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Remarks by Vice President Harris in a Moderated Conversation with Oprah Winfrey at a Unite for America 2024 Event

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3 months ago

September 23, 2024

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Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of World Central Kitchen Workers in Gaza

Studio Middle
Farmington Hills, Michigan

8:24 P.M. EDT

MS. WINFREY: Kamala Harris!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello.

MS. WINFREY: So, welcome to —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Oprah —

MS. WINFREY: Oh, whats up!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello. (Laughs.)

MS. WINFREY: Madam Vice President, whats up. Welcome to Michigan.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It’s so good to be again.

And, Governor, thanks for all the things you’re and all the things you do for this state. Thanks. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Nicely —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks.

MS. WINFREY: Are you able to see this? We have now a thousand —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Oh, my goodness.

MS. WINFREY: — screens right here —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Oh, my goodness.

MS. WINFREY: — representing individuals from all around the nation.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Oh, my goodness.

MS. WINFREY: Can you’re feeling — can you’re feeling —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Sure.

MS. WINFREY: Can you’re feeling it? Can you’re feeling —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I can.

MS. WINFREY: — the enjoyment rising in right here?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I can. And I — I’ve to let you know, there may be a lot that I really like about our marketing campaign, as a result of it truly is concerning the individuals. And I go searching at these screens, Oprah, I have a look at who’s within the room, and that is America.

MS. WINFREY: That is.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That is America. You realize, I used to be saying with a bunch of buddies earlier: I believe, on this second, the place we’ve handled a lot that I believe is kind of exhausting round highly effective forces that may try to divide us —

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — and check out us — to have us, as People, pointing fingers at one another —

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — that this motion that’s about reminding one another that now we have a lot extra in frequent than what separates us is so critically vital, and that is concerning the power of who we’re as People. And this motion that we’re in about, as I prefer to say, seeing within the face of a stranger, a neighbor.

MS. WINFREY: Sure, sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper?

MS. WINFREY: Sure, sure, sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: An extension of “love thy neighbor,” that you simply actually, within the face of a stranger, see a neighbor —

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — and method one another with that stage of dignity and style and — and kindness.

MS. WINFREY: Nicely, that’s precisely what occurred with —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You realize?

MS. WINFREY: — Win With Black Ladies.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Sure.

MS. WINFREY: I do know you’ve recognized Jotaka —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Jotaka.

MS. WINFREY: — for a few years.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks, my pricey. Oh.

MS. WINFREY: Nicely, that’s precisely what occurred — (applause) —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: She began it.

MS. WINFREY: — tha- — is that they’d this massive name —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Jotaka began it.

MS. WINFREY: They’d the massive name —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It’s your fault. (Laughs.)

MS. WINFREY: They’d the massive name after which mentioned, “Let’s open the door.”

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: “Let’s open the door and invite all people else in.” And all people really got here.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Organically.

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Organically.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Like, that is the fantastic thing about our nation. I — you already know, there’s a lot at stake on this election, and, finally, the query earlier than us is: What sort of nation will we wish to reside in?

And the fantastic thing about a democracy — so long as we are able to maintain on to it — the fantastic thing about a democracy is every of us has the facility —

MS. WINFREY: That’s proper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — every of us has the facility —

MS. WINFREY: That’s proper. That’s proper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — to reply that query.

MS. WINFREY: That’s proper. Everyone —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper?

MS. WINFREY: — on this name and past has the facility.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: However can I simply begin with this?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Sure, please.

MS. WINFREY: I’ve to say this, as a result of in all of my personal conversations — Gayle and I’ve mentioned this 100 instances —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: Ev- — and all people is saying it. You all have mentioned it. I do know you’ve gotten. It appears to us that one thing occurred to you the second Joe Biden — President Biden stepped apart and withdrew his candidacy, {that a} veil or one thing dropped, and also you simply stepped into your energy. (Applause.)

I imply, actually, taking a look at you at a speech just like the week earlier than, which was an incredible speech, very good — (laughter) — after which the following week —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Oprah. (Laughs.)

MS. WINFREY: — I noticed you strolling within the factor — (Oprah struts across the stage) — (laughter and applause) — and I mentioned, “What occurred to you?”

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You realize, we every have these moments in our lives the place it’s time to step up.

MS. WINFREY: Time to step up.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Time to step up, you already know. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Nicely, the second you heard — I imply, I actually have been saying to individuals, it felt like a veil dropped, and also you form of stepped by way of that veil. Did — did that truly — did you’re feeling like that?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I felt a way of duty, to be sincere with you. And with that, comes a way of goal.

However, I imply, we’re all right here, and also you all are taking day out of your busy lives — everybody right here, everybody on the display — as a result of there actually is a lot at stake. You realize, I’ve spent nearly all of my profession caring concerning the well-being of different individuals.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: As I’ve mentioned, my profession as a prosecutor, I by no means checked out a — a sufferer or a witness and requested them, “Are you a Republican or a Democrat?” The one factor I ever requested them is, “Are you okay?”

MS. WINFREY: “Are you okay?” I do know, once I heard that —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You realize?

MS. WINFREY: — it touched me.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And touring this nation and understanding what’s at stake when it comes to basic freedoms, what’s at stake when it comes to combating towards hate and people — these efforts to divide us, and I do know that I’m ready to do one thing about it.

So, I felt an incredible duty and — and the unimaginable energy of the individuals — proper? — who — and I’m not the one chief on this. We’re all leaders on this.

That is a lot larger than me. It’s about who we’re as People, and it’s about making clear what we stand for. And what we stand for is it’s concerning the beliefs upon which we had been based, together with the significance of freedom and — and the significance of independence and — and the significance of dignity and — and goal, however it is usually about what we stand for when it comes to our values.

I — I consider it this manner —

MS. WINFREY: Yeah, I believe quite a bit boils all the way down to values. I simply mentioned: Values are —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It actually does.

MS. WINFREY: — on the road right here. Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It does. I imply, give it some thought, Oprah. The concept that some would counsel and that my opponent and — suggests, which is that the measure of the power of a frontrunner is predicated on who you beat down — come on. The actual measure of the power of a frontrunner is predicated on who you raise up. And it’s — it’s vital for us — (applause) —

MS. WINFREY: Completely. And, you already know —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — to articulate that.

MS. WINFREY: You realize, ever because the debate, we really feel for our fellow residents in Springfield. Do you not —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: — take into consideration the guy residents in Springfield, Ohio; the Haitian households; the — the non-Haitian households; all people having to cope with this lie that has endangered the lives of Haitian individuals and anyone who seems to be Haitian? Everyone in America feels for that.

