running tens of millions of dollars in ads to distract from the fact that his plan is to take away the Affordable Care Act… His plan is to get rid of the Department of Education,” Harris said.
As the November election nears, Harris remains focused on presenting herself as a leader with solutions for the challenges facing Americans, while making the case that a Trump presidency would reverse the progress made on key issues.