Kamala Harris on Principles & Values Democratic candidate for President (withdrawn); California Senator

Sub-sections under Principles & Values:
• Endorsements
• Trump Campaign
• Other issues under Principles & Values

Your choice: a country rooted in freedom? or ruled by chaos?

Our democracy, it doesn't require us to agree on everything. In fact, we like good arguments from time to time. Just think of your own family, right? It's not the American way to not have disagreements. We don't shy away from robust debate. We like a good debate, don't we? And the fact that someone disagrees with us does not make them the enemy within. They are family, neighbors, classmates, co-workers. They are fellow Americans. And as Americans, we rise and fall together.

I believe that your faith is a verb: you live your faith

HARRIS: My pastor, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown of Third Baptist Church. It was an extraordinary day that Sunday when the president called me, and I instinctively understood the gravity of the moment. I just called him--I needed that spiritual kind of connection, I needed that advice, I needed a prayer.

Q: Do you pray every day?

HARRIS: I do pray every day, sometimes twice a day. We grew up [attending] a little neighborhood church in Oakland, 23rd Avenue Church of God. And I was raised to believe in a loving God, to believe that your faith is a verb, you know? You live your faith and that the way that one should do that is your life's work should be to think about how you can serve in a way that is uplifting other people. And that guides a lot of how I think about my work and what is important.

This election is about strength versus weakness

KAMALA HARRIS: I literally lose sleep and have been over what is at stake in this election. Ultimately I do believe that this is an election that is about strength versus weakness, and weakness as projected by someone who puts himself in front of the American people and does not have the strength to stand in defense of their needs, their dreams, their desires, the work that must happen to make sure that we are a secure nation. That we are nurturing and protecting our alliances around the world, that we are supporting America's military, that we are fighting to bring the cost of living down for working families, that we are building businesses, building growth.

Part of American spirit is the expansion of rights

I've only had one client in my career: the people

A Republican in my Cabinet: I invite diversity of opinion

HARRIS: Yes, I would.

Q: Any one in mind?

HARRIS: No, no one in particular in mind. We got 68 days to go with this election, so I'm not puttin' the cart before the horse. But I would. I think it's really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think it's important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who is a Republican.

Q: Speaking of Republicans: People might be surprised to hear that you have never met Donald Trump face to face. He suggested that you "turned Black" recently for political purposes--

HARRIS: Yeah. Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please.

That's it?

HARRIS: That's it.

Dual nature of democracy -- fragility and strength

You see, the strength of democracy is the rule of law. The strength of democracy is the principle that everyone should be treated equally, that elections should be free and fair, that corruption should be given no quarter. The strength of democracy is that it empowers the people.

And the fragility of democracy is this: that if we are not vigilant, if we do not defend it, democracy simply will not stand; it will falter and fail.

The violent assault that took place here, the very fact of how close we came to an election overturned -- that reflects the fragility of democracy.

Yet, the resolve I saw in our elected leaders when I returned to the Senate chamber that night -- their resolve not to yield but to certify the election; their loyalty not to party or person but to the Constitution of the United States -- that reflects its strength. And so, of course, does the heroism of the Capitol Police.

Cut off in Senate questioning: Courage, Not Courtesy

As Harris's questions got increasingly testy, Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), cut her off. Looking in her direction, Burr said, "Would the senator suspend? The chair is going to exercise its right to let the witness answer the question." Harris, incredulous, was not used to being told to stifle herself.

The exchange went viral immediately: old white senators had "shushed" Harris, the only black woman on the committee. As it exploded on twitter, the rancorous partisan bickering worsened between Democratic and Republican senators and between Democrats and the trump administration. Within hours, Harris and her staff had shrewdly exploited the incident by coming up with a meme: "Courage, not courtesy."

Admires Hindu goddess Kali: warrior & mother figure

In the mid to late 1960's, both parents were involved in the civil rights movement. Harris tells of being wheeled to demonstrations in a stroller. On one occasion, as she was fussing, her mother asked what she wanted. "Fee-dom!" she is said to have answered.

In her first television interview as the candidate, Harris spoke of her admiration for the Hindu goddess Kali, a mythological warrior who protects the innocents by slaying evil. In a classic depiction, Kali holds the head of a slayed demon, has a necklace of several heads, and wears a skirt of bloody arms. Harris also noted that Kali is a mother figure.

