ABC NEWS POLITICAL ANALYST DONNA BRAZILE WAS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE ANNUAL WELLNESS SYMPOSIUM FOR BLACK WOMEN, OCT. 26, 2024. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)
Kamala has proven she ‘can lead us all,’ Brazile says
Outspoken political strategist Donna Brazile, just 10 days before Election Day, was the keynote speaker for the second annual Wellness Symposium for Black Women, sponsored by The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Links Inc., and The Links Foundation. The non-partisan event also featured a number of experts who spoke on physical, mental, financial and civic wellness.
“Ten days out, how many of y’all are counting the days?” Brazile asked the assembled crowd at CCAC, Saturday, Oct. 26. “How many of you are committed over the next 10 days to use your voice and your visibility to ensure that more people turn in their ballot?”
Brazile is a staunch Democrat, most known for leading Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore’s campaign in 2000, in which he won the popular vote. She’s a frequent contributor on ABC News’ “This Week,” which airs Sunday mornings, and a former contributor to CNN.
She has thrown her full support behind Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump in the presidential election, Nov. 5, of which she made clear weeks before the event at CCAC.
During her 25-minute speech, Brazile showed she has a thing for comedy, getting the crowd to laugh at a number of comments, including saying that people must find others wherever they may be and get them to vote, even if they’re at the “Dollar 25 Tree.”
“You’re talking to one another, you’re volunteering, you’re hosting these events…we have so much at stake and I urge each and every one of you to give it your all,” Brazile said onstage.
JAMY RANKIN, PRESIDENT, PITTSBURGH CHAPTER OF THE LINKS INC., DONNA BRAZILE AND CCAC PRESIDENT QUINTIN BULLOCK
Brazile made it clear that she has not been paid by any political party since 2000. “My Black job is ABC News,” she said, to laughter. “And voting is my Black job. So I need you all to stay engaged, stay informed…Everything matters now. What’s happening in the Middle East will impact us. What’s happening in the Far East will impact us. And yes, what’s happening at our borders (will impact us).”
“Trust is the missing ingredient in American politics,” Brazile added.
Brazile reminded the audience that some Republicans like former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney have denounced Trump and are supporting Harris. Brazile said there are Republicans out there who know the danger of Trump, and there are more Republicans out there that don’t want to support Trump, but also don’t want to say it publicly.
Brazile also touched on the notion that some Black men don’t want to support Harris and would rather support Trump. Brazile said that Black men will be “in good hands” with Harris.
Brazile was asked how Black women should view themselves in this important election. “We need to put this conversation on the table. We have a community who will stand up, defend the constitution and will work on behalf of all Americans. Her name is Kamala Harris,” Brazile said. “She’s terrific, she’s smart, she’s capable and she has put forth the policies that will help the American people. Her opponent is the former President of the United States of America. He has been convicted on 34 felony counts, he’s still facing trial in several jurisdictions…he’s also had fines for sexually assaulting a woman…here’s the only simple fact. He does not believe in the rule of law and he has not conceded the last election. Thereby saying to 81 million Americans who voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris that our votes don’t matter.”
Brazile was emphatic when she said the Black women’s vote for Harris means a vote for someone “who can lead us all.”
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)
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