What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
Weekend Recap: October 26-27, 2024
Norah O'Donnell of CBS Evening News spent two days on the campaign trail with Vice President Kamala Harris, traveling through Texas and Michigan to gain insight into Harris’s campaign priorities. Harris, who has been vocal about reproductive rights, identified restoring Roe v. Wade as her first priority if elected president. She emphasized the impact of Texas’s restrictive abortion laws and the broader implications for women's health and autonomy, noting that she would sign legislation codifying Roe v. Wade protections if Congress passed such a bill. During a rally in Houston, where Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” set the tone, Harris addressed a crowd of 30,000, underscoring her commitment to the cause by declaring, "I'm not here as a celebrity; I'm here as a mother." She argued that Texas has become “Ground Zero” in the battle for reproductive rights, pointing to the Texas Attorney General’s recent lawsuit against the federal government over abortion laws.
Harris also took aim at former President Donald Trump, accusing him of laying the groundwork for restrictive policies that have had profound impacts on women across the country. She criticized his role in selecting Supreme Court justices who ultimately helped overturn Roe v. Wade. Harris outlined the negative consequences of these changes, such as women being denied critical healthcare during miscarriages or after rape, leading to severe health issues like sepsis. She argued that these restrictions had caused unnecessary suffering and stated that her administration would prioritize the restoration of these protections. O'Donnell pressed Harris to clarify her position on potential limitations on abortion rights, to which Harris reiterated her desire to return to the original protections of Roe v. Wade without specifying additional restrictions.
On the economic front, Harris warned about the potential implications of Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda associated with Trump’s allies. She argued that the blueprint outlines a vision to curtail Social Security, Medicare, and other social welfare programs. Harris voiced concerns that Trump’s policies would undermine the economic stability of American seniors, specifically criticizing Trump’s proposal to raise the eligibility age for Social Security and eliminate the $35 cap on insulin. Though Trump has publicly distanced himself from Project 2025, Harris insisted that the former president’s influence is embedded in the agenda, noting that Trump’s running mate contributed a foreword to the project’s proposal.
In the campaign's final days, Harris will deliver a significant address from Washington, D.C., directly contrasting her vision with Trump's. She chose to speak from the nation's capital, the White House, as a reminder of what is at stake in this election. Harris expressed that the choice for Americans is a clear one, with the potential for either Trump or herself to occupy the Oval Office come January 20. Although CBS has invited Trump to participate in a similar interview to discuss his platform and plans, he has declined to accept the offer.
In her Kalamazoo campaign rally, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a passionate speech. Introduced by former first lady Michelle Obama, Harris expressed gratitude to supporters and highlighted her long-standing friendship with Obama, describing her as an "inspiration" and "truth teller." She commended attendees for prioritizing the event, celebrating the collective spirit of community, and coalition-building among the audience. Acknowledging local leaders, Harris gave special thanks to former Republican Congressman Fred Upton, who endorsed her campaign, citing their mutual commitment to unity, economic strength, and progress.
Harris then outlined her extensive career in public service, from prosecutor to Attorney General of California to Senator and now Vice President, showcasing her history of taking on powerful adversaries and achieving meaningful victories. She signaled her readiness to continue this fight against former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the urgency of the upcoming election. Harris stressed that the race remained tight with just ten days left, calling the election one of the most consequential in recent history. She emphasized her confidence in the power of hard work and optimism, rallying the crowd with the slogan "Yes, we can" and emphasizing that victory was within reach if they united in the fight for America’s future.
Addressing key issues, Harris highlighted her plans to tackle the high cost of living, including lowering prices on essentials like prescription drugs, housing, and groceries, contrasting her economic approach with Trump’s. She criticized his past financial failures and claimed his proposed policies would raise costs, increase inflation, and risk recession. Harris detailed her middle-class upbringing, sharing how her mother’s sacrifices have shaped her perspective on supporting working families, lowering living costs, and ensuring economic stability for all Americans. Harris pledged to fight corporate price gouging and expand social safety nets like Medicare, specifically to cover home health care for seniors, a measure she said would ease the burdens of the “sandwich generation” caring for children and aging parents.
In a sharp critique of Trump’s record on reproductive rights, Harris accused him of appointing Supreme Court justices specifically to dismantle Roe v. Wade, leading to abortion restrictions in multiple states without exceptions for rape or incest. She labeled these restrictions as "immoral" and vowed to restore reproductive rights if elected. Harris connected these policies to broader Republican attacks on personal freedoms, including voting rights, healthcare, and environmental protections, characterizing her campaign as a defense of these hard-won rights.
To Gen Z and other young voters, Harris offered support and admiration, recognizing their activism and personal investment in issues like climate action and gun control. She acknowledged the unique pressures facing young people today and celebrated their impatience for change, calling them to exercise their right to vote. With a pledge to carry forward the legacy of past generations who fought for freedom, Harris encouraged every voter to see their voice as a powerful tool for change.
Harris closed with a stark warning against Trump’s return, suggesting he poses a threat to democratic norms and would use unchecked power to divide the nation further. She contrasted this with her vision of leadership focused on accountability, progress, and addressing the needs of American families. Urging Michiganders to vote early, she reminded them that their vote represents their voice and their voice is power. Ending with calls for unity, patriotism, and dedication to American ideals, Harris declared the election a fight for the soul of the nation. She encouraged everyone to stand ready to "fight for the promise of America."
Vice President Harris spent Sunday in Philadelphia, giving remarks at the Church of Christian Compassion in West Philadelphia and at the Alan Horwitz "Sixth Man" Center.
President Biden and Vice President Harris both marked the sixth anniversary of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting by honoring the victims and highlighting their administration's efforts to counter Antisemitism and hate crimes. President Biden remembered the 11 worshippers killed and praised the Jewish community’s resilience, including the recent groundbreaking of a museum at the synagogue site to educate on Antisemitism’s history in America. He emphasized his administration’s support for Jewish institutions and the establishment of the first National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, increased security funding, and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Vice President Harris echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the rising global Antisemitism and linking it to recent events in Israel. She highlighted her ongoing commitment to Jewish security, underscoring her work against hate crimes as a prosecutor and the administration’s funding for Jewish institutions. Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to combatting hate and ensuring places of worship are secure for all.
Vice President Harris gives remarks at a campaign event in Philadelphia, PA
