Sep 10, 2024 - 09:52
By npr.org

Trump likes to attack Harris' native California. Its politicians say bring it on

When Vice President Harris faces off against former President Donald Trump tonight at the first presidential debate between the two candidates, he will likely continue his long record of attacking her home state of California.

But after years of being bashed in conservative media and politics, California politicians are on the offensive this election cycle — and relishing the opportunity to talk up the Golden State as one of their own runs for president.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who credits the vice president with encouraging Breed to run for office, said she knows her longtime friend will be prepared for anything Trump throws at her — including attacks on her home state.

The mayor said she, as well as San Francisco and the entire Bay Area, will be “watching with so much pride.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing Kamala Harris shine on the national stage,” Breed said. “We know Donald Trump will launch his usual array of dangerous and inhumane attacks, but I know she will bring her rare combination of toughness, intelligence and compassion to puncture his lies and show the American people what a real leader looks like.”

California, and the Bay Area in particular, have long been held up by the right-wing as a dystopic example of progressive failures. But in recent weeks, some of its leading Democrats have been eager to make their case for why that characterization is wrong.

They may have to do so without the Democratic presidential candidate’s help, however: Harris’ campaign and national Democrats seem happy to tamp down most direct mentions of the lightning rod of a state.