WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Kamala Harris blasted criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as an “attack on maternal care” while stumping for Michigan Senate hopeful Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit.
“The attack on DEI is an attack on maternal care … including the need to protect black women in connection with their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care,” Harris said during a roundtable event with El-Sayed on black maternal health.
“These are the facts when we talk about what is at stake in this moment as it relates to these midterms, and who occupies seats in one of the most important bodies in our nation, if not the world, which is the United States Senate,” she added.
The event was intended to shore up El-Sayed’s support with black voters after he had soft support from the critical voting bloc in the Democratic primary last month.
Ironically, El-Sayed had backed the “uncommitted” movement in the 2024 cycle, which was a revolt against former President Joe Biden getting the nod. Harris was set to be on Biden’s ticket at the time. Many of the movement’s key organizers also refused to endorse Harris.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, El-Sayed snapped when a journalist dredged up his past support for the “uncommitted” movement ahead of Harris’ arrival.
“Was Vice President Harris running for president at the time we were uncommitted?” he snarled. “I mean ask a fact-based question, then I’ll answer your question.”
The uncommitted movement arose from progressive outrage over the Biden administration’s support for Israel during its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Around the time Harris replaced Biden atop the Democratic ticket, El-Sayed’s half-sister Eman Abdelhadi publicly trashed her. Ultimately, El-Sayed backed Harris, citing his concerns about President Trump.
Harris had stayed neutral on El-Sayed’s bruising primary fight against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), when much of the so-called “establishment” backed the congresswoman over the former public health official.
The two tried to signal that there were no hard feelings after the tumultuous 2024 presidential cycle.
“I think we are at the point of our new relationship where I can call you Abdul,” Harris quipped as they wrapped up their panel session.
El-Sayed replied, “Perfect. For me, it’s going to be Madame Vice President.”
Democratic bigwigs have swung through Michigan in the weeks since the primary fight last month as part of an effort to unify the Democratic Party around El-Sayed.
Michigan is one of the most competitive Senate races in the country and most polls show El-Sayed running neck and neck against Republican Mike Rogers.
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