Staff Reports
Vice President Kamala Harris recently appeared on the “All the Smoke” podcast with hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, using the platform to pivot her campaign narrative during this critical pre-election period. With a mere 40 days left until the 2024 election, Harris is on a mission to smooth out her public image and connect with voters more personally, a tactic that raises eyebrows given her track record.
In this extended tête-à-tête, Harris reiterated her newfound fondness for legalizing marijuana, a stark contrast to her earlier days as California’s Attorney General, where she oversaw the very prosecutions of cannabis users she now claims to champion. It’s almost comical how Harris has morphed from a tough-on-crime DA into a pro-weed advocate. Under the glare of the podcast spotlight, she embraced the idea that marijuana should be legalized despite the fact that her previous actions led to the conviction of thousands over marijuana offenses. This classic political flip-flop seems to have ducked the scrutiny it deserves, especially as she contends with former President Donald Trump, who is now also eyeing a shift on the cannabis issue.
NEW: Kamala Harris starts laughing uncontrollably while podcast hosts Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson awkwardly listen.
Kamala Harris was on the 'All The Smoke' podcast when she started talking about her friends and family.
Harris: "My best friend from kindergarten is still one… pic.twitter.com/26gBYmn0BD
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 30, 2024
The VP also donned the role of a relatable family woman, discussing her blended family with Doug Emhoff, a topic that seems to have emerged following recent barbs from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders about her lack of biological children. Amid concerns about how much Harris connects with middle America, she characterized her relationship with her stepchildren as “very intentional.” It almost feels like a reassurance campaign—“Fear not, I am not just another elitist politician devoid of family values!” Meanwhile, she breezily acknowledged that societal norms about family structures have evolved since the 1950s, perhaps in the hopes of winning over those traditional family values voters.
Touching on race and identity, Harris asserted that her upbringing was colored by her identity as a black woman, echoing sentiments that have been politically geared towards rallying support among minority communities. She voiced a heavy sense of responsibility to not only break barriers but to ensure future generations would feel empowered to do the same. This, of course, comes with the underlying expectation that voters will applaud her progressiveness while glossing over the hypocrisy of her journey. The irony of her assertion—that no one should ever hear “no”—is laced with the reality that many Americans might feel a resounding “nope” in response to her administration’s policies.
The podcast interview also provided an opportunity for Harris to outline her so-called “opportunity economy,” which sounds more like campaign slogan fluff than a clear economic strategy. In her ideal world, small business owners would flourish with newly proposed tax deductions. Yet, it raises questions about why a senator from California needs to develop a plan that seems so basic and devoid of details. The commitment to bolster small businesses is admirable. Still, it feels contrived when mixed with an absence of clarity on how these plans would actually materialize as solutions in the current economic climate.
Lastly, Harris made sure to tap into the contemporary civil rights narrative, suggesting that the march for civil rights needs to continue in every generation while simultaneously vilifying her opponent’s affiliations with so-called extremist agendas. By labeling Project 2025 as “nasty work” and making sweeping claims about rights being suppressed, she attempted to galvanize her base while conveniently avoiding the numerous critiques of her own party’s policies. Her stances seem more like campaign fodder than actionable insights, aiming to sway undecided voters as the presidential race heats up.
The juxtaposition of Harris’ aspirations against the backdrop of her past raises eyebrows while underscoring a skepticism that’s hard to shake off. As she courts public favor, one question remains: will voters buy the act, or will they see through the smoke and mirrors?
