Kamala Harris has launched a scathing attack on Joe Biden for his comments about segregationists, saying his words were “hurtful”.
The former vice president has in recent days been trying to claim down a controversy he sparked by saying during his career in Congress, he had managed to get business done by being civil to those he disagreed with, among them two Republicans who were pro-segregation.
On Thursday evening, Ms Harris, a California senator who is African American, delivered a stern rebuke to Mr Biden, that briefly created a look of bewilderment on his face.
“I do not believe you are a racist. And I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground,” Ms Harris said, in perhaps the most dramatic exchange of the evening.
“But I also believe – and it’s personal and it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country.”
Ms Harris, a former prosecutor, went on to challenge Mr Biden’s stance on busing to desegregate public schools during the 1970s, telling the former vice president that she was bused as a child two decades after the Brown v Board decision to end the separate but equal policy in the American education system.
Mr Biden said Ms Harris was mischaracterising his position.
Ms Harris then asked Mr Biden if he agreed he was wrong to oppose busing in America.
Mr Biden said he did not oppose busing, but federal intervention in the issue.
Ms Harris then shot back: “There are moments in history where states fail to support the civil rights of people.”
She added: “There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bussed to school every day. That little girl was me.
“So I will tell you that on this subject, it cannot be an intellectual debate among Democrats. We have to take it seriously. We have to act swiftly.”
She finished by saying: “There is not a black man I know, be he a relative, a friend or a coworker who has not been the subject of profiling or discrimination.”
