Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent interview on the “All the Smoke” podcast is being praised for its potential impact on a critical and closely watched voting bloc this election cycle: Black men.
“This interview was a home run for her,” said Democratic strategist Joel Payne, who said the Democratic presidential nominee was “personal and vulnerable.”
During the 45-minute sit-down with former NBA stars Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Harris opened up about her personal life as a stepmom and how she navigated the complexities of a blended family. She also touched on the importance of addressing mental health in the Black community.
In terms of policy, the vice president reiterated her stance that marijuana should be legal in the United States.
“I just feel strongly people should not be going to jail for smoking weed. And we know historically what that has meant and who has gone to jail,” said Harris.
She also laid out her economic plan to increase funding for small businesses (up to $50,000 tax deductions) and address the country’s housing affordability crisis with $25,000 down-payment assistance.
Considering the podcast’s target audience of Black men, Harris’ appearance was noteworthy.
Though she holds an overwhelming majority support among Black voters, several polls show as many as 26% of Black men under the age of 50 plan to cast their ballot for Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
Payne, a former Black engagement operative for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, said the interview with Barnes and Jackson has the potential to spread to corners of the country where some Black men may not be engaged about her campaign and record.
“Maybe there’s a brother on the west side of Philly, or maybe there’s a brother who lives in the suburbs outside of Detroit, or a Black farmer in rural North Carolina,” noted Payne, “who runs across this clip, or they hear about it or hear…
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