And I — additionally, all people in America — left, proper, center — has considerations about immigration.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: And I’m advised that Justin — Justin, the place are you within the viewers? Justin —

PARTICIPANT: Hey.

MS. WINFREY: — in our viewers.

PARTICIPANT: Hey, Madam Vice President.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello, Justin.

MS. WINFREY: You reside in Michigan?

PARTICIPANT: Sure, ma’am.

MS. WINFREY: Don’t you like saying, “Hey, Madam Vice President”? (Laughter.)

PARTICIPANT: I do. I do.

MS. WINFREY: What’s — what’s your query? It’s an immigration query, I used to be advised.

PARTICIPANT: My query for you is: Once you turn out to be president, what could be your particular steps —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Together with your assist. (Laughter.)

PARTICIPANT: Yeah, after all. What could be your particular steps to strengthening the border?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: So, it’s an exquisite and vital query. I — you already know my background was as a prosecutor, and I used to be additionally the elected lawyer common for 2 phrases of a border state. So, this isn’t a theoretical concern for me. That is one thing I’ve really labored on.

PARTICIPANT: Okay.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’ve prosecuted transnational felony organizations for the trafficking of weapons, medication, and human beings. I take very severely the significance of getting a safe border and making certain the security of the American individuals.

Sadly, the place we at the moment are might be traced most lately again to the truth that when the USA Congress — members of the Congress, together with among the most conservative Republicans, got here up with a border safety invoice — and right here’s what that border safety invoice would have finished: It will have put 1,500 extra border brokers on the border.

And let me let you know, these border brokers are working across the clock. It will have simply been about giving them some help and reduction, which might be why the border brokers really endorsed the invoice.

It will have allowed us to stem the movement of fentanyl. And I’m taking a look at individuals from all around the nation right here, so I don’t want to inform the parents who’re watching this what fentanyl has finished to households, to — to children in our nation, and the necessity to take severely stemming the movement coming into our nation and addressing that extraordinary and — and tragic concern when it comes to its impact.

The invoice would have allowed us to have extra assets to prosecute transnational felony organizations, and it could have been a part of the answer.

And Donald Trump known as up these of us and mentioned, “Don’t put that invoice on the ground for a vote.” He blocked the invoice. And you already know why?

PARTICIPANT: Why?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: As a result of he’d want to run on an issue as a substitute of fixing an issue. (Applause.)

And he has put his politil — private political safety earlier than border safety. As a result of perceive, even within the intervening months, what that invoice would have finished to offer help to of us who care about this concern.

And this, once more, will get to the purpose about what does management actually appear like, and is it about you or is it concerning the individuals?

PARTICIPANT: Proper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Is it about operating on issues or fixing issues?

My work and my profession has at all times been about saying, “Let’s repair issues.”

MS. WINFREY: So —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Let’s tackle the wants, as a result of we all know it’s inside our capability to do this.

MS. WINFREY: So, to reply Justin’s query, now that that invoice has gone and hasn’t handed, will you reintroduce that?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Completely. And when I’m elected president of the USA, I’ll guarantee that invoice will get to my desk, and I’ll signal it into legislation. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, Justin.

PARTICIPANT: Thanks.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks, Justin.

MS. WINFREY: Take heed to this. A majority of younger People, 18 to 34, say that the price of residing is their high concern forward of the election. Let’s have a look.

(A video is performed.)

Nicely, Rachael and Garrett are becoming a member of us on Zoom from Pennsylvania. And I perceive your sister and brother-in-law moved in, and also you’re hoping to economize to have a second baby.

PARTICIPANT: (Through teleconference.) That’s proper. Hello, Oprah. Hello, Madam Vice President.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello, guys.

PARTICIPANT: It’s good to be with you all.

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello.

MS. WINFREY: And so —

PARTICIPANT: (Inaudible.)

MS. WINFREY: — what did — what did you wish to say to the vp?

PARTICIPANT: So, Madam Vice Predi- — President, we’re, like many, many younger People, simply experiencing a really excessive price of residing. We ended up giving up our condominium, transferring in with our mother and father, who had been so gracious to take us in for over a yr in order that we might get monetary savings and finally purchase a house, as a result of that’s what we thought the American dream was: to —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yep. Yeah.

PARTICIPANT: — to get married and purchase a house and have a child.

And now, right here we’re, and our mortgage is extremely larger than what we thought it could be. And my sister and our brother-in-law reside with us proper now in order that they’ll hopefully at some point do the identical. And whereas it’s useful for us as a result of they assist us repay a few of our mortgage, it’s additionally useful for them as a result of they’ll save on cheaper lease.

However we actually would like to know what your plan is to assist decrease the price of residing.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah. I — to begin with, thanks each for being right here. And yours is a — a narrative I hear across the nation as I journey, and when it comes to each rightly having the best to have aspirations and goals and ambitions for your loved ones and dealing laborious and discovering that the American dream is, for this era and so many lately, way more elusive than it’s been. And we have to cope with that, and there are a selection of the way.

One is bringing down the price of on a regular basis requirements, together with groceries. So, that’s why I’m taking over, for instance, worth gouging, which is when — you already know, most corporations and companies are good, however for these dangerous ones, they make the most of individuals, particularly throughout a pandemic or excessive climate, they usually find yourself jacking up costs. And there must be accountability and consequence for that. So, I’m going to be taking over worth gouging.

However it’s additionally about coping with what we have to do round homeownership, proper? So, as somebody talked about throughout this — this movie — look, I grew up a baby of a mom who labored very laborious. She raised me and my sister. And she or he saved up, and by the point I used to be a young person, she was in a position to purchase a house.

And we grew up, really, for a very long time, in an condominium on high of a childcare middle that was owned by the lady we known as our second mom, as a result of she helped my mom elevate us, and she or he was a small enterprise proprietor: Ms. Shelton.

So, I’ll carry all this collectively to let you know: The way in which I give it some thought is, one, when individuals work laborious and have a dream of shopping for a house, we must always provide the alternative to have the ability to do this, which is why a part of my plan is for first-time householders — -buyers to have a $25,000 down cost help to purchase your first house. As a result of individuals simply want — (applause) — to have the ability to get their foot within the door, and then you definitely’ll do the laborious work.

A part of my plan is what we have to do to help small companies, as a result of my second mom was a small-business proprietor. And I really like our small companies and our small-business house owners. They don’t seem to be solely enterprise leaders, they’re neighborhood leaders. They — they mentor; they rent regionally. And now we have so many entrepreneurs in our nation who’ve nice concepts, unimaginable work ethic, however not essentially entry to capital, as a result of not all people, like my opponent, was handed $400 million on a silver plate that he filed chapter six instances on. (Laughter.)

