Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday downplayed the idea that sexism is a factor in the US presidential race. In her recent interview with NBC News, Harris asserted that America is “absolutely” ready for a woman and a woman of color to be president.
This comes as new University poll show a gender gap in support between Harris and former President Trump.
“Do you think the country is ready now for a woman and a woman of color to be president?” Jackson asked, referencing when Harris felt in 2019 that the “elephant in the room” was whether the country was ready for such a person in the White House.
Harris said America is “absolutely” ready.
“And I am seeing that in terms of every walk of life of our country. You know, I think part of what is important in this election is really not only turning the page, but closing the page and the chapter on an era that suggests that Americans are divided,” Harris said.
When asked about her reluctance to emphasize the historic nature of her candidacy, Harris laughed and said, “I don’t need to point that out to anyone.”
The Democratic hopeful asserted that her focus is on listening to and addressing the concerns, challenges, dreams, ambitions, and aspirations of the American people, rather than constantly focusing on herself like Donald Trump.
Jackson pressed further, asking if Harris believed sexism was at play in the race, given the gender gap in support.
“The experience that I am having is one in which it is clear that regardless of someone’s gender, they want to know that their president has a plan to lower costs, that their president has a plan to secure America in the context of our position around the world,” Harris responded.
When Jackson asked directly if Harris saw sexism as a factor in the race, the Vice President said, “I don’t think of it that way. My challenge is the challenge of making sure I can talk with and listen to as many voters as possible and earn their vote.” She emphasized that she would never assume anyone should elect a leader based on their gender or race.
