“I’m honored to serve. And I am committed to re-electing President Obama. I believe he is the right president, at the right time for our country.”

By JAMES W. WADE III
Staff Reporter

Despite a redeye, midnight flight fromSan Francisco, followed by whirlwind Democratic Party pep talks inAkronandYoungstown, the California Attorney General Kamala Harris came toClevelandwide-eyed and ready to rally support for President Barack Obama’s campaign.

With a stop at the Call & Post, Harris’ message was quite clear. The failure to get out and vote in this Presidential election will present serious consequences to a vast majority of Americans, including women and African Americans. At the conclusion of her meeting with the C&P Editorial staff, Harris was joined by Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, who doubled down in support of the California Attorney General’s assertion about the importance ofOhio’s turnout for this year’s election.  

Harris began the impressive road to her current California position as Attorney General after attending Howard University in Washington, D.C. and receiving her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989.

Harris became a member of the California Bar in 1990.

She explained how her parents were very involved in the Civil Rights Movement and that started her interest in working and helping people. Harris also said, since she was a child, she wanted to be a lawyer and help people.

“I always want to be a voice for the voiceless,” said Harris.

Harris, born inOakland,California, shared how her parents divorced when she was young and her mother raised her and her sister to be proud African Americans in her early years and during the civil rights days.

While talking the editorial staff at the paper, Harris talked about her personal relationship with the president and her fight against the foreclosure problem. “I will always make time to support my president,” she said.

Believing everyone has to make a difference, she briefly touched on they wayOhiohas been involved in the extended voting problem and how importantOhiois for President Obama to win.

“We have to touch everyone and get them registered. Mainly, we have to get those 18 to 24 year olds in college, who will make a huge difference,” said Harris.

Later, Harris spoke to a group of politicians, community activists and various leaders from the city ofClevelandat the Call & Post. She was in town speaking on behalf of the Obama campaign and why it is so important to register to vote.

The meeting, pulled together by Lynnie Powell, included the likes Prosecutor Bill Mason, Judges Lauren Moore andEmanuellaGroves, City Councilmen Jeff Johnson and Zack Reed.

The honorable retired Congressman Louis Stokes had the pleasure of introducing her to everyone in a style that only Stokes could do. Harris is the first female African-American and Asian American attorney general in California as well as the first ethnic Indian American attorney general in the United States.

She talked about the need for people to get out this November to vote. Noting that challenger Mitt Romney is going to out spend President Obama with his commercials and ads, she said she knows how it feels to have the deck stacked against you.

“I was the underdog but I beat the odds to become the first Black attorney general.”

While the room cheered for Harris, she talked about how the president came out and campaigned for her when she ran for attorney general. “Every since President Obama has taking office, he has worked so hard to provide relief for struggling middle class families and to build a strong foundation for a strong economy that’s built to last. The president’s leadership and vision for the future will continue to move the country forward, rather than taking us back to the failed policies of the past,” Harris said.

Harris advised everyone to make sure they are registered and to be a part of this 2012 Obama campaign like they did four years ago.

“Four years is a long time ago. My shoes don’t look the same from four years ago. We must get out and vote this election,” she said.

She talked about the good relationship she had with President Barack Obama and how she had to be on the road supporting him. Harris talked about being a strong supporter of the president’s health care law and told the audience she filed an amicus brief in federal court defending it. “Healthcare is real important for everyone,” said Harris.

The commitment Harris has for President Obama is a serious one.

“I’m honored to serve. And I am committed to re-electing President Obama. I believe he is the right president, at the right time for our country.”

At the end of her presentation, the honorable Louis Stokes came up and thanked her for coming to Cleveland, sharing her wisdom, and firing everyone up about the importance of keeping President Barack Obama in office for another four years.