And so, a part of my plan is to offer start-up small companies a $50,000 tax deduction to start out up their small enterprise. Proper now, it’s $5,000. No one can begin a small enterprise with $5,000. So, that’s a part of my plan.

MS. WINFREY: It’s — that’s a teeny-tiny enterprise. (Laughter.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s — that — that’s enterprise in —

MS. WINFREY: $5,000 — teeny-tiny enterprise.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It’s an idea of a enterprise. Proper? (Laughter.)

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You realize the place I’m going. (Laughs.)

MS. WINFREY: That’s proper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And a part of —

MS. WINFREY: It’s nonetheless on paper with the $5,000.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper. Proper.

MS. WINFREY: It’s nonetheless on paper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It simply hasn’t occurred. However —

MS. WINFREY: Proper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: A part of the — to talk to you guys and your loved ones and your goals — is what we have to do round giving middle-class households tax breaks.

And so, a part of my plan can also be to ext- — prolong and broaden the Little one Tax Credit score to $6,000, so to, within the first yr of your baby’s life, have the assets to have the ability to purchase a crib and a automotive seat and — and garments to your child, understanding that’s such an awfully vital time of their improvement and also you shouldn’t have to fret about the way you’re going to deal with their primary wants.

All of this and extra is a part of what I plan to construct, and I name it a possibility economic system. And it’s principally about creating alternatives, understanding so many individuals have the ambition, have the aspirations, are working laborious, however simply want alternative to succeed in their objectives and their goals.

MS. WINFREY: I noticed you smiling with that $25,000 credit score for the house. I noticed that smile in your face —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: (Laughs.)

MS. WINFREY: — and the $6,000. Thanks all a lot.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks. Thanks, guys.

MS. WINFREY: I wish to simply introduce you to Shelby, who’s additionally in our digital viewers. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks. Thanks.

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, guys.

Shelby from Virginia, who’s additionally combating the price of residing. Inform us your story, Shelby. Why?

PARTICIPANT: (Through teleconference.) Hello. Hello, Madam Vice President. Hello, Oprah.

I’m 24 years previous. I’m a graduate scholar residing with my mother and father, and I wish to transfer out subsequent yr and doubtlessly purchase a house. And I’m involved concerning the affordability of 1 —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

PARTICIPANT: — with the additional price and payments that I’m paying now, together with the payments and prices I’ll pay sooner or later too.

And so, all the things simply has a value and all the things is so costly. And so, I’m fearful about my capability and the way I’m in a position to totally help myself as soon as I do reside independently.

MS. WINFREY: You sound like one in every of my daughter women from South Africa. Graduated — she was like, “I hate adulting.” (Laughter.) “I hate adulting.”

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper.

MS. WINFREY: “This adulting isn’t going so effectively.” Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Nicely, so par- — to begin with, congratulations on all of the success you’ve already achieved. And it’s — your story and the story of our buddies earlier than you is basically — that’s the American story, proper? You — you’re working laborious, you’ve gotten objectives, you’ve gotten ambitions.

And so, a part of it’s, once more, the $25,000 down-payment help.

A part of it’s what we have to do to additionally push again towards a really completely different imaginative and prescient for our nation. As a result of, look, on this election, there are two very completely different visions for our nation: One, for me, that’s targeted on the longer term, together with you; and one other that’s targeted on the previous.

What Donald Trump — what my opponent plans on doing for the economic system is doing what he did the final time he was president, and giving one other tax break for billionaires and the largest companies that may add $5 trillion to our deficit.

And get this. He plans on what — doing what I name a “Trump gross sales tax,” which is, principally, he’s going to place a 20 % tax on on a regular basis requirements that economists have estimated will price the typical American $4,000 extra a yr — which is why Goldman Sachs, which is why Moody’s, which is why Wharton Faculty of Enterprise, which is why 16 Nobel laureates have collectively decided after analyzing our plans, one, mine would strengthen the economic system, his would weaken it; two, that on his plan, he would really blow up inflation and invite a recession by the center of subsequent yr.

So, when you consider the price of residing, my method is about lifting you up. His could be about really weakening our economic system.

And I really feel very strongly when a person, when a small enterprise, when a household, when the center class is powerful, America is powerful.

MS. WINFREY: Amen to that. Amen to that. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper?

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, Shelby. Thanks, Rachael and Garrett.

So, the Harris marketing campaign kicked off the Preventing for Reproductive Freedom bus tour to help the basic proper for ladies to make selections about our personal our bodies. And here’s a brief tape on that.

(A video is performed.)

So, for the thousands and thousands of you who watched the Democratic Nationwide Conference, you’ll keep in mind Hadley Duvall telling her extremely highly effective story. And in case you didn’t see it, right here’s only a temporary look.

(A video is performed.)

Hadley is right here.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: There’s Hadley.

MS. WINFREY: Rise up, Hadley. (Applause.)

I’ve to let you know, we’re all standing up as a result of we’re so impressed by your braveness to face up and share your story.

The place did that come from, the power to — to do that? As a result of I’m certain you thought lengthy and laborious earlier than deciding to go public together with your story.

PARTICIPANT: When Roe v. Wade was overturned —

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, all people.

PARTICIPANT: — I awoke with a harsh actuality of my abuse was over however my story shouldn’t be. And I simply couldn’t fathom serious about the opposite Hadleys on the market that don’t have that alternative, that don’t have any individual to go to. So, with the ability to discover braveness and be the sunshine for them, that’s — that’s actually what I do it for.

MS. WINFREY: And so, what do you wish to say to different people who find themselves voting on this election relating to what occurred to you and what which means?

PARTICIPANT: You’ll be able to’t wait till it’s too late to care about reproductive well being care, as a result of then it’s too late. And when it impacts you, it — it hits, and it — you possibly can’t deny it. You’ll be able to’t have a look at somebody with a narrative like mine and say it didn’t occur. And there are extra individuals like me on the market, and there are going to be so many extra who deserve their choices. They deserve their selections.

Let’s become involved. We have now somebody who’s prepared to listen to us at a stage like by no means earlier than. We have now somebody who needs to know what we would like on this nation. We have now somebody who needs to raise up our voice, and we have to present out and present up for her, similar to she’s exhibiting out and exhibiting up for us. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: All proper.

Is there one thing needed to say to Madam Vice President?

PARTICIPANT: Madam Vice President, I simply wish to say thanks. Thanks for seeing us, for listening to us when the Supreme Courtroom gained’t. Thanks for combating and, you already know, actually exhibiting us that life is — shouldn’t be concerning the laborious issues that you simply undergo. You don’t bow down —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s proper.

