Commentator Chris Matthews has urged Vice President Harris to distance herself from the liberal wing of the Democratic Party as she runs for president this fall.
Appearing on MSNBC early Monday, Matthews said Harris should lean into her personal story, saying, “She has the opportunity to say, ‘This is me. I’m the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, I had a strict mother, I went to Howard University.'”
“People want to know why you decided to go to Howard University and why you don’t identify with the history of African-Americans in this country,” Matthews added.
Matthews said Harris should also clarify that she is not a member of “The Squad,” a reference to a group of liberal House members that includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).
Matthews stressed that Harris is “not a far-left person” and said she should tout her experience as a prosecutor and her belief in the law “not just for Trump,” a reference to former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Harris added that she would like to see the law implemented in “big cities” and stressed that she is “not George Soros District Attorney for Philadelphia.”
“I think she has to work on both fronts.”
Harris was endorsed by President Biden on Sunday after he dropped out of the presidential race, and in the hours since has garnered a growing number of endorsements from key Democratic governors and party heavyweights.
