Detroit — Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about everything from the Democrats’ chances to flip Congress blue to her favorite things to cook now that she has more free time during a moderated discussion on Friday night.
Harris, 61, spoke for an hour, stressing the need for neighbors to look after one another, saying President Donald Trump has worked to dismantle safety nets like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to cut the federal departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development.
The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee said those efforts are the “high-velocity” peak of a decades-long attack on the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. Harris said the under Trump, the nation has grown more divided.
“It’s more than ‘Can I trust that I don’t need to lock my front door?’ It’s, ‘Can I trust that you are not a threat to my very existence?'” Harris said.
Trump claimed the presidency in 2024 by winning key battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which went from Trump 49.7% to 48.3%. Michigan flipped from blue to red after helping the Biden-Harris ticket win the White House in 2020.
The event was moderated by Jemele Hill, a former Detroit Free Press reporter and columnist. After Hill asked about challenges specific to Detroit’s impoverished community, Harris called on Detroiters to get engaged in their community, volunteer and look after their neighbors.
“When you feel powerless, you are powerless,” Harris said. “And when you feel powerful, you are powerful.”
Harris made the Detroit stop to promote her new memoir, “107 Days.” The book’s title refers to the period between when former President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on July 21, 2024, and Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.
When asked about her advice to the next president, Harris took the opportunity to do some salesmanship.
“Read my book,” she said with a laugh.
A near-capacity crowd at the Fillmore Detroit exploded in applause when Harris took the stage almost an hour and a half later than the expected 7 p.m. start time. An announcer at the venue said the delay was due to long lines at the entrance.
Among those in attendance were Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and U.S. Rep. Shri Thaneder.
Harris’ message struck a chord with attendees.
“She was very inspiring about the importance for me to take action and to expect things of my Congresspeople,” Sharon Pedersen of Troy said. “We put them there so they should listen to us.”
On a lighter note, Hill asked Harris about her favorite comfort meals to cook. Roast chicken and red beans and rice, the former vice president said.
Her husband Doug, she said, “has been very happy because I am cooking a lot. I like to cook and he likes to eat so it works out very well.”
When Hill asked about a potential presidential run in 2028, drawing a roar from the crowd, Harris demurred.
“I’m here to promote by book,” Harris said with a laugh.
Supporters said they’d be happy to see Harris back in Washington.
“Right now we’re so divided … I think a leader like her would be excellent right now,” said Felecia McDaniel of Detroit.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
@max_detroitnews
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Harris calls on Detroiters to look after neighbors, engage each other
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