We have broad support and will bring integrity back

Biden is my model for being a great vice president

OpEd: Checks gender and race boxes, but not a progressive

But there's something deeper going on here. Because Harris represents not just the center-right policy positions of the Democratic establishment. She is also an illustrative example of the kind of empty, tokenistic brand of identity politics that this establishment uses to give its major figures political cover.

We have much more in common than what separates us

The power of a president's support will help LGBTQ youth

HARRIS: One of the most powerful tools in the hands of the president is that microphone she holds. The real strength of a leader is based not on who you beat down, it's based on who you lift up. We have to create a safe place for those youth to go, where they can be in a peer- based place, where they can talk about how they are experiencing the world in a way that nurtures and strengthens them.

Commonalities unite us more than racism divides us

Fight for the best of who we are

Stepchildren call her "Momala" instead of "stepmother"

The two step children get along very well with their step mother. They thought about it and came up with the conclusion that they should put the word mom and the word kamala together and just like that, they picked a name that stuck with her.

A president who leads with dignity, honesty, truth

Words matter; leaders cannot be ignorant of history of race

Harris: We cannot be ignorant of the history of race in this country. That is a very loaded term, loaded with a history that includes extreme racism, violence, discrimination, prejudice, you name it. I think it is very important that we who are leaders choose our words carefully understanding the significance and the power of our word.

FactCheck: Constitutionally eligible to run for presidency

The constitutional requirements for the office of U.S. president have nothing to do with the naturalization status of one's parents, but do include requirement of 14 years' residency in the US. Though Harris spent her high school years in Canada, she has been resident in the US since 1982. She was born in Oakland California, in 1964, and is a natural-born citizen, fulfilling all the requirements to be constitutionally eligible to run for president.

Co-sponsored Do No Harm Act: keep church and state separate

Americans United supports the legislation. AU's President said that "the Do No Harm Act will ensure that we honor two core American values: religious freedom and the promise of equal protection under the law."

Congress enacted the federal RFRA in 1993 with the goal of protecting religious freedom, especially for religious minorities. At that time, a broad coalition of progressive & conservative groups supported the law. But since then, the federal RFRA has been misinterpreted by some courts and has become a vehicle for those who want to use religion to undermine protections for civil rights and access to health care.

First Indian-American to serve in the U.S. Senate

Harris' race and ethnicity were never a focal point of the contest, which she was projected to win handily. Many people focused more on the possibility that California might have elected the first Latina to the Senate if Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Orange) had won.

Harris' mother, Dr. Shyamala Harris, emigrated from India. Her father, Donald Harris, emigrated from Jamaica. According to the U.S. Senate's website, just nine black Americans have ever served in the Senate. Democrat Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois became the first black woman to serve in the body in 1993. A handful of Indian Americans have served in the U.S. House, including California's Dalip Singh Saund from 1957 to 1963 and current Rep. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove), who was first elected in 2012.

Campaign lit: "First African-American & Asian-American A.G."

If elected, Harris would be "the first female, the first African-American, the first Asian-American attorney general in California and the first South Asian-American attorney general in the nation," according to her campaign literature.

Harris was born in Oakland and grew up in the liberal bastion of Berkeley during its 1960s-'70s heyday. Her parents attended graduate school there, and they took Harris to many civil rights protests, instilling in her a sense of social justice. Her first name means "lotus flower" in Sanskrit.

Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, immigrated from Chennai, India. Her father, Donald Harris, became a Stanford University economics professor.

Grandfather served as high-level diplomat in India

Endorsed by 50+ major newspapers (with 4 endorsing Trump)

FactCheck:Wikipedia reports 4 major newspapers have endorsed Trump while 50+ have endorsed Harris (we define "major" as "cited often by OnTheIssues"):

Endorsing Trump:
• Las Vegas Review-Journal
• N.Y. Post
• Washington Times
• Washington Examiner

Endorsing Harris (partial):
• Boston Globe
• Denver Post
• Houston Chronicle
• Las Vegas Sun
• N.Y.Times
• News & Observer
• Star-Ledger
• Seattle Times
• Philadelphia Inquirer

Endorsed by group of 25 Muslim imams

The 25 Islamic religious leaders who signed the letter, which comes a year after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that sparked the war, argue that Muslim voters have a duty to think logically about their voting decisions and that backing Harris "far outweighs the harms of the other options."

"She is a committed ceasefire candidate too and is the best option for ending the bloodshed in Gaza and now Lebanon," they wrote.

The imams argued that former President Trump is a threat to their community. "Given [Trump's] well-documented history of harming our communities and country," the letter argues that the leaders have "a responsibility, an Amana, not to place our community in harm's way."