PARTICIPANT: — even if you’re the underdog — particularly if you’re the underdog —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s proper.

PARTICIPANT: — you get up and also you stand tall. And also you give me a lot hope and a lot power. And thanks. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Aw, Hadley. Truthfully —

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, Hadley, for coming all this manner. I hope you proceed to make use of your voice. I hope you proceed that.

This week, the case of a younger lady who misplaced her life after the abortion ban came about in Georgia made nationwide headlines. Amber’s case got here to mild by way of the reporting of journalist Kavitha Surana with Professional- — ProPublica. And so, take heed to her story.

(A video is performed.)

Amber’s mom, Shanette, and older sisters C.J. and Andrika are right here, they usually — are they needed to be right here tonight to talk out for the primary time.

Ms. Shanette, what would you like us to learn about Amber’s story?

PARTICIPANT: Initially, I didn’t need the general public to know my ache. I needed to undergo it in silence, however I spotted that it was egocentric.

I would like y’all to know Amber was not a statistic. She was cherished by a household — a powerful household, and we’d have finished no matter to get my child, our child, the assistance that she wanted.

When ProPublica got here to my house, I pushed them away. “No. No. No.” However Kavitha, she stored — she was persistent. She mentioned it was one thing that you simply wanted to know; it’s important to hear me: Ladies world wide, individuals world wide, must know that this was preventable.

Two years later, after talking with my daughters — as a result of I misplaced power; I misplaced hope — you’re taking a look at a mom that’s damaged. The worst ache ever {that a} mom, {that a} guardian might ever really feel — her father and myself and the household — you’re taking a look at it.

MS. WINFREY: Nicely, we admire so deeply you being right here. And I — we’re all watching you hear that tape and people phrases. We all know how re-traumatizing that’s and the power it takes so that you can be right here to inform your story, and we deeply admire it.

And I’ve to ask you, as her sisters, how are you coping? And what does understanding that this might have been prevented — how does — how does that sit with you? How do you address that each day?

PARTICIPANT: I imply, it’s heartbreaking. You realize, that was my child sister. I cherished my child sister, you already know? I’m past harm. I’m disenchanted. I really feel responsible. I want I might have helped her, you already know, as a result of she was struggling.

And we had no concept. We trusted them to deal with her, you already know? And so they simply let her die as a result of — due to some silly abortion ban. They handled her like she was simply one other quantity. They didn’t look after her as if, you already know, she was their daughter or their, you already know, granddaughter.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah.

PARTICIPANT: You realize, and she or he’s not right here. She’ll by no means come again.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah. Andrika, what do you wish to say?

PARTICIPANT: I wish to say that it’s — it’s very disheartening that my sister was allowed to undergo for 20 hours. She suffered. There was nothing that we might do to assist her. We trusted the well being care professionals to do their job and save her, however they failed her.

MS. WINFREY: Nicely, I believe essentially the most highly effective factor that you simply’ve mentioned right here, Ms. Shanette, is that your daughter shouldn’t be a statistic. She had a life. She was cherished by her sisters, cherished by her household, cherished by those that knew her. And she or he’s not only a tis- — statistic. And we’re comfortable to talk her title tonight.

In — on this room, speaking about what this nation wants when it comes to reproductive rights and freedom, what do you wish to say, Madam Vice President?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’m simply so sorry. And the braveness that you simply all have proven is extraordinary, as a result of additionally you simply discovered about how it’s that she died. And —

MS. WINFREY: They simply lately discovered, sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: How, yeah.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah, yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And — and Amber’s mother shared with me that the phrase over and over in her thoughts is “preventable.”

MS. WINFREY: Yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: “Preventable.” That phrase retains coming to her.

And this story is a narrative that’s, sadly, not the one story of what has been taking place since these bans have taken place.

And, you already know, so the — simply to step again when it comes to how we bought right here. The previous president selected three members of the USA Supreme Courtroom with the intention that they might overdo the protections of Roe v. Wade, they usually did as he supposed.

And in state after state, together with yours, these abortion bans have been handed that criminalize well being care suppliers. In a few states, jail for all times, Oprah — jail for all times in a few states for a health care provider or nurse who supplies well being care.

And so, it — it appears very obvious that —

MS. WINFREY: Even when the — even when the mom’s life is at risk.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: However see, right here’s the issue with that. Right here’s the issue with that. So, is she on dying’s door earlier than you really determine to offer her assist?

MS. WINFREY: Mm-hmm. That’s the issue. (Applause.) That’s the issue.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Is that what we’re saying?

MS. WINFREY: Yeah. That you just’ve bought to show —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That —

MS. WINFREY: — you’re on dying’s door.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Like, actually, a health care provider or a nurse has to say, “She may die any minute. Higher give her now care, as a result of in any other case I’d go to jail for all times,” in some cla- — instances.

Take into consideration what we’re doing when it comes to saying that sure people who find themselves in these state homes — after which beginning with the previous president of the USA — assume they’re in a greater place than a health care provider or a nurse to find out when their affected person wants medical care.

This actually — and — and Amber’s story highlights the truth that amongst all the things that’s unsuitable with these bans and what has occurred when it comes to the overturning of Wa- — Roe v. Wade, it’s a well being care disaster. It’s a well being care disaster that impacts the affected person and the occupation.

And going again to Hadley’s story — and, Hadley, you’ve been so exceptional —

PARTICIPANT: Thanks.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — in telling your story and being so sturdy in the way in which you do it. And each of those tales — actually, I imply, the braveness for — out of ache, so that you can inform these tales to assist different individuals is e- — is simply extraordinary. It’s — and, Hadley, and — and I’m — you simply — you’ve been so exceptional.

You realize, I — Oprah, I don’t know if you already know this, however once I was in highschool, I discovered that my greatest buddy was being molested by her stepfather.

MS. WINFREY: Sure. Sure. We heard that story on the — on the DNC, sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And — and I mentioned to her —

MS. WINFREY: And also you had the braveness then to go to her and say, “You’ve bought to return” —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: “You come” —

MS. WINFREY: — “to our home.”

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — “it’s important to come” — yeah. And she or he got here to stick with us. I known as my mom, and she or he got here to stick with us.

And the concept that these identical legislators who could be saying, you already know, “criminalize well being care suppliers” are additionally saying that after an individual’s physique has been violated, that they don’t have any proper to decide about what occurs to their physique subsequent — that’s immoral.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah. (Applause.) I believe it —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s immoral.

