Kamala Harris Urges High Turnout, Criticizes Trump During Midterm Campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris has been actively campaigning for Democratic candidates in the final stretch of the midterm elections, making stops in seven states and emphasizing the need for high voter turnout. During her engagements, Harris also offered sharp critiques of former President Donald Trump, describing him as "callous, corrupt and incompetent."

Harris's recent two-day visit to Georgia included remarks at a Democratic fundraising gala in Atlanta. She urged voters to "turn that anger into action" and echoed a sentiment often used by Trump, stating that the party needs to achieve a turnout "too big to rig" to ensure election integrity. Harris, who served as Vice President under Joe Biden after their 2020 victory, also addressed the emotional toll of recent political events on Democrats, acknowledging feelings of "anger, depression, sadness, frustration, a sense of helplessness and powerlessness."

Her campaign tour included visits to early presidential primary states such as Nevada, New Hampshire, and Michigan, as well as Mississippi. Harris highlighted the potential for Democratic victories in the South, asserting, "When Democrats invest in the South, we can win in the South."

In Georgia, Harris drew connections to civil rights history, criticizing the Supreme Court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act. She argued that this ruling has enabled Republicans to redraw congressional district boundaries, potentially impacting the election of non-white lawmakers. Harris called for "ruthlessness" in the pursuit of progress, defining it not as cruelty but as a "willingness to use our power to deliver on our commitments," and asserting that Democrats "can no longer let process stand in the way of progress."

Beyond immediate electoral concerns, Harris advocated for significant structural changes to American democracy. These proposals include expanding the U.S. Supreme Court, granting statehood to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and reconsidering the Electoral College system. As the first Black woman elected to national office, Harris also encouraged Black Americans to vote to "honor the ancestors," while also adopting a "transactional" approach in demanding more from political leaders.