Endorsed by 400+ economists and policymakers

"The choice in this election is clear: between failed trickle-down economic policies that benefit the few and economic policies that provide opportunity for all," the endorsement document reads. "It is a choice between inequity, economic injustice, and uncertainty with Donald Trump or prosperity, opportunity, and stability with Kamala Harris, a choice between the past and the future. Nonpartisan researchers have predicted that if Donald Trump successfully enacts his agenda, it will lower GDP growth and increase the unemployment rate."

Endorsed by 700 national security officials

The letter criticizes Trump for praising "adversarial dictators" including China's Xi Jinping, North Korea's Kim Jung-un, and Russia's Vladimir Putin, "as well as the terrorist leaders of Hezbollah," while denigrating the U.S.

"The contrast with Mr. Trump is clear: where Vice President Harris is prepared and strategic, he is impulsive and ill-informed. We do not agree on everything, but we all adhere to two fundamental principles," the letter said. "First, we believe America's national security requires a serious and capable Commander-in-Chief. Second, we believe American democracy is invaluable."

"Our endorsement of Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism. It is an endorsement of democratic ideals and of relentless optimism in America's future."

Endorsed by 100+ Republican lawmakers & officials

"Donald Trump's susceptibility to flattery and manipulation by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, unusual affinity for other authoritarian leaders, contempt for the norms of decent, ethical and lawful behavior, and chaotic national security decision-making are dangerous qualities," the letter states. "He is unfit to serve again as President, or indeed in any office of public trust."

I'm endorsed by 200 Republicans who oppose Trump's extremism

KAMALA HARRIS: Talk about extreme. You know, this is, I think, one of the reasons why in this election I actually have the endorsement of 200 Republicans who have formerly worked with President Bush, Mitt Romney, and John McCain--including the endorsement of former Vice President Dick Cheney and Congressmember Liz Cheney. And if you want to really know the inside track on who the former president is, if he didn't make it clear already, just ask people who have worked with him. His former chief of staff, a four-star general, has said he has contempt for the constitution of the United States. His former Secretary of Defense has said the republic would never survive another Trump term. I think the choice is clear in this election.

DONALD TRUMP: I fired most of those people. Not so graciously. They did bad things or a bad job. I fired them.

World leaders want Biden/Harris re-elected in 2024

You know, I have now met with over 100 world leaders as vice president. And when we walk in those rooms representing the United States of America, when you're a role model, people then watch what you do to see if it matches what you say. People around the world are watching what's happening in our country right now.

In my travels in the last year, world leaders would say to us when we said "America is back"--and they'd say, "Well, for how long?"

In the last several months, I ran into a number of world leaders and the first thing--I'm not kidding you--that each one of them--the first thing they said, "We hope you're going to win."

Out of self-interest, they raised it. Because of what they know the future of our country means and represents for the future of their countries.

Trump has an enemies list; I'll have a to-do list

These United States of America, we are not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators. The United States of America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised. A nation big enough to encompass all our dreams, strong enough to withstand any fracture or fissure between us and fearless enough to imagine a future of possibilities. So America, let us reach for that future. Let us fight for this beautiful country we love.

Strength is in lifting people up, not beating people down

Putin and Russia should stay out of our elections

His remark came just hours after the Biden administration accused Moscow of a widespread, sophisticated election interference campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies believe Putin is hoping for Trump to take the White House in November, given his skepticism over U.S. funding of Ukraine's war machine.

"I told you our favorite, if you can call it that, was President Biden. He's now out of the race, but he asked his supporters to back Ms. Harris, so we'll do the same," Putin said with a wry smile. "The choice is ultimately up to the American people, and we will respect that decision. Favorites aren't for us to decide--it's the American people's choice," he added.

In response, a U.S. national security spokesman said, "Putin should just stay out of our elections."

Turn the page on Trump's dividing our nation

HARRIS: When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward in a way that generations of Americans have been fueled by hope and by optimism. I think sadly in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has really been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans--really dividing our nation. And I think people are ready to turn the page on that.

WALZ: I'm excited about this agenda, too. As I said, the idea of inspiring America to what can be.

FactCheck: Yes, has always claimed Black identity

Harris has always identified as a product of a multicultural family, being born of Jamaican and Indian immigrants. Her single mother, a Hindu adherent, embraced Black culture. Harris went on to study at Howard University, a historically Black university, where she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., one of the nation's preeminent historically Black Greek-letter organizations.