MS. WINFREY: — it’s not simply immoral. And right here’s — right here’s what I wish to say: I simply don’t consider that these legislators, that the federal government has a proper to be in your womb. They don’t have any proper to be in your womb with selections about your womb.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And one doesn’t need to abandon their religion —

MS. WINFREY: Proper.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — or deeply held beliefs to agree the federal government shouldn’t be telling her what to do. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Completely. Completely.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper? If she chooses, she is going to discuss along with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, or her imam, however not the federal government telling her what’s in her be- — greatest curiosity.

MS. WINFREY: Nicely, this can be a lengthy therapeutic course of for this household, and we thanks, and we hope that by being amongst individuals who heard you and heard your daughter’s story will probably be significant to you on this journey to therapeutic. Thanks a lot for being right here.

Okay, I wish to additionally — (applause). Thanks.

I wish to hear from Star Walker, who’s a marketing campaign engagement organizer in Milwaukee — one in every of my hometowns, Milwaukee.

Hello, Star. What’s happening in Wisconsin?

PARTICIPANT: (Through teleconference.) Hello, Oprah. Hello, Madam Vice President. We’re fired up right here in Wisconsin. I’m an engagement organizer, so I’m targeted on (inaudible) — (applause) — inside their private networks, as buddies, household, teammates. Yeah, and by empowering individuals to leverage their relationships, we amplify their voices and ship progress.

We’re fired up, however we additionally comprehend it’s a razor-thin race. So, similar to in 2020, that is going to be gained by a area margin. It’s on us to roll up our sleeves and do the work. Let’s make telephone calls and knock on doorways. Go to Go.KamalaHarris.com to hitch this people-powered motion. That means, once we look again, we gained’t simply be remembering how we felt, we’ll be remembering what we did.

Thanks. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Wooo! I really like that. I really like that. Y’all, I really like that. That’s a giant takeaway, as a result of we’re feeling actually good proper now, nevertheless it — what actually issues is: What are we going to do?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Completely.

MS. WINFREY: What are we going to do?

Thanks a lot, Star.

I see any individual else on the display. Julia Roberts! Hello, Julia.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello, Julia.

MS. ROBERTS: (Through teleconference.) Hello. Hello.

MS. WINFREY: I heard you had been so excited; you needed to be right here tonight. Why?

MS. ROBERTS: Nicely, to begin with, Oprah, thanks for internet hosting this, as a result of, I suppose, if I began a voting membership, it could be “Conversationalists for Kamala” —

MS. WINFREY: Sure. Sure. (Laughter.)

MS. ROBERTS: — as a result of to — to speak, to — to pay attention, to be heard, to have this back-and-forth is so distinctive on this marketing campaign to stunning, fantastic Kamala Harris, who I’ve had the great fortune of understanding for a few years.

And I’m a mom of two children. That is their first probability to vote in an election — (applause) — and I couldn’t be extra excited for them to have the legacy to say that their first vote they ever solid for president was for you. I’ve simply chills saying that out loud.

MS. WINFREY: Are you all going to the polls collectively? Are you organizing a celebration? Are the Moders —

MS. ROBERTS: We —

MS. WINFREY: — having a ballot occasion? What’s taking place?

MS. ROBERTS: (Laughs.) I want we had been all going collectively. Actually, you already know, they’re in school, so we will probably be separated on the good day. However — however in spirit, united at all times for what we consider in and what we —

You realize, I really feel prefer it’s attention-grabbing. We discuss a lot about being People united for one thing, however this has turn out to be such a worldwide illustration of our nation and what we stand for. And I get to journey internationally quite a bit, and I would like individuals to say, “Oh, you’re American” and never “Oh. Huh. How’s it going over there?” (Laughter.) You realize?

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

MS. ROBERTS: So, I wish to get again to that area. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Precisely.

MS. ROBERTS: And I — and I simply —

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, Julia. Precisely. Thanks.

And, hey, there’s Tracee Ellis Ross developing there.

Tracee, we sh- — now, pay attention —

MS. ROSS: (Through teleconference.) Hello.

MS. WINFREY: If anyone ought to have a voting occasion, I believe it must be at your home, as a result of you’ve gotten nice events, lady. (Laughter.)

MS. ROSS: I simply wish to say hello. Hey, Madam Vice President. It — Ma- — Ma- — it’s simply an honor. I even have by no means met you —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I do know.

MS. ROSS: — which is — which is loopy. And hello, Oprah. (Laughter.)

I’m right here as a result of — wait, what did I miss?

MS. WINFREY: You go — she go- — we simply noticed one another the opposite day. Okay. (Laughter.)

Oh, hello, Tracee. Hello.

MS. ROSS: We did. Hello, Oprah. How are you doing?

MS. WINFREY: Good. (Laughs.) Yeah.

MS. ROSS: Okay.

MS. WINFREY: That is thrilling, although, isn’t it? Isn’t it thrilling?

MS. ROSS: It’s thrilling. It’s thrilling as a result of I consider in democracy. I consider in the way forward for our nation, in reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, girls main. I consider in decency. The concept of main with pleasure and kindness has at all times been in my DNA. And I’m right here each for the seriousness of this election however the pleasure with which it’s being dealt with. It’s gorgeous.

After which, I — I additionally actually wish to remind all people — it hasn’t been talked about — however voting up and down the poll — (applause) — is extremely vital. Your freedom and your each day life are — are all the way in which up and down that poll. Individuals are insurance policies, and we want the best individuals in all areas —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s proper.

MS. ROSS: — all — all positions.

After which, I want to say to you two girls: Thanks for what you signify, as a result of as a 52-year-old childless lady, I wish to say to the individuals who assume {that a} lady’s price is measured in her child depend — I imply, shout out to all of the wonderful moms — however the childless girls have been mothering the world and elevating tradition — (applause) — as aunties, godmothers, academics, mentors, sisters, and buddies and the checklist go- — goes on, and you don’t want to push out a child to assist push humanity ahead.

MS. WINFREY: Amen to that. Thanks a lot. Tracee Ellis Ross. (Applause.) Thanks a lot.

So, one other vital concern of this election is, after all, our security. And simply two weeks in the past, our nation skilled yet one more horrific faculty capturing. Watch this.

(A video is performed.)

We reside in a rustic the place 383,000 kids have been uncovered to gun violence. Now simply sit with that quantity for a second. It’s a quantity till it’s your baby.

This isn’t regular, y’all.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: This isn’t regular, and this isn’t proper. Different individuals in different international locations don’t have this concern. We — People, now we have to do higher. We have now to do higher. (Applause.) We can not proceed to only settle to your “our ideas and prayers.” Lives are being destroyed.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s proper.

MS. WINFREY: Fifteen-year-old Natalie Griffith and her mother and father, Doug and Marilda, are right here. And, Natalie, we’re so sorry to know that you simply, too, have been added to that quantity since you had been in algebra class if you had been shot twice by a 14-year-old fellow scholar.

