Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her contentious comments implying that Harris’ lack of biological children reflects a deficiency of humility. According to Essence, in an appearance on the widely acclaimed Call Her Daddy Podcast with Alex Cooper, Harris confronted the remarks: “My kids keep me humble. Unfortunately, Kamala Harris doesn’t have anything keeping her humble.” Harris emphasized her belief that the governor’s perspectives are antiquated, stating, “I don’t think she understands that there are a whole lot of women out here who, one, are not aspiring to be humble, and two, have love, family and children in their lives in different ways.” She then elaborated on the vital need for women to empower each other rather than diminish one another.
Harris, as the stepmother of two adult children from her marriage with Doug Emhof, exemplifies the changing landscape of today’s families. She voiced, “We have our family by blood, and we have our family by love and I have both. I consider it a real blessing. I have two beautiful children, Cole and Ella, who call me Momala. We have a very modern family. My husband’s ex-wife is a friend of mine.” Harris added, “Family comes in many forms.” “This is not the 1950s anymore. Families come in all shapes and forms, and they are families nonetheless.”
Harris on Leadership and Abortion Rights
During the discussion, Harris also responded to comments from Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, who previously criticized “childless cat ladies” in leadership roles. She stated, “Most Americans want leaders who understand that the measure of their strength is not based on who they beat down, but who they lift up.”
As the conversation continued, Harris then delved into the ongoing struggle with abortion rights across the country. In her remarks, she highlighted how statewide abortion bans profoundly affect women, especially mothers, who are compelled to cross state lines to access necessary care. She said, “The majority of women who receive abortion care are mothers. Imagine being in a state with a ban… She’s going to have to figure out childcare, maybe time off work, and then travel to a city she’s never been to receive the care she needs.”
As the dialogue came to a close, Cooper sought to understand how Harris was feeling as the campaign approached its final stages. She candidly expressed a combination of optimism and concern, sharing that she felt both “great” and “nervous.” Harris spoke: “You know, there’s this old adage: there are only two ways to run: without an opponent or scared. So there you go.” “The only thing that matters is really just spending as much time as I can, as much time as I possibly can, meeting with people and talking with them about the stakes and their future.”