"Today's tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trump's MAGA rallies this entire campaign," a Harris Campaign spokesman said. The White House press secretary [reacted], "What you just read out to me is repulsive. It's insulting. No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify," she said.

January 6th, 2021 will echo throughout history

On that day, I was not only Vice President-elect, I was also a United States senator. And I was here at the Capitol that morning, at a classified hearing with fellow members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Hours later, the gates of the Capitol were breached.

What the extremists who roamed these halls targeted was not only the lives of elected leaders. What they sought to degrade and destroy was not only a building, hallowed as it is. What they were assaulting were the institutions, the values, the ideals that generations of Americans have marched, picketed, and shed blood to establish and defend.

Jan. 6 was an exposure of the vulnerability of our democracy

"I was at the Capitol that morning," she told CBS anchor Jane Pauley (via CBS News). "And then I was in a meeting and I was told that I should leave. I was taken to a secure location with my husband, we watched in horror."

Harris admitted that she thought that the January 6 violence, which extended into the halls of the U.S. Capitol, was earth-shattering."It was seismic. It was in many ways a reckoning. It was an exposure of the vulnerability of our democracy. It is outrageous, and we will remember it like we have remembered some of the most significant [dates]. December 7th. We will remember Jan 6--an attack on the foundation and fundamental principles and ideals we hold dear."

Impeachment: McConnell doesn't want trial, wants cover-up

Trump committed crimes in plain sight

Trump should be prosecuted for obstruction of justice

HARRIS: I would never direct the Department of Justice to do whatever it believes it should do. But we all watched the Mueller testimony. I've read the report. There are 10 clear incidents of obstruction of justice by this president, and he needs to be held accountable. I have seen people go to prison for far less. And we have a person in the White House right now who has been shielded by a memo that says a sitting president cannot be indicted. The American people are right to say there should be consequence and accountability for everyone and no one is above the law, including the president.

Question Trump on Emoluments clause.

Excerpts from Letter from 17 Senators to Trump Organization: The Trump Organization`s continuing financial relationship with President Trump raises concerns about whether it is a pass-through for income that violates the Constitution`s two Emoluments Clauses: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 on foreign Emoluments; and Article II, Clause 7 on domestic Emoluments. Please answer the following questions to help Congress understand:

• When the Trump Organization receives income from a government agency, how is that income segregated & reported?
• How does the Trump Organization determine if income is derived from foreign governments?
• Trump promised to `donate all profits from foreign government payments made to his hotels to the US Treasury.` Has the Trump Organization created a mechanism to make such payments?
• What is the estimated value of the 38 Chinese trademarks recently awarded to the Trump Organization? And the reported 157 pending trademark applications in 36 countries?

Legal Analysis: (Cato Institute, `Emoluments Clause vs. Trump Empire,` 11/29/16): The wording of the Emoluments clause points one way to resolution: Congress can give consent, as it did in the early years of the Republic to presents received by Ben Franklin. It can decide what it is willing to live with in the way of Trump conflicts. If it misjudges public opinion, it will pay a political price at the next election.

FOIA argument: (ACLU Center for Democracy, `FOIA Request,` 1/19/17): We filed our first Freedom of Information Act request of the Trump Era, seeking documents relating President Trump`s conflicts of interest relating to his business connections. When Trump took the oath of office, he didn`t take the steps necessary to ensure that he and his family`s business interests comply with the Constitution. Some have even argued that upon taking the oath of office, the new president is already violating the Emoluments Clause.

Certify 2020 Presidential election as fully & fairly counted.

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.

Timeline of 1/6/21 by Wikipedia:
• 1:12 PM: Gosar and Cruz object to certifying the votes. The joint session separates into House and Senate chambers to debate the objection.
• 1:35 PM: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warns that refusing to certify the results of the presidential election under false pretenses would push American democracy into a `death spiral`.
• 2:12 PM: The first rioter enters the Capitol through a broken window, opening a door for others
• 2:24 PM: President Trump tweets, `Mike Pence didn`t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify.`
• 4:17 PM: Trump denounces the riots, but maintaining the false claims that the election was stolen
• Around 5:40 PM: As the interior of the Capitol is cleared of rioters, leaders of Congress state that they will continue tallying electoral votes
• 8:06 PM: The Senate reconvenes, with Vice President Pence presiding.
• 10:15 PM: The Senate votes 93-6 against the objection (Senate rollcall #1).
• 11:30 PM: The House votes 303-121 to reject the objection (House rollcall #10).
Source: Congressional vote 21-Cert on Jan 6, 2021

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