We’re so glad that you simply lived to inform your story. And so, how are you tonight?

PARTICIPANT: Nicely, earlier than that factor — the video, I used to be ver- — I used to be very comfortable. I nonetheless am very comfortable to be right here and to — and to inform my story and what hap- — and what occurred, as a result of it was a horrible factor, and it ought to — and it shouldn’t have — what’s it known as —

PARTICIPANT: By no means occurred.

MS. WINFREY: The place had been you shot? The place had been you bodily shot?

PARTICIPANT: I used to be proper right here on my shoulder, after which round right here, proper —

PARTICIPANT: Her wrist.

PARTICIPANT: — round my wrist.

MS. WINFREY: I used to be saying that 383,000 college students in our nation, the USA of America, have been — been uncovered to violence — that very same scene that you simply skilled in your faculty. Had you all been having, you already know, drills or preparation —

PARTICIPANT: Sure.

MS. WINFREY: — for what ought to occur ought to there be a capturing?

PARTICIPANT: We have now — I’ve had intruder drills and hearth drills and stuff in my previous faculties. We had — now we have had a fireplace drill at Apalachee, nevertheless it was the primary two months of — of the varsity yr. We hadn’t had an — had an intruder drill but.

So, we didn’t even — we weren’t even fully certain the place to go within the classroom. All of us simply — I keep in mind being like huddled and (inaudible).

MS. WINFREY: So, I used to be watching your mom, even simply when that tape was approaching. It’s nonetheless very a lot PTSD, very a lot traumatic. You’re nonetheless reliving it. And the way has it been for you? How did you — how had been you notified that there was a capturing on the faculty?

PARTICIPANT: I used to be notified by a buddy. She known as me. I used to be at work, and she or he known as me, and she or he mentioned, “Are you aware concerning the capturing?” Which — with the varsity that she goes to, the Apalachee. I mentioned, “No, I don’t.” After which she mentioned, “There was a shooter on the Apalachee Excessive Faculty.” My dr- — my coronary heart simply dropped. In my coronary heart, it simply bought so heavy, and I couldn’t cease — I similar to — I needed to depart.

I advised my coworkers, “I bought to go. I’ve to depart.” And my very first thing I did is drop my knee on the ground and simply begin praying. I prayed for about half-hour from my — from my work on the way in which to the s- — I didn’t get to get to the varsity on my automotive. I needed to depart my automotive at a gasoline station about two — possibly two and a half, three miles, and I stroll on foot.

And I ran as a result of my coronary heart was so heavy, I couldn’t get — I couldn’t get in contact with my daughter.

MS. WINFREY: And I hear you’ve gotten a message for individuals in energy relating to weapons now.

PARTICIPANT: I do. I wish to end that story, as a result of no guardian ought to undergo this. I wish to simply end what —

MS. WINFREY: Sure, go forward.

PARTICIPANT: — you already know, the entire — the expertise — you have no idea what feels till it’s you.

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

PARTICIPANT: You realize, all these numbers that you simply present on the TV —

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

PARTICIPANT: — you already know, lots of people which might be listed here are moms. You realize, what are we doing about this? What are we doing? Let’s guarantee that all people listens. Let’s guarantee that all people hears it. The entire world wants to listen to that we ladies which have our kids, now we have a job. That job is to guard our kids. That job is to guard our nation. That job is to guard our nation. (Applause.)

We can not let — we can not depart — we can not let that go on. We have now to cease it.

You realize, the place — I used to be asking earlier, the place are these individuals (inaudible) the capturing? The place are they? They wanted to make a noise. I’m able to make a noise about this, and I’m able to cease it. As a result of nobody — nobody is aware of what feels when you possibly can’t discover your baby. Once you name her and also you name her and she or he’s not answering.

After I went by way of it, you already know, it’s simply me that is aware of it. And I’m certain — I’m so sorry for those who misplaced — their — their kids really died. I can really hug my baby. My baby is right here. And I gave all these reward to my — the Lord, our Father in Heaven saved my baby. You realize, however the different two moms there misplaced their children, and there are the academics that died.

You realize, these individuals are struggling like I’m struggling. I’m very sorry for them. I’m very sorry that they misplaced the pe- — their family members.

MS. WINFREY: And you’ve got a message for the individuals in energy.

PARTICIPANT: Sure, the individuals in energy: Let’s make it a change. Let’s make occur. Let’s make — you already know, let’s simply not hear about this. Who needs to only hear about this? (Applause.) We bought to vary it. We bought to make it occur. You realize?

MS. WINFREY: And, Doug — Doug, I hear you’re not a registered Democrat, however you now say it doesn’t matter what aspect of the aisle you’re on in the case of this concern. What change do you wish to see now that it has affected your loved ones?

PARTICIPANT: You realize, frequent sense. You realize, I believe a primary step would simply be metallic detectors in faculties — you already know, make a finances, make a plan. And — and the folks that say, “Nicely, we’ve by no means actually finished stuff like that earlier than.” I don’t care. You realize, they didn’t have metallic detectors at airports at one time. You realize, they didn’t have metallic detectors at courthouses.

They — you already know, I believe that if a baby knew that he would — would get caught that the probability of him making an attempt could be — they might — there could also be one other goal, nevertheless it wouldn’t be us having to fret about faculties being hardened. Or, you already know —

MS. WINFREY: Yeah. Yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah. I imply, I believe that Doug has mentioned it so eloquently, which is, we simply want to use frequent sense. And, look, I believe for much too lengthy on the problem of gun violence, some individuals have been pushing a very false option to counsel you’re both in favor of the Second Modification otherwise you wish to take everybody’s weapons away.

I’m in favor of the Second Modification, and I’m in favor of assault weapons bans — (applause) — common background checks, crimson flag legal guidelines. And these are simply frequent sense. These are simply frequent sense.

MS. WINFREY: I believed it was so highly effective on the conference if you s- — when — if you mentioned you’ve gotten weapons — no, on the debate. On the debate if you s- —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’m a gun proprietor. Tim Walz is a gun proprietor.

MS. WINFREY: I didn’t know that. (Laughter.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And if any individual breaks into my home —

MS. WINFREY: And I believed that was highly effective.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — they’re getting shot. (Laughs.) I’m sorry.

MS. WINFREY: Sure. Sure. I — I hear that. I hear that.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Most likely shouldn’t have mentioned that. (Laughter.)

MS. WINFREY: However I —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: My employees will cope with that later.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah. (Laughter.)

However you’ve gotten been a gun ow- — gun proprietor for some time.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Sure, I’ve.

