New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker defended Vice President Kamala Harris for portraying herself as a candidate of change despite coming from the incumbent administration during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Booker pointed out that although Democrats have controlled the White House for 12 of the last 16 years, the influence of former President Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans in Congress still persists, hindering the progress of pragmatic policies that need to be implemented, such as the failed Senate border security deal. Booker criticized Trump for appointing individuals to the Supreme Court who are rolling back fundamental rights and freedoms, like bodily autonomy and reproductive rights.
During the Democratic National Convention, Harris positioned herself as the candidate who would address issues such as the rising cost of living and the border crisis. She emphasized the importance of charting a new way forward for the country. In response, Trump questioned why Harris hadn’t already taken action on these issues, particularly referring to the border crisis and suggesting that she could resolve it immediately. Harris has been working to redefine herself before the general election, making stylistic deviations while not abandoning President Biden’s policies. The Israel-Hamas conflict has been a contentious issue within the party and has posed challenges for Harris and Biden.
Booker defended Harris’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict by stating that she is part of an administration working to end the conflict and prevent it from spreading into the region. Harris assured attendees at the convention that she and Biden were working to secure Israel, release hostages, end suffering in Gaza, and uphold the dignity of the Palestinian people. Despite criticism about not having a Palestinian speaker at the convention, Booker avoided directly addressing the issue. Despite polling suggesting a more optimistic outlook for Democrats, Booker believes that Harris is right to see herself as the underdog in the election, facing tough competition but still holding momentum and energy to win.
Booker praised Democrats for infusing joyfulness into their convention and moving away from negative cynicism about America. He emphasized the need to take pride in the nation’s accomplishments while acknowledging challenges and real problems that need to be addressed. As the election season progresses, Booker believes that the Democrats have the energy and momentum to compete effectively with their opponents, viewing the race as winnable despite facing significant challenges. With the election approaching, Harris continues to navigate her role as a candidate for change while being a part of the current administration, aiming to present a vision for the country’s future that resonates with voters.
