The highlights from Oprah’s conversation with VP Kamala Harris

Earlier this evening, the Harris-Walz campaign announced that Oprah would join the vice president during a stop in Michigan. The television legend interviewed the vice president at an event hosted by several groups, all aiming to mobilize voters of different demographics. The obsession with celebrity in US public culture was on full display, with the event beginning with a parade of celebrities explaining why they support Kamala.

While billions of dollars will be spent on this election, the outcome is decided by the voters, and events hosted by Oprah tonight aim to energize those watching at home.

The issue that went unmentioned

The policy of the Biden Adminstration towards Israel is causing problems electorally for the vice president, who has failed to separate herself from the current policy. There was no mention of Gaza or Palestine during the event, and earlier today, the Uncommitted Movement said they would not endorse the vice president’s candidacy.

The evening opens with questions on immigration

In the more town hall-style section of the interview, Harris was asked questions about immigration and what she would do to secure the border. The vice president responded by highlighting a conservative immigration bill that had circulated earlier this year on Capital Hill. Democrats had joined Republicans in supporting the bill, but it was killed when President Trump told GOP leaders that he wanted to be able to run on the issue of immigration. The vice president quickly highlighted Donald Trump’s intervention in killing the bill.

The ACLU harshly criticized the bill for the ways the law could violate the human rights of migrants, create an “operational nightmare,” and threaten the security of migrants the way the Trump-era policy known as Title 42 did. “We need only to look back at the chaotic and violent days under the Trump era Title 42 policy, which similarly closed our asylum system under the guise of public health,” argued the ACLU in explaining the organization’s opposition to the bill.

The Democratic strategy of debating the issue of immigration on the terms set by the GOP could have serious consequences for migrants hoping to claim asylum in the United States. Additionally, it only allows for an enforcement-only approach to be taken, which leaves behind the Dreamers and millions of undocumented immigrants who have been forced to live in the shadows.

Abortion takes center stage

This week, ProPublica reported on the tragic death of Amber Nicole Thurman, who is thought to be the first woman who died as a result of Georgia’s abortion ban. Doctors in Georgia were unwilling to intervene and when they finally did, it was too late.

Abortion and the threat that Republican control of Congress and the White House has been central to the Democrat’s campaign. Stories like that of Candi are becoming more common and leaving a trail of devastation for families across the country.

The threat faced by students by gun violence.

The crowd heard from a student and her parents, who were impacted by the recent shooting at Apalachee High School. “If you break into my house, you are going to get shot,” said the vice president, quickly remarking that she probably shouldn’t have said that. The VP said she supports the implementation of assault weapons bans, universal background checks, and red flag laws. These measures were described as common sense actions that hold widespread popularity with the public.