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: However — however right here’s — right here’s my level, Oprah, is that I’m not making an attempt to take everybody’s weapons away. I consider within the Second Modification.

However now we have to agree that — look, I — I did, final fall, a — a school tour with college-age younger individuals. So, I additionally did commerce faculties. And packed viewers each time of their auditorium, and I might ask, “Please elevate your hand if at any level between kindergarten and twelfth grade, you needed to endure an lively shooter drill.” Nearly each hand went up. It was bone-chilling.

MS. WINFREY: Yeah. That is the way in which our children —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It’s bone-chilling.

MS. WINFREY: — reside. Yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And give it some thought. You realize, I grew up — we had hearth drills solely — effectively, I grew up in California, we additionally had earthquake drills.

However the truth that our kids are sitting in a classroom the place they need to be fulfilling their God-given potential and exploring the wonders of the world, and a few a part of their mind realizes any individual might bust by way of that classroom drawer — door with a — with a weapon — with an assault weapon.

And — and let’s all agree that the — the trauma so many kids, even those that haven’t straight skilled the tragedy —

MS. WINFREY: Simply being within the atmosphere.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I —

MS. WINFREY: Simply being within the atmosphere.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I can not let you know the variety of younger individuals who — I imply, our children had lively shooter drills — that — that they’re involved that there could be any individual who would kill them whereas they’re at college. This isn’t the signal of a civil society.

MS. WINFREY: It isn’t.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And we — it doesn’t need to be this manner.

MS. WINFREY: It doesn’t need to —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It doesn’t need to be this manner.

MS. WINFREY: — be this manner.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: However we have to have the braveness to behave. I imply, look, my opponent, when he was advised and — and knew a couple of — a capturing of a younger lady, you already know what he mentioned? “Recover from it.” “Recover from it.” No, we’re not getting over it. No.

And — and to the purpose, everybody ought to have a way of collective duty for the kids of our neighborhood —

MS. WINFREY: Sure.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — and perceive their proper to reside and be secure.

I’ve personally prosecuted murder instances. I do know — I’ve — autopsies. I’ve seen autopsies. I’ve seen what these weapons do to the human physique. And we’ve bought to agree that, specifically, once we’re speaking about one thing like an assault weapon, it’s actually designed to be a instrument of struggle. It has no place on the streets of a civil society. (Applause.) It’s designed to kill numerous human beings shortly.

And there are issues we are able to do. I imply, fortunately, during the last three years —

MS. WINFREY: Gosh, it simply looks as if —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: — we’ve finished some.

MS. WINFREY: — frequent sense. It looks as if —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: However it is not uncommon sense.

MS. WINFREY: It simply looks as if frequent sense. We’d see this. We’d see this.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I believe so.

MS. WINFREY: And I believe that almost all of People agree with you —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

     MS. WINFREY: — that we are not looking for assault weapons within the fingers of kids and different individuals who don’t have any enterprise with these forms of weapons. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Proper. Proper.

MS. WINFREY: We all know that is true. So, we thanks, Natalie, and your loved ones, for being right here.

PARTICIPANT: Thanks for —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks.

MS. WINFREY: And good luck in that marching band this yr. I hear you’re going to exit for the marching band nonetheless.

PARTICIPANT: Thanks for inviting us.

MS. WINFREY: Thanks.

PARTICIPANT: It’s — it’s — we’re — sadly, it’s a tragic second for us, however I needed to guarantee that, you already know, we got here as a result of we would have liked to be heard and we would have liked to — you already know, change needs to be made. It — and we able to struggle for this.

MS. WINFREY: Thanks. Thanks. (Applause.)

Okay. We wish to hear what’s happening in one other battleground state. Tracey is a regional organizing director in Nevada.

Tracey, inform us how issues are going for you. Hello.

PARTICIPANT: (Through teleconference.) Hello, all people. I’m Tracey Ly, a regional organizing director in Nevada. I’m within the Silver State this yr as a result of there’s a lot on the road. From well being care to decreasing prices, these inch- — these points impression all of us.

My staff and I’ve been constructing relationships with voters throughout this state, as a result of, right here in Nevada, we all know that enthusiasm alone doesn’t win campaigns; organizing does.

So, all of you watching tonight can turn out to be organizers. Whether or not you discuss to your sister, a roommate, or a grandparent about why you’re so excited to vote for Vice President Harris, you’re organizing and energizing different supporters.

So, please go to Go.KamalaHarris.com to search out methods to assist. And luxuriate in the remainder of tonight’s occasion, and let’s get to work.

MS. WINFREY: Let’s get to work. Let’s do one thing. (Applause.)

Meryl Streep, whats up. You and I — hello, Meryl Streep. (Applause.)

MS. STREEP: (Through teleconference.) Hello. (Laughs.)

MS. WINFREY: You and I’ve talked about this second.

MS. STREEP: Hello, hello, hello.

MS. WINFREY: How are you feeling? How are you feeling concerning the momentum?

MS. STREEP: Oh, man. This — this has been overwhelming to have the privilege to sit down in and — and take heed to the testimony of the individuals right here.

Hey, President Harris — oh.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Not but.

MS. STREEP: (Inaudible.) (Laughter and applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Forty-seven days.

MS. WINFREY: Forty-seven days, sure.

MS. STREEP: (Laughs.) From my mouth to God’s ear. (Laughter.)

And whats up, Oprah.

I believe the phrase of the day has been “preventable.” Preventable. All of this, the encompass of hatred and —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. STREEP: — and venom and toxicity and inspiring some phase of People to hate different phase of People —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. STREEP: — it’s simply loopy, and no one needs it. We’re finished.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s proper.

MS. STREEP: We’re finished with it.

I’m simply — I needed to ask you — (laughs) — I can’t consider I’ve this chance. (Laughter.) I in all probability by no means will once more. (Laughter.)

If — I’ve just a little Debbie Downer second, as a result of, really, I believe you’re going to win. I’m certain you’re going to win. I believe — (applause) — yeah. However what occurs if you win —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. STREEP: — and he doesn’t settle for it? And you already know that there’s going to be this lengthy slog of shenanigans. And I’m questioning wh- — how we get to that second, how we protect certification on January sixth? As a result of if it doesn’t occur, it’ll be possibly thrown again to the legislatures of the states.

And I’ve been — I’ve been working with State Authorities Residents’ Marketing campaign, which is SGC[C]America.com, so — they’re — they’re an incredible — they’re doing the — the unglamorous, down-ballot work of selling these — these candidates. As a result of we actually — I’m fearful about it. And I ponder — I ponder if we’re prepared for January seventh, eighth, ninth, and what occurs. What occurs?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: So, we will probably be prepared. However simply taking a step again and — and thanks, Meryl, to your — simply the present that you simply give: you — you’re a — you — your expertise and your creativity. Thanks for being right here.

