The state remains a close race between the vice president and Donald Trump, with the two separated by less than 1 percent as of Friday. (Kamala Harish)
Kamala Harris, in an interview with 6abc Action News’ Brian Taff in Philadelphia, reiterated many of the points she made during Tuesday’s debate and throughout her short campaign, including her stance on guns.
In an 11-minute interview that aired on ABC affiliates on Friday, the Democratic presidential candidate spoke about gun control, uniting Americans and her goal of creating an “opportunity economy.”
“Most Americans want a leader who will bring us together as Americans, not someone who pretends to be a leader who is going to get us to blame each other,” Harris said in response to a question about what she would do to reach Trump supporters. “I think people are tired of that approach.”
The interview aired as Donald Trump visited Harris’ home state of California, where he held a news conference in the coastal city of Rancho Palos Verdes, about 30 miles southwest of Los Angeles.
Later that day, President Trump headed north to attend a fundraiser hosted by Tom Siebel, the billionaire cousin of Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Harris also reiterated that she and Walz are gun owners and believe they can respect the Second Amendment while pursuing and implementing longstanding demands such as a ban on so-called assault weapons and universal background checks for gun purchases. “We’re not taking away anybody’s guns,” she said.
“I strongly believe that the argument for a ban on assault weapons is consistent with the Second Amendment. They are literally tools of war, literally designed to kill a lot of people quickly.”
Harris also promoted her own economic plan, which she said was heavily influenced by her middle-class upbringing. “We have ambitions and hopes, but not everyone necessarily has access to the resources that can help fuel those hopes and aspirations,” she said.
If elected, Harris said she would increase the child tax credit, giving parents $6,000 in the first year of a child’s life, increase the small business tax credit from $5,000 to $50,000, and provide $25,000 assistance to first-time homebuyers.
In Pennsylvania, which has attracted a lot of attention from both candidates, Harris held a rally in Wilkes-Barre, 32 miles from Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton. In Pennsylvania, Harris and Trump are in a close race, with the presidential polling average at 538 as of Friday afternoon, separating them by less than one point.
Harris also visited Classic Elements Cafe and Bookstore and told reporters, “I feel very good about Pennsylvania because there are a lot of people in Pennsylvania who deserve to be seen and heard.” Harris was interrupted at least three times by protesters, including some commenting on the Gaza war.
Harris also announced a new policy that would do away with college degree requirements for some federal jobs.
“As president, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs and increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree, understanding that requiring a certain degree does not necessarily talk about one’s skills,” she told the crowd.
