Harris seeks Oprah boost as part of her digital media strategy

Vice President Kamala Harris sought a boost from less-motivated, impressionable voters by joining a livestream with former talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Thursday night in which the Democratic nominee focused on her plans to cut middle-class spending, restore abortion rights nationwide and tackle gun violence.

The event, billed as “Unite for America” and hosted by Winfrey from suburban Michigan — one of the most closely contested states in this election — sought to harness the same energy as Winfrey’s talk show, which boosted best-seller lists and allowed celebrities to share their softer sides and everyday people to talk about stories of struggle and inspiration.

She relied on celebrities like Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Lopez and Meryl Streep, but also on the stories of everyday voters, to promote Harris’s message over the course of 90 minutes and draw a contrast to former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party nominee. More than 300,000 people watched Harris’ campaign stream on YouTube alone, and the event was also broadcast on other major social media platforms.

“We all have those moments in our lives when it’s time to step up,” Harris said when Winfrey asked her about her overnight transformation from President Joe Biden’s running mate to the Democratic nominee in her own right after he abruptly dropped out of the race in July. “I felt a sense of responsibility, to be honest with you, and with that comes a sense of purpose.”

Winfrey told Harris it felt as if a “veil had fallen” and she “had stepped into your power.”

At one point Harris reminded viewers that she owns a gun — which surprised Winfrey — saying, “If anyone breaks into my house, they will get shot,” before adding, “I probably shouldn’t have said that.”

Harris had the opportunity to talk about her plans to lower housing costs and cut taxes for the middle class, while answering questions from voters in Michigan and Virginia.

Oprah recognized Hadley Duvall, a 22-year-old woman who became an abortion rights advocate after being raped by her stepfather as a child, in the audience.

“You can’t wait until it’s too late to worry about reproductive health care, because then it’s too late,” said Duvall, who appears in a new Harris campaign ad. “Thank you for listening to us and seeing us when the Supreme Court won’t,” Duvall added, acknowledging the Democratic nominee.

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