One of many issues that I’ve realized in the midst of our marketing campaign is that extra People than we could understand who voted for Trump earlier than have determined January sixth was only a bridge too far. It — once we mirror and take into consideration what January sixth was, the place the president of the USA, sitting within the Oval Workplace, incited a mob, a violent mob, to assault the USA Capitol, such that 140 legislation enforcement officers had been injured — some had been killed — to — to try to upend a free and truthful election the place the American individuals voted — that was a bridge too far for lots of people.

And now we have sadly now seen how far he might go. And I believe there may be completely no tolerance in any respect for the overwhelming majority of People for that. And so they’ve seen the lies.

They perceive, for instance, nearly each court docket case — I believe each court docket case the place he’s challenged an election he misplaced. I mentioned on the talk stage, look, as a result of he’s having a really tough time, clearly, processing the truth that 81 million individuals fired him. (Applause.) Proper?

However — so, there may be that: that it actually was a bridge too far for thus many individuals that they aren’t prepared to repeat. However the different piece of it’s the attorneys are working. The — it’s essential that all of us communicate to our buddies and our neighbors about misinformation and assist them now see the way it happens, the place it’s occurring. It is vital that we get up for the integrity of ballot employees and people who find themselves engaged on Election Day.

And — and that we additionally — and that is critically vital, that we ask individuals to be alert about mis- and disinformation, and we ask them, “Don’t be afraid to vote.” As a result of I believe there may be additionally one thing fairly insidious about these assaults on the voters in these varied kinds which might be supposed to persuade folks that their vote gained’t matter. And, in that means, there’s just a little little bit of reverse psychology happening right here, and let’s — let’s simply be certain no one falls for it.

Your vote does matter, and we can not let anybody ever take our energy from us. We are able to by no means let anyone silence us. (Applause.)

And once we get these votes out, beginning quickly — early voting is already going to start out this week, I believe — by way of November fifth. And let’s be certain everybody votes. And we’re going to have a great Election Day. We’re going to struggle for the integrity of the individuals’s voice and for our democracy.

And, you already know, I’ll simply point out. Earlier, a few of us talked about what this implies when it comes to the world. You realize, Oprah, as — as vp, I’ve — I’ve met over 150 world leaders: presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, and kings. And the factor about representing the USA of the America is once we stroll in these rooms world wide, now we have traditionally and historically been in a position to stroll in these rooms chin up, shoulders again, with the self-appointed and earned authority to speak concerning the significance of democracies.

Individuals world wide are watching proper now. As a result of, you see, the factor about strolling right into a room and being a job mannequin is individuals watch what you do to see if it strains up with what you say.

And, in that means, the results of this election are straight going to impression the American individuals and folks world wide. That’s what we’re combating for and people are the stakes.

And that’s why we’re going to win, as a result of we all know what we’re combating for. We — as a result of we all know what we stand for. (Applause.)

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, Meryl.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks.

MS. WINFREY: So — thanks, Meryl.

What’s in your coronary heart to say to the American individuals, as now we have 47 days till November fifth? What’s in your coronary heart —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: We —

MS. WINFREY: — to say to notably these people who find themselves nonetheless undecided or possibly detached or on the fence nonetheless?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: We love our nation. I really like our nation. I do know all of us do. That’s why all people is right here proper now. We love our nation. We — we take pleasure within the privilege of being American.

And this can be a second the place we are able to and should come collectively as People, understanding now we have a lot extra in frequent than what separates us. Let’s come along with the — the character that we’re so pleased with about who we’re, which is we’re an optimistic individuals. We’re an optimistic individuals.

People, by character, are individuals who have goals and ambitions and aspirations. We consider in what is feasible. We consider in what might be. And we consider in combating for that.

That’s how — that’s how we got here into being, as a result of the individuals earlier than us understood that one of many best expressions for the love of our nation, one of many best expressions of patriotism, is to struggle for the beliefs of who we’re, which incorporates freedom to make selections about your individual physique; freedom to be secure from gun violence; freedom to have entry to the poll field; freedom to be who you’re and simply be, to like who you like overtly and with pleasure; freedom to only be. And that’s who we’re. We consider in all that.

And so, this can be a second the place we stand, understanding what we’re combating for. We’re not combating towards. It’s what we’re combating for.

MS. WINFREY: Thanks. Thanks. Madam Vice President. (Applause.) Thanks.

And I wish to say — (applause) — thanks, Madam Vice President. I additionally wish to say: Thanks, Jotaka. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks, Jotaka.

MS. WINFREY: Thanks, Jotaka Eaddy and the Win With Black Ladies, who began the gatherings on Zoom and the entire grassroots.

Now every of you listening tonight, you turn out to be your individual grassroots group to go ahead and do one thing, coming collectively for the most important Zoom name we’ve all ever had.

Thanks a lot. (Applause.)

And I simply wish to say — I simply wish to say, for all of you watching who’re nonetheless on the fence — you’re within the center; you’re unbiased, as I’m — or whether or not you’re — simply nonetheless don’t know what you’re going to do: That is the second for all first rate individuals, all caring individuals who need the very best for your self and also you need the very best for different individuals. That is the second for people who find themselves bored with the entire bickering and the entire name-calling; people who find themselves exhausted by the craziness —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.

MS. WINFREY: — and the made-up tales and the conspiracies. That is the second. You wish to get on together with your life, as a result of you already know that we are able to do higher and that we deserve higher.

You realize this. I do know you already know this. I do know you’re feeling this. I do know that is what you’re saying amongst yourselves. It’s in all of the conversations that we’re having, that you simply’re having.

And we’re higher than this. We’re higher.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: We’re higher than this.

MS. WINFREY: We’re higher.

And we wish to create a world the place our kids will probably be secure in class once more. And as my buddy and mentor Maya Angelou at all times mentioned, “When you already know higher, you bought to —

AUDIENCE: Do higher.

MS. WINFREY: — do higher.” Thanks.

So, let’s do higher and vote for Kamala Harris. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks, Oprah.

MS. WINFREY: Thanks to all of our particular company. Thanks for sharing your tales, for being right here — Ms. Shanette. (Applause.)

Vice President Harris, we thanks. We hope you retain combating for us —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’ll.

MS. WINFREY: — and the nation we should have.

Thanks a lot. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thanks, Oprah.

MS. WINFREY: To seek out out extra about how one can register or the place you possibly can vote, go to IWillVote.com.

Good evening, all people.