Sen. Kamala Harris went into Thursday night’s debate to deliver a message to former Vice President Joe Biden.
Harris, in a blunt, pointed attack that mixed her personal story and race, took Biden to task for his decades-old fight against busing to desegregate schools and comments about his ability to be civil and work with segregationist senators, two stories that have hounded the recent weeks of the former vice president’s campaign.
Harris was not asked a question when race came up. But the California Democrat – the only African American on the stage – inserted herself into the discussion and delivered the moment of the night – a direct attack on Biden.
“I will direct this at Vice President Biden,” Harris opened with, signaling her target. “I do not believe you are a racist and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground.”