Vice President Kamala Harris discussed a wide range of topics during a live interview with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) on Tuesday.
Harris answered questions from three members of the NABJ in Philadelphia.
The vice president’s appearance comes after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sat down for an NABJ interview in July.
During Harris’ interview, moderators appeared frustrated when they tried to keep her on topic. Harris often said, “Let me finish,” as they tried to interrupt her several times, which created somewhat tense moments during the interview.
Gerren Keith Gaynor of the Grio, Eugene Daniels of Politico, and Tonya Mosley of WHYY’s Fresh Air were moderators. NABJ worked with PolitiFact to provide live, fact-checking updates during the event.
Throughout the interview, Harris touted the accomplishments of the Biden–Harris administration and cited the creation of new jobs and investment in small businesses.
Support Among Black Voters
Harris told the moderators she would not assume she has the support of black voters when asked about a new NAACP poll.
The survey showed that 63 percent of black voters plan to support Harris, compared with 13 percent for Trump. It surveyed 1,000 registered Black voters across the country from Aug. 6 to Aug. 12.
The poll also showed that 26 percent of Black men younger than 50 back Trump, while Harris has 49 percent support. For Black men over 50, 77 percent backed Harris.
“Black men are like any other voting group,” Harris said. “You got to earn their vote.”
The vice president said she is working to earn their support.
Notably, 78 percent of black voters are feeling the same, or more excited than when President Obama first ran, with more 56 percent being more excited now than in 2008, according to the NAACP poll.
According to Harris, one in four black families are likely to carry medical debt. She said that the Biden administration has proposed to eliminate medical debt from affecting an individual’s credit score.
Prescription Drug Prices
Harris said that black people are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
PolitiFact confirmed that in 2018, black adults were 60 percent more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician, according to CDC data.
Harris said she was proud that the Biden administration capped the monthly price of insulin for Medicare enrollees at $35 per month starting in 2023 under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that President Joe Biden signed in 2022. On the campaign trail, Harris has often touted that she cast the tie-breaking vote in Congress for the IRA.
Gaza War
Regarding the Gaza war, Harris said Israel has the right to defend itself, but at the same time, Palestinian people, particularly women and children, have suffered from the violence.
“Not only must we end this war, but we have to have a goal of a two-state solution,” Harris said, further calling for a hostage and cease-fire deal as quickly as possible.
Harris said, “One of the things that we have done that I am entirely supportive of is the pause that we put on the 2,000-pound bombs” for Israel.
PolitiFact, in its fact-checking response, said that in May, the Biden administration paused one shipment of 500-pound and 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to concerns about Palestinian civilian casualties. The move did not halt overall U.S. military aid to Israel. In July, the Biden administration allowed the shipment of the 500-pound bombs, according to PolitiFact.
Harris Reached Out to Trump
Harris said that she called Trump to check in with him after a second apparent assassination attempt while he was playing golf Sunday. Trump was safely evacuated from the area and unharmed. The suspect has been arrested and faces firearms charges.
A White House official confirmed to reporters that Harris spoke directly with Trump to express that she is grateful he is safe.
“It was a cordial and brief conversation,” according to the White House.