Harris: ‘Theoretically, Of Course’ Russian Interference Poses Threat To Biden Win

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on August 27, 2020. (Photo by ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) on Sunday expressed that both she and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden are not taking the possibility of Russian interference in the November election lightly.

When asked about the intelligence bulletin released by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday — which warns that Russia is seeking “to undermine public trust in the electoral process” by spreading baseless claims that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud, echoing President Trump’s and Attorney General Bill Barr’s unfounded assertions on the matter — Harris told CNN that she doesn’t doubt the possibility of Russia interference costing Biden and her the election.

In mentioning how she is “clear” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, Harris cited her position on the Senate Intelligence Committee and the panel’s detailed reports supporting her assertion before going onto argue that Russia “will be at the front of the line” regarding foreign interference in the 2020 election.

Asked whether Russian interference could lead to the Biden-Harris campaign losing in November, Biden’s running mate replied “theoretically, of course, yes.”

Harris went on to mention voter suppression issues, such as the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder that she said “gutted” the Voting Rights Act.

Harris also slammed Trump’s efforts to “convince” voters to have distrust in the integrity of the election system and “compromise in their belief that their vote might actually count.”

Harris added that both she and Biden are “very realistic” about how “there will be many obstacles that people are intentionally placing in front of Americans’ ability to vote.”

“But we will surpass and surmount and get around those obstacles,” Harris said.

Watch Harris’ remarks below:

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Just like it did for Hillary.

  2. Avatar for dave48 dave48 says:

    The good news is that, at least no one is denying Russian interference or its significance this time around. Does anyone remember this headline from the NYT on November 1, 2016:

    It was our denial of the Russian interference four years ago that allowed it to be so effective (IMO).

  3. Avatar for j.dave j.dave says:

    The headline doesn’t match the quote.

    She says “theoretically” Russian interference could decide the election, not just threaten it.

    She also says she and Joe will “surmount” all obstacles.

    Stick it to him, Kamala!

  4. Avatar for revjim revjim says:

    Ahhh ! A VP who can actually articulate their own thoughts and provide information without continual messages of loyalty and subservience to their lord and master. Looking forward to her term !

  5. It’s so refreshing, so adult, you might say, to hear someone acknowledge she faces a potential problem. I’m so truly sick of this macho posturing where you’ll crush your enemies’ skulls like grapes etc. etc. This is a truly strong person saying she doesn’t control everything, and things could go wrong. I never imagined how much I could appreciate hearing that.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

194 more replies

Participants

Avatar for richardinjax Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for bobatkinson Avatar for george_spiggott Avatar for squirreltown Avatar for rollinnolan Avatar for daveyjones64 Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for gr Avatar for leftcoaster Avatar for ronbyers Avatar for mrf Avatar for pshah Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for tena Avatar for castor_troy Avatar for kelaine Avatar for the_loan_arranger Avatar for bcgister Avatar for zenicetus Avatar for rascal_crone Avatar for rucleare Avatar for LeeHarveyGriswold

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: