MSNBC on Monday scored an exclusive interview with presidential candidate Kamala Harris. But instead of offering any tough questions to the 2020 Democrat, such as wondering why she is fund-raising off this weekend’s mass killings, host Ali Velshi tossed softballs.
Assuming gun control is the main solution, Velshi wondered, “What's the issue? Ninety percent. More than 90 percent of Americans support some strengthening of gun laws in this country, and yet we can't get Republicans to take this to the floor of the United States Senate, Mitch McConnell.”
He added, “Is this the NRA as the lobby for the gun industry acting as a protection racket for people who hold up their views?”
Velshi offered very little in the way of push back when he prompted Harris to expand on her plan to enact gun control via executive order, should she become president: “You have said, you have promised or threatened depending on what one's perspective is, that if Congress doesn't take action in the first 100 days that you are the President, you will.”
He also failed to ask about Harris fund-raising over the weekend off of the shootings in Texas and Ohio. The subject headline to her e-mail insultingly read “No more thoughts and prayers.”
On Sunday afternoon, 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., also sent out a fundraising email citing the shootings, with the subject line: “No more thoughts and prayers.”
Her email, however, was geared more toward raising money for other gun violence prevention groups, including Giffords' organization. “No more thoughts and prayers. We need action,” Harris’ email said. “If you’re with me, split a contribution to Giffords, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.”
A transcript of the questions can be found below.
MSNBC Live With Ali Velshi
8/5/19
3:23 PM ETALI VELSHI: On the phone, presidential candidate, Senator Kamala Harris. Senator Harris, thank you for joining us.
KAMALA HARRIS: Of course, Ali. Thank you.
VELSHI: You just Martin Luther King, III saying with the stroke of a pen these things can change. You have said, you have promised or threatened depending on what one's perspective is, that if Congress doesn't take action in the first 100 days that you are the President, you will.
...
HARRIS: What's the issue? Ninety percent. More than 90 percent of Americans support some strengthening of gun laws in this country, and yet we can't get Republicans to take this to the floor of the United States Senate, Mitch McConnell. Is this the NRA as the lobby for the gun industry acting as a protection racket for people who hold up their views?
...
VELSHI: I want to ask you, because as you've been speaking, the National Rifle Association has issued a statement and I want to read it to you. It’s very brief. It says, “The National Rifle Association welcomes the President's call to address the horrific acts of violence that have our country. It has been the NRA’s long-standing position that those who have adjudicated as a dangerous to themselves or others should not have access to firearms and should admitted for treatment.” What’s your response to that?
...
VELSHI: Do you think there's any likelihood that's [the Senate will vote on gun control] going to happen?
...
VELSHI: Senator Kamala Harris, thank you for your time today and we will continue to discuss this matter with you.
