Valerie Jarret: Harris Has Always Been Clear, Open and Consistent About Her Racial Identity

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
CAPEHART: “Can we talk about the role of race and gender in this campaign? As we saw at the national association of black journalists conferences in Chicago there was Donald Trump on stage being interviewed three black women and used that as an opportunity to call into question the vice president’s racial identity. She has always identified as a black woman. She is also a south Asian woman. How do you see the role of race and gender in this race, and whether the president should respond to the attacks coming from Trump?”

JARRETT: “First of all, Jonathan, to your point, she’s always been clear, open, and consistent up about a racial identity. Nobody gets to decide for her or speak on her behalf about that racial identity. Third of all, this is like an old playbook, and it’s really gotten kind of sad. This is the same thing that was tried 16 years ago with this birther nonsense, and you know what? It didn’t work then. It’s not going to work now. Why? The American people as evidenced by the incredible energy and enthusiasm we’ve seen in less than two weeks for her campaign they were really not focusing, they want to know who is going to fight for me? Who was going to improve my life? Who is going to put me first? Who was going to realize this job is not about being self- centered, but by being open and inclusive to the American people, and I think the fact that she received donations, many first-time donations, the cross-section of America is coming out with enthusiasm from her candidacy, and it is a candid seat that is joyful and hopeful and sees what we have in common and not our differences, and I think that’s what resonates. I think this old playbook didn’t work 16 years ago, and it’s not going to work now.”