New Orleans
CNN
—
Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday put the focus on the dangers of a second Trump administration, rather than the growing concerns over President Joe Biden’s candidacy, as she attempted to convince Black voters to once again deliver a win for the Biden-Harris ticket.
“This is probably the most significant election of our lifetime,” Harris said during a moderated conversation at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, claiming that former President Donald Trump has “openly” expressed “his intention to be a dictator on Day 1” if reelected.
Harris’ stop at the annual Black music and cultural festival comes as the Biden campaign works to revive a corner of the coalition that helped propel the president to the White House in 2020.
Harris attempted to convince festival attendees that “we can see it through” if they once again vote in record numbers.
“People voted in record numbers in 2020. This is what was able to happen, and when everyone votes in those numbers again in 122 days, we can see it through,” Harris said.
The vice president was able to avoid talking about worries within her own party Saturday as the moderator did not specifically ask about concerns over Biden’s reelection bid. Meanwhile, other Biden surrogates at the event tackled the issue head-on, throwing their support behind the president and telling voters that he’s not going anywhere.
Rep. Joyce Beatty argued that Biden shouldn’t withdraw from the race just because of one debate.
“We’ve all had a bad day,” the Ohio Democrat said, later adding: “Don’t go out there turning your back on this president.”
California Rep. Maxine Waters emphasized, “Biden is not going anywhere.”
When asked whether she would support Harris — a fellow Californian — if the president were to drop out, Waters said, “We’re focused on Biden. We’re focused on the fact that not only has he done a good job, that we anticipate that he’s going to continue.”
“Keep the ticket the way it is. Her time will come. … Stick with the game plan. You had a plan; stick with the plan. The plan worked before; it will work again,” said Jeri Peris, a New Orleans resident.
Peris said Biden’s poor debate performance was “a one-off,” adding, “Everybody gets sick. He’s a good president. He’s a good man. He’s done great things. Everyone has an off day.”
Laura Morgan Roberts of Washington, DC, said it’s a “no-brainer” that she will vote for Biden in November, but added, “I am 100% confident in Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability, commitment, desire to lead the country and do what’s best for our people.”
“We’re here all working together and I think it almost seems personal,” Buxton said. “I just don’t think that they should bring him down.”
