From legalising weed to foreign aid: 5 takeaways from Kamala Harris podcast hosted by Charlamagne

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on The Breakfast Club podcast with Charlamagne tha God to address key issues ahead of the 2024 election . During the interview, she touched on a wide range of topics, from marijuana policy to accusations that she has neglected the Black community. Recent poll data shows her trailing behind in key demographics, increasing the stakes of this conversation.

Harris said that voters face two stark choices in the election, “By voting, you have two choices…two very different visions for our nation.” She warned that another Trump presidency would "take us backward."

She also discussed her proposals for Black men and her ongoing commitment to the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Here are five key takeaways on Charlamagne podcast:

On coming off as scripted

When asked about why Harris comes off as very scripted and "likes to stick to her talking points" the VP talked about the importance of repetition in communicating her message across the country, particularly in such a high-stakes election. She admitted that delivering the same message consistently is key to helping people understand her positions. "Repetition is important. Some people say until someone has heard something at least three times, it just doesn't stay with you," she explained. Harris added that she feels the "weight of the moment" and the responsibility she carries, saying, "This is a margin of error race. It's tight."

On decriminalising weed

One of the more controversial topics Harris addressed was her stance on marijuana, particularly given accusations that she targeted Black men for weed offences during her time as a prosecutor. Harris firmly denied these claims, saying, "I was the most progressive prosecutor in California on marijuana cases and would not send people to jail for simple possession." As Vice President, she has worked to lower marijuana’s classification and committed to decriminalising it if elected President.

"As president, I will work on decriminalizing it because I know exactly how those laws have been used to disproportionately impact certain populations and specifically black men," she said.

.@VP Kamala Harris With Charlamagne Tha God in a live audio time hall (56 minutes)

KAMALA JUST HIT A GRAND SLAM HOMERUN pic.twitter.com/3VQYuBl8vM

— Jeff Storobinsky (@jeffstorobinsky) October 15, 2024

On foreign aid

Harris faced tough questions on the issue of sending aid to other countries while domestic issues remain unaddressed. A caller asked why the U.S. sends money overseas when people at home struggle with housing and healthcare. Charlamagne added, "That’s one reason why America First rhetoric resonates." Harris responded that the U.S. must remain a world leader while also meeting the needs of its citizens. She talked about efforts such as reducing prescription drug prices and increasing investment in HBCUs as evidence of her focus on domestic issues. "So part of my plan is that we're going to give people a $25,000 down payment assistance to get their foot in the door to buy a home for first time home buyers," the VP said.

Charlamagne cited former President Obama’s recent remarks about the unrealistic expectations placed on Presidents to solve every problem. Harris agreed, noting that while it’s important to strive for progress, it’s impossible to fix everything. "President Obama is absolutely correct, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do anything." She pointed to her track record in reducing Black child poverty and increasing access to homeownership as proof of her commitment to improving the lives of everyday Americans.

'Doesn't Biden administration have to take some blame for the border'

Kamala expressed her concerns about a potential Trump victory, saying, “If Trump wins, he’s going to use this law to put anyone that doesn’t look white, in camps.” She warned that Trump’s campaign is “about instilling fear, not about hope, not about optimism.” Citing his false claims about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, she highlighted how Trump prefers to run on problems rather than fixing them.

When Charlamagne whether the Biden administration shares some blame for border issues. Harris replied, “No, Charlamagne… the first thing we dropped was a bill to fix the broken immigration system”.

"We did to try and get that border security bill passed, and then also an executive order that has actually reduced significantly the number of illegal crossings and tightened up what needs to happen in between ports of entry," she said.

She rejected the title of "border czar," stating, “If I responded to every name he called me, I wouldn’t be focused on helping the American people.” Harris also warned of Trump’s intentions to weaponise the Department of Justice against political opponents, stressing, “That’s not supposed to happen in America.”

Allegations of neglecting the Black community

Harris was asked about a circulating clip that claimed she would "do nothing specifically for Black people." She dismissed the accusation as misinformation, stating, "My work from the beginning of my career through today has been about supporting the Black community." Harris cited her work on healthcare, Black maternal mortality, and her investments in HBCUs as examples of her dedication. She also underscored that misinformation is a key challenge she faces in this election, aimed at undermining her achievements.

In this podcast appearance, Harris sought to clarify her positions on critical issues and combat widespread misinformation as she gears up for what she described as a "tight" race.