Friday, 20 September 2024
Friday, 20 September 2024
Oprah conducted the talk titled "Unite for America", as a studio show that was similar to the set of Winfrey's former talk show. She played her familiar role of television host. But instead of the Oprah Winfrey Show, it was effectively a 90-minute campaign infomercial for Vice President Harris, who joined Winfrey on stage for a conversation 47 days before the November election.
The event, helmed by one of the all-time masters of the television talk show, was filled with celebrity cameos and heart-wrenching personal stories.
Winfrey urged undecided voters to support Harris for a better future. She said, "It seems to us that something happened to you(Kamala) the moment President Biden, stepped aside and withdrew his candidacy, that a veil or something dropped, and you just stepped into your power."
"Can you feel it? Can you feel the joy rising in here?" Winfrey said when Harris arrived on stage in Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit in Oakland County, Michigan. Harris responded: "I can."
The event began with a star-studded opening as Winfrey called out celebrities who were attending the event virtually including Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Bryan Cranston, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Maryl Streep.
Here's a look at what the celebrities said in favour of Kamala Harris.
Chris Rock
“I wanna bring my daughters to White House to meet this Black woman president,” Rock said. “I think she will make a great president and I’m ready to turn the page. All the hate and negativity, it’s gotta stop.”
Meryl Streep
“Hello, President Harris,” Meryl Streep greeted her, then covered her mouth. “Oop!”
“Forty-seven days,” Harris responded, laughing.
Bryan Cranston
'I am smiling from ear to ear Oprah,' Breaking Bad's Cranston said. 'I have never felt this much joy and optimism in a campaign in a long time.'
Julia Roberts
The American actress noted that this will be the first time her children are able to vote in an election. She said she couldn't be more excited for them to have the legacy to say that their first vote they ever cast for president was for you. I have just chills saying that out loud.
The event brought together members of over 100 online groups that have coalesced around Harris since she became the Democratic nominee, including White Dudes for Harris, Cat Ladies for Kamala and Latinas for Harris.
In a recent Reuters poll, Harris led her Republican opponent Donald Trump 47% to 42%. During the 90 minutes interview the Democratic party candidate also touched upon several issues as the audience questioned her on gun violence and border security.
Harris on gun violence
Addressing the topic of gun violence prevention Harris said, "I think for far too long on the issue of gun violence, some people have been pushing a really false choice to say you're either in favour of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone's guns away. I'm in favour of the Second Amendment, and I'm in favour of assault weapons bans, universal background checks, red flag laws."
The Vice-president jokingly stated, “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot,” before laughing and adding, “I probably should not have said that. My staff will deal with that later.”
The event was marked by personal stories from families affected by violence. Natalie Griffith, a survivor of school shooting, shared her experience, while Winfrey emphasized the urgency to change. "This is not normal, and this is not right. We as Americans have to do better," she stated.
Harris on immigration
When asked by one of the audiences during the interview about what specific steps she would take to secure the southern border, she responded by highlighting her time as a prosecutor and Attorney General of California.
She said, "I was the elected attorney general for two terms of a border state, so this is not a theoretical issue for me, this is something I've actually worked on. I have prosecuted transnational criminal organizations for the trafficking of drugs guns and human beings. I take very seriously the importance of having a secure border and ensuring the safety of the American people."
