Harris Teams Up with Oprah to Broaden Outreach to Persuadable Voters at Emotional Detroit Event

Vice President Kamala Harris joined Oprah Winfrey on Thursday night for a heartfelt conversation before a live audience of more than 400 people, predominantly supporters, just outside Detroit.

The event, reminiscent of Winfrey’s iconic talk-show style, allowed Harris to address her stance on issues like abortion, gun control, immigration, and the economy through the stories of everyday Americans directly impacted by these policies.

The event featured families affected by tragedies linked to the country’s divisive policies, including an abortion ban and a recent school shooting.

Audience members, both in-person and virtual, were able to ask Harris questions on a range of topics, creating an interactive environment that highlighted the vice president’s commitment to addressing public concerns.

One of the most emotional moments came when the family of Amber Thurman, a Georgia woman who died of sepsis after experiencing complications from an incomplete medication abortion, shared their story.

Thurman had waited over 20 hours for medical care at a suburban Atlanta hospital due to delays linked to the state’s restrictive abortion laws. Her death was reported by ProPublica, drawing national attention to the human costs of such bans.

Through tears, Thurman’s mother, Jeannette, expressed the deep pain of losing her daughter. “Initially, I did not want the public to know my pain,” she said. “I wanted to go through in silence. But I realized that it was selfish. I want y’all to know that Amber was not a statistic.

She was loved by a family, a strong family, and we would have done whatever to get my baby, our baby, the help that she needed.”

Thurman’s grandmother, Marilda, recounted the shock and fear she felt upon hearing about a shooting at her granddaughter’s school. “My heart just dropped.

My heart just got so heavy,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I fell to the floor and just started praying.”

Responding to their remarks, Harris stressed the need for “common sense” policies on gun violence. She criticized the misleading narrative that one must choose between supporting the Second Amendment or wanting to take away people’s guns, emphasizing that a balanced approach is possible.

In a candid moment, Winfrey noted that Harris herself is a gun owner, prompting the vice president to joke, “I’m a gun owner. Tim Walz is a gun owner.

If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot. I probably should not have said that. My staff will deal with that later.”

The event, dubbed “Unite for America,” was a strategic move to rally the various groups mobilizing to elect Harris as she steps up to lead after President Joe Biden’s decision to step down.

Harris spoke about the “great responsibility” she feels to champion the issues that matter most to Americans, particularly regarding reproductive rights, immigration, and economic reform.

Winfrey engaged Harris in a discussion about the weight of her new role, asking if stepping into this position felt like a transformative experience. “I felt a sense of responsibility, to be honest with you, and that comes with a sense of purpose,” Harris responded, acknowledging the gravity of the moment.

Harris elaborated on her sense of duty, emphasising that the work ahead is much bigger than any individual. “I felt a great responsibility and– and the incredible power of the people, right? Who, you know, I’m not the only leader in this. We’re all leaders in this.

This is so much bigger than me,” she said. “It’s about who we are as Americans and making clear what we stand for.”

The event was also live-streamed to thousands of viewers. It featured appearances from notable figures such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and celebrities including Ben Stiller, Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Jennifer Lopez.

In addition, leaders from various fundraising groups like Win with Black Women, Childless Cat Ladies for Harris, and White Dudes for Harris were also present.

The evening began with Winfrey revisiting themes of hope and joy she first discussed at the Democratic National Convention.

She spoke passionately about her optimism for the country’s future and praised Harris for inspiring a new sense of unity in American politics.

“I’m here because I care deeply about the future of our country, and I know that all of you do too,” Winfrey said.

“Kamala Harris has unleashed a unifying force unlike anything we’ve seen in politics in a very long time. And I know lots of people are feeling it because it actually is hope and joy rising. Can you feel it? You can feel it.”

Winfrey continued, reflecting on the importance of joy and optimism in today’s political climate. “There’s been so much talk about that word joy. And I think it’s such a good thing because it means that there is a real feeling of optimism and hope, making that come back,” she said, echoing former First Lady Michelle Obama’s sentiment that a “new day” is no longer a distant promise but a reality that Americans are now living.

The event served as a powerful reminder of the impact of personal stories in shaping public policy, and the crucial role leaders like Harris play in addressing the complex and deeply human issues facing the nation today.