Vice President Kamala Harris, whom some presume to be the heir-apparent to the presidency as Joe Biden’s health seems to be in decline and his legal pressures mount, stumbled on a key Democratic talking point during an interview on Sunday.
Known for disjointed statements (“word salads”), Harris’ inability to answer a direct question regarding limits on abortion surprised many and infuriated others.
During Sunday’s interview on “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, Harris was asked to comment on the Democrat-pushed effort to establish a new federal law to codify abortion rights.
The question came in response to multiple Republican opponents of such a law stating that Democrats advocate “late-term” abortion services — including after the time of birth.
Brennan asked the vice president: “What is it that you believe? I mean, what week of pregnancy should abortion access be cut off?”
Harris attempted an evasive reply: “We need to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade,” Harris began. “We’re not trying to do something new—”
Brennan interjected: “Well, that was nebulous, because it was about viability, which could be anywhere between 20 to 24 weeks—”
Harris replied, “No, no, no, no, no. Let me be very clear.”
Brennan clarified: “That’s, that was in the Women’s Health Protection Act that the White House also endorsed—”
Harris attempted to move away from the question by presenting a broad summary statement: “Let me be very clear. From day one, the president has been clear, I have been clear. We need to put back the protections that are in Roe v. Wade into law.”
Harris added: “Since the Supreme Court took it, Congress has the power and ability to pass legislation to put those protections back in law and Joe Biden will sign that bill. So, that is what we want.”
Brennan pressed: “But does it need to be specific in terms of defining where that guarantee goes up to and where it does not, at which week of pregnancy?”
Again, avoiding answering directly, Harris said, “We need to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade.”
Brennan pushed Harris: “You need to be precise.”
Refusing to answer the question, Harris replied, “I am being precise.”
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The vice president blasted the 2022 Supreme Court ruling regarding Roe v. Wade, but did not mention that the ruling did not make abortions illegal — the ruling simply gave each state the right to make determinations on the matter.
Many on social media were quick to point out that Harris would not own the no-limit position held by most prominent Democrats.
The Spectator contributing editor Stephen Miller noted: “Harris is directly asked at what point does she support abortion, up until what week of pregnancy. She doesn’t answer.”
State of Virginia’s Deputy Communications Director Rob Damschen wrote: “She aligns with Virginia’s extremist progressive candidates — 40 weeks.”
Libby Emmons, The Post Millennial editor in chief demanded a precise answer, writing on X, “So…. when does she support abortion up until?”
Fox News reported that the line of questioning may have been spurred by Fox News’ broadcast of the first GOP presidential debate during which candidate Nikki Haley pressed the media “to nail down the Biden-Harris position on what limits, if any, they supported on abortion.”
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