Former Democratic fundraisers expressed frustration and disappointment Friday over Vice President Kamala Harris' interview with Oprah Winfrey, calling it “unreal” and “condescending.”
Former Democratic fundraiser Evan Barker and former Obama fundraiser Allison Huynh Appeared On “The Ingraham Angle,” Winfrey pointed to growing concerns within some factions of the Democratic Party about the administration's messaging and connection to working-class Americans. The interview, intended to boost Harris' image ahead of the election, seemed to come across as more unflattering. Critics argued that Winfrey inadvertently highlighted a disconnect that they believe Harris and the Biden administration have struggled to overcome.
“It felt like Oprah was preaching to working-class people who are struggling. Oprah doesn't know what it's like to not be able to afford groceries,” Barker told Laura Ingraham. “Oprah doesn't know what it's like to go to a gas station and have a hard time putting gas in your car. She's not affected by the economy right now. So it just felt very surreal to me.”
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The interview also touched on Winfrey's portrayal of Harris as a self-made success.
“Did anybody notice that Oprah was basically making fun of the people who work at McDonald's? Did anybody notice that part of her profile? She said that Kamala Harris, who worked at McDonald's, told everyone else who works at McDonald's now, who are working class people, that there is still hope for them,” Barker said. (RELATED: Kamala Harris says intruder at home “has been shot at”)
“So the whole show was incredibly condescending. It's really embarrassing. It's so representative of the Democratic Party and how out of touch they are with ordinary people who are struggling right now.”
The sentiment echoes concerns recently expressed by Barker. Editorial In an op-ed written Tuesday, Barker criticized the administration for being out of touch with the economic realities of ordinary Americans, saying the party's pivot to wealthy elites has alienated many former Democrats, who have been driven away by the party's prioritization of donors over its traditional union base.
Major media outlets gave enthusiastic coverage of Harris' “Unite for America” rally in Michigan, hosted by Winfrey, despite her incoherent responses at the rally on Thursday. Headlines highlighted the “emotional” atmosphere of the rally, and Harris gave incoherent responses to questions about closing remarks prompted by Winfrey about the border crisis, the cost of living and a message to the American people as the election approaches.
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