Kamala Harris picked her method via a number of sticky topics in a Tuesday evening TV interview, together with her account of being ghosted by Gov. Gavin Newsom when she referred to as for his assist throughout her temporary, unsuccessful 2024 presidential marketing campaign.
On the eve of the general public launch of her guide detailing that marketing campaign, Harris spoke with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on her relationship with Newsom in addition to the redistricting poll measure Californians will vote on in November — and he or she additionally hailed “the facility of the folks” in getting Jimmy Kimmel again on ABC.
Kimmel was indefinitely suspended final week by the Walt Disney Co. over remarks he made in regards to the suspect within the taking pictures of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. After fierce protests, customers asserting subscription cancellations, and lots of of celebrities talking out in opposition to authorities censorship, Disney introduced Monday that Kimmel would return on ABC the next day.
“Speak in regards to the energy being with the folks and the folks making that clear with their checkbooks,” Harris mentioned of Kimmel’s return. “It spoke volumes, and it moved a choice in the appropriate course.”
Harris was talking with Maddow about her new guide, “107 Days,” which particulars her quick dash of a presidential marketing campaign in 2024 after then-President Biden determined to not search reelection.
The guide discloses which Democrats instantly supported her to turn into the Democratic nominee, and which didn’t, notably Newsom. She wrote that, when she referred to as, he texted her that he was climbing and would name her again however by no means did.
After Maddow raised the anecdote within the opening of the present, Harris mentioned she had identified Newsom “perpetually.”
“Gavin has an incredible humorousness so, you recognize, he’s gonna be tremendous,” Harris mentioned.
Newsom was icier when requested by a reporter in regards to the interplay — or lack thereof — on Friday.
“You need to waste your time with this, we’ll do it,” Newsom mentioned, including that he was climbing when he obtained a name from an unknown quantity, whilst he was making an attempt to study extra about Biden’s determination to not run for reelection whereas additionally asking his group to craft a press release supporting Harris to be the Democratic nominee. “I assume that’s within the guide as effectively — that, hours later, the endorsement got here out.”
Harris introduced up Newsom when requested about Proposition 50, the redistricting poll measure championed by the governor and different California Democrats that voters will determine in November. If accepted, the state’s congressional districts might be redrawn in an effort to spice up Democratic seats in the home to counter efforts by President Trump to extend the variety of Republicans elected in GOP-led states.
“Let me say about what [Newsom] is doing, redistricting, it’s completely the appropriate technique to go. A part of what we’ve acquired to, I believe, problem ourselves to just accept, is that we are inclined to play by the principles,” Harris mentioned. “However I believe it is a second the place you gotta battle hearth with hearth. And so what Gavin is doing, what the California Legislature is doing, what those that are supporting it are doing is to say, ‘You understand what, you need to play, then let’s get within the discipline. Let’s get within the enviornment, and let’s do that.’ And I assist that.”
However Harris was extra cautious when requested about different electoral contests, notably the New York Metropolis mayoral race. Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic nominee and has massive leads within the polls over different candidates within the race, together with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
Requested whether or not she backed Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, Harris was measured.
“Look, so far as I’m involved, he’s the Democratic nominee, and he ought to be supported,” Harris mentioned, prompting Maddow to ask whether or not she endorsed him.
“I assist the Democrat within the race, certain,” she replied. “However let me simply say this, he’s not the one star. … I hope that we don’t so over-index on New York Metropolis that we lose sight of the celebs all through our nation.”
Harris, who introduced this summer season that she wouldn’t run for California governor subsequent 12 months, demurred when requested about whether or not she would run for president for a 3rd time in 2028.
“That’s not my focus proper now,” she mentioned.
