'That little girl is me': Kamala Harris attacks Biden with personal story about race
During Thursday night's debate, Kamala Harris challenged Joe Biden over his remarks last week about working with segregationist senators James Eastland and Herman Talmadge.
Biden, appearing at a fund-raiser, was discussing the need for civility in Congress, and he mentioned the two Southerners as examples as senators he has worked within the past
“We got things done,” he said.
The remarks touched off a furor in some circles.
Turning to Biden on Thursday, Harris said she doesn’t think he’s racist, but she said it’s “hurtful” to hear him talk about finding common ground with who two senators who built their reputation and career on segregation.
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Harris cited Biden’s fight against school busing and told the story of a young California girl who was part of the second class to integrate her school.
“That little girl is me,” she said.
Biden watched stone-faced as Harris attacked him. When he got his chance to speak, he fired back at Harris, calling her criticism a “mischaracterization.”
Biden also appeared to criticize Harris for being a prosecutor.
“I was a public defender,” Biden told Harris. “I didn’t become a prosecutor.”
Biden argued he didn’t oppose busing but rather opposed federal implementation of that policy.
"I did not oppose busing in America,” Biden said. “I opposed busing by the Department of Education."
Biden then said his time was up.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'That little girl is me': Kamala Harris attacks Biden with personal story about race