Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, in a candid interview on the radio show Charlamagne tha God on Tuesday, defended her record as a prosecutor and described how she plans to decriminalise marijuana and what policy initiatives she will take to address police brutality.  She said that she is committed to policies that would help the Black men- a constituency that has seen its level of support decline since the 2020 election.

Charlamagne, known for his tough interviews on “The Breakfast Club,” questioned Harris on her record as San Francisco’s district attorney, especially in accusations that she disproportionately incarcerated Black men.  Harris flatly denied that claim, saying, “It’s simply not true,” and pointed out that she was one of the most progressive prosecutors on marijuana cases.  She vowed to decriminalise marijuana if she became president and acknowledged the havoc marijuana laws have wreaked, particularly on Black communities.

 Aiming to Reconnect with Black Male Voters

Harris’s campaign is working overtime to regain the support of Black men, one constituency which shows less enthusiasm for her candidacy than in the 2020 President Joe Biden’s campaign.  As polls indicate, fewer Black men support Harris, and she is moving to tackle this problem in crucial battleground states such as Michigan.  Harris mentioned a reason behind the decline in support was disinformation from former President Donald Trump’s camp, which accused them of trying to fool Black voters.

They are trying to frighten people off because they know they otherwise have nothing to run on, Harris said, referring to efforts by the Trump team.

Police Reform and the George Floyd Act

On police brutality and the disproportionate killing of Black men, Harris said she is committed to pushing for the George Floyd Policing Act, which stalled in Congress last year.  Charlamagne doesn’t seem to harbour such optimism about the sharply divided Congress and believes one shouldn’t push the act further.  Harris disputed that view, pointing out that she’d keep working on the legislative level and supporting candidates who would vote for necessary reforms.

“I don’t subscribe to that approach,” Harris said, referring to previous successes in getting voting rights legislation passed despite political obstacles against it.

Tackling Economic Inequality and Voter Complaints

Again, on economic policies targeting Black men, Harris used the platform to talk about small business loans and reducing drug prices.  Some audience members asked her whether or not people think this election can be free and fair.  Harris sidestepped any such direct dismissal but went ahead to speak ill of Donald Trump, referring to him as “weak and unfit” as a sitting president and a failure when it comes to upholding the Constitution.

Media Strategy and Broad Outreach

Harris has gone on a media blitz as part of her efforts to reach broad swaths of voters.  She is booked on Fox News, which skews toward conservatives.  She is weighing a guest appearance on the top-rated podcast of Joe Rogan, whose listener base is a supermajority male representation from all walks of life.  This outreach reflects the concern among Democratic strategists for her lagging support levels among men, including Black men, which could prove pivotal in the upcoming election.

According to a September NAACP poll, more than 25% of young Black men supported Trump, while Biden took about 80% of the Black male vote in 2020.  Recent polls show that Harris’s lead over Trump narrowed nationally, coming 3 points ahead in a Reuters/Ipsos poll.  In critical battleground states, it remains too close to call.

Harris also rolled out some policy proposals directed at Black men during her fifth appearance in Detroit since announcing her candidacy: forgivable small business loans and expanded access to the recreational marijuana industry.  With a triumph over Donald Trump projected, Harris will be the first woman elected president, the first person of Asian descent elected to the office and the second Black president of the United States.

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