Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the economy as the top issue affecting women and talked about the need to prioritize \u201csoft power\u201d at a Saturday event ahead of the Michigan Democratic Party endorsement convention.<\/p>\n
Her comments also included calling President Donald Trump \u201cthis insecure man\u201d and his administration \u201cthe most corrupt, callous and incompetent\u2026 in the history of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harris spoke on the heels of a week spent hinting at a third bid for the presidency during events across the country. The former Democratic nominee for president in 2024 did not mention her ambitions during her short stop in Detroit on April 18.<\/p>\n
But her comments \u2013 focused on the economy, the Iran War and midterm voting \u2013 line up with those of a 2028 presidential hopeful. She spent a good portion of her approximately 20-minute speech criticizing Trump and contrasting their approaches to diplomatic relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to not just think of ourselves as benevolent, but as a partner,\u201d she said.
\nAt one point, Harris called the Iran War a \u201cfeeble attempt to distract from the Epstein files,\u201d referencing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein case. His administration\u2019s handling of the release of a trove of the files has drawn criticism.<\/p>\n
Harris also spoke about the economy as the top issue women should be paying attention to ahead of the midterms, calling it a reciprocal relationship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability of a woman to be healthy, the ability of a woman to be safe, is connected with her economic health and well-being and independence.\u201d Harris said.<\/p>\n
She told Michigan Democrats in attendance that when thinking about how to craft an agenda, it\u2019s important to remember that \u201ceconomic issues are women\u2019s issues, and women\u2019s issues are economic issues, and there is no separating the two.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harris was one of two keynote guest speakers advertised on a flyer to be attending the Michigan Democratic Party Women\u2019s Caucus legacy luncheon, along with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey.<\/p>\n
The event is part of the lead up to the party\u2019s Sunday, April 19, endorsement convention.
\nHarris took the stage a little before 2 p.m. There appeared to be long delays, with officials announcing at around 1:45 p.m. \u2014 before Harris went on \u2014 that they\u2019d have to vacate the room by 2:15 p.m.<\/p>\n
Several Michigan elected leaders gave speeches in the interim, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. He\u2019ll speak again on Saturday evening at a legacy dinner held to honor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one of several public visits by Harris to Michigan so far this year. In February, she stopped in Detroit for an appearance on her book tour.<\/p>\n
Harris was joined on stage by Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, who asked about the view of the Iran War from someone previously stationed inside the Oval Office.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much time do we have?\u201d Harris responded.
\nShe criticized Trump\u2019s decision to involve the U.S. in the Iran War, which she said he was pulled into by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim.<\/p>\n
Harris contrasted what she described as Trump\u2019s dismissal of diplomatic relations with her own time as vice president, when she said she met with over 150 world leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has, one, in the eyes of our allies, made us unreliable,\u201d Harris said. \u201cAnd two, he has eroded whatever influence we had to be able to speak to certain issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the country\u2019s \u201csoft power\u201d is vital, expressed through diplomatic relations and programs like USAID (United States Agency for International Development), which administers civilian foreign aid and has faced expansive cuts in Trump\u2019s second term.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe man doesn\u2019t understand what real strength looks like, and he overcompensates full time, trying to pretend that basically, he\u2019s some kind of mob boss,\u201d Harris said. She followed the statement with what appeared to be an impression of Trump.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking truth, being trustworthy, being consistent. He has failed on all accounts,\u201d she said, adding that \u201cnature abhors a vacuum,\u201d and countries like China will fill the void the U.S. has left behind.<\/p>\n
Harris said she believes the Democratic party is going to win the midterms, but added that it\u2019s going to be difficult, attributing the challenges to redistricting efforts in Republican-led states. Democrats have also pushed for redistricting.<\/p>\n
Harris also mentioned the SAVE Act, a bill now stalled in the U.S. Senate that would require people to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and require photo ID to vote in federal elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur work is cut out for us, Michigan Democrats,\u201d Harris said, urging voters to check their registration and polling location status.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re gonna win,\u201d she said, \u201cAnd the win is going to happen because of the Democrats right here in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Booker, who spoke before Harris, talked about his family ties to Detroit and the need to energize Democrats. He recalled his grandparents\u2019 experience joining a union in Detroit after moving there from the south during the Great Depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey could turn their pain into purpose,\u201d Booker said.
\nHe also encouraged Michigan voters to move away from the traditional \u201cMichigan hand\u201d gesture \u2014 used by locals to depict their state \u2014 and instead use the \u201cMichigan fist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want the Michigan hand after your convention,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026I want the Michigan fist. I want you all to unite. I want you to punch a hole in the wall of resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MDP convention is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., in Detroit. It\u2019s intended to give campaign and fundraising advantages to Democrats running for big statewide races like attorney general and secretary of state.<\/p>\n
Republicans held a similar convention last month. These conventions precede a more official nominating process in the fall.<\/p>\n
After credentialing and caucus meetings throughout the morning, convention business will begin at 3 p.m. A full schedule can be found online.<\/p>\n
To vote on endorsements at the Democratic convention, individuals must be members of the party for at least 30 days prior to the event.<\/p>\n
Membership is open and does not require a financial contribution, but members must complete the party\u2019s credentialing process in order to vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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