Harris Launches Reproductive Freedoms Tour
On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris gave a glimpse into one of the first significant initiatives of the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign. Speaking to MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, Harris expressed her staunch support for reproductive rights and criticized former President Donald Trump. She announced her “reproductive freedoms tour,” which will kick off in January, marking the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
“I will be engaging with individuals from all walks of life and political affiliations across the country to discuss the consensus that one’s faith or deeply held beliefs need not be compromised to agree that the government should not dictate what a woman does with her body,” Harris stated.
Democrats Hope Abortion Rights Will Energize Voters
Despite President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings and trailing behind Trump in hypothetical match-ups in several key battleground states, Democrats are optimistic that the issue of abortion rights will galvanize voters. This follows the Supreme Court’s decision last year to overturn Roe, which sparked a surge of voter interest.
Harris painted a grim picture of the current state of reproductive healthcare in the country, stating, “There are women having miscarriages in toilets. There are women who cannot afford to travel to a state that will provide them with the healthcare they need, and they are suffering.”
2024 Elections: A Pivotal Moment for Reproductive Rights
Harris emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections for the future of reproductive rights. “I firmly believe that this issue will be resolved in November of next year because I know that the American people champion freedom and support a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body,” she said.
She framed the choice as a “binary decision” between those who trust women to make decisions in their best interests, like herself and President Biden, and those who advocate for a national ban on abortion, denying even survivors of rape or incest the right to decide what happens to their bodies.
Abortion: A Key Issue for 2024 Election
Biden’s campaign officials see abortion as a crucial issue for general election voters in 2024, and they believe they have the advantage. They point to the high turnout and enthusiasm among Democratic voters in recent elections as evidence.
Harris Draws Contrast with Trump
Harris, the daughter of immigrants, also took the opportunity to draw a stark contrast with Trump, the GOP’s front-runner. Responding to his recent comments about immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country,” she said, “I was raised knowing that some people will use their voice to dehumanize others.”
“This kind of language is designed to divide us. Many people have rightly compared it to the language of Hitler. It’s crucial that we remind each other, including our children, that the true measure of a leader’s strength is not who they oppress, but who they uplift,” Harris added. “Unfortunately, there’s a perverse notion that has taken root in our country in recent years, suggesting that strength resembles a bully. In reality, a true leader is someone who empathizes, cares for others’ suffering, and takes action to alleviate that suffering.”