Maryland — Wednesday, October 7th, following a standout debate performance from Senator Kamala Harris, where she laid out the failures of Donald Trump and Mike Pence, and highlighted Joe Biden’s plans to build back better — Maryland Democratic Party Chair, Yvette Lewis, released the following statement.
“Tonight, Kamala Harris drew a sharp contrast between the failures of the Trump-Pence administration, and the bold plans she and Joe Biden have to build a stronger America. The daughter of immigrants, and a child of the civil rights movement, Kamala showed us that the American dream is alive and well. She offered a hopeful vision of our country, where we overcome this pandemic, and everyone has the same opportunities, regardless of their race or gender. Kamala told us how “My mother came to the States at the age of 19… the thought that I would be sitting here right now, I know would make her proud. Joe knows that we share a purpose, which is about lifting up the American people… and unifying the country around our shared principles.”
Throughout the night, Kamala made the case for Joe Biden — highlighting his plans to contain COVID-19, protect health care, and to revitalize our economy. She discussed how their ambitious plans to build back better would create 18.6 million jobs, and increase the income of working class Americans (after taxes) by $4,800. Kamala also focused on the toll of Donald Trump’s failed trade war: “You lost the trade war…. farmers have experienced bankruptcy because of it… we are in a recession because of it. This is where the economy is right now and it’s because of the catastrophe and the failure of this administration.”
Mike Pence was supposed to lead the COVID-19 taskforce, instead, he and Donald Trump lied to us again, and again; all while the COVID-19 pandemic claimed the lives of over 210,000 Americans, shut down 400,000 small businesses, and 30 million lost their jobs. While heading the taskforce, Pence left states and health care workers without necessary protective equipment, failed to implement a national testing or contact tracing strategy, and refused to follow the most basic health guidelines. Senator Harris stood up for the American people, and confronted Pence’s lies when she said “We have witnessed what is the single greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country… In spite of all that, they still don’t have a plan… The American people have had to sacrifice far too much because of the incompetence of this administration.“
Pence has a long and terrible human rights record, throughout his career he has opposed women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, and civil rights. Tonight was no different as he praised a supreme court justice who would threaten these fundamental rights, along with protections for pre-existing conditions. Kamala’s record could not be more different, she was one of the earliest supporters of marriage equality, and has been a staunch supporter of women’s healthcare choice. She hit Pence for this tonight saying “I will always fight for a woman’s right to make a decision about her own body. It should be her decision and not that of Donald Trump and the Vice President.”
There is no question Kamala Harris won tonight’s debate. She offered a bold, hopeful, vision for our country, while all Mike Pence could do was lie and offer excuses for Donald Trump. Kamala showed us that she and Joe are the leaders we need in the White House; Mike Pence, on the other hand, showed us that he’s nothing but a yes-man who cannot tell the truth. ”
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