At a Kalamazoo, Michigan, rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, former first lady Michelle Obama implied that those hesitant to back Harris may be influenced by racial or gender biases. Obama expressed surprise that the presidential race between Harris and former President Donald Trump is “so close,” describing Harris as an “extraordinary human being” and a candidate she believes would be “an extraordinary president.”
“Kamala Harris is an extraordinary candidate, and she will be an extraordinary president of the United States,” Obama stated, questioning, “So why on earth is this race even close?” She suggested that Harris has proven her capabilities repeatedly and that the real question is whether the country is “ready for this moment” to support her fully. Obama went on to urge the crowd not to get distracted by “scams” and to focus on the stakes of the election, expressing both “hope” and “genuine fear” for Harris’s chances.
🚨Michele Obama suggests Americans who don’t vote to elect Kamala Harris are sexist and racist:
“I lay awake at night wondering what in the world is going on. The qustion for me isn’t whether Kamala is ready for this moment…the real question is, as a country, are we ready for… pic.twitter.com/4Muun9vhZ2
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) October 26, 2024
This sentiment isn’t unique to Obama. Prominent Democrats, including former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, have also suggested that Harris faces challenges rooted in racism and sexism, particularly among certain demographics. Abrams recently stated that Harris encounters discrimination, noting that “there is sexism” and “there is racism” influencing male voters. Similarly, Harris herself has voiced concerns, suggesting in an MSNBC interview that opposition from male voters might stem from misogynistic views.
With these challenges in mind, Obama underscored the importance of unwavering support from voters who believe in Harris’s vision, stating that “the consequences if we come up short” are serious for the country’s future.