On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris finally addressed the recent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
This marked her first public statement about the shooting, which occurred last Saturday.
Harris made her comments before joining a roundtable discussion on abortion rights in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “It was a dreadful, despicable act,” she said.
“Doug and I are relieved that he wasn’t seriously hurt.”
During her address, Harris expressed concern for Melania Trump.
“When we first heard about what happened, we prayed for his safety,” Harris noted. “Our thoughts immediately went to Melania and their family.”
Harris and Melania Trump had met before at former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s funeral last November.
Safety for Public Figures
Harris also highlighted her shared anxiety about the safety of those in public office.
“No one should have to worry about the safety of their loved ones because they serve in public roles,” she stated.
She urged Americans to uphold the traditions of peaceful democracy while continuing to debate important issues.
“Violence is never acceptable,” she said.
“However, the essence of American democracy is the vigorous exchange of ideas.”
Campaign Strategy Reset
It seemed like Harris was using this address to reframe her campaign message after being notably absent from the public eye for three days following the Trump shooting.
She criticized Trump for misleading voters with his stance on abortion rights and invoked historical parallels.
“Historians will recognize the significance of pushing for states’ rights, but let’s set that aside for now,” she commented.
Rising Profile and Democratic Concerns
With increasing worries among Democrats about President Biden’s potential re-election bid—particularly after his challenging debate performance and age concerns—Harris’s profile has been rising.
As the likely successor if Biden steps down, Democrats appear to be considering her more seriously.
A recent YouGov/Economist poll revealed that 79 percent of Democrats would support Harris as the nominee if Biden chose not to run.
Additionally, Rep. Adam Schiff, who is campaigning for the Senate in California, has called for Biden to step aside. “A second Trump presidency would threaten the core of our democracy, and I have significant doubts about whether the President can defeat him in November,” Schiff said in a statement.
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