Texas GOP Slams VP Harris In Anticipation of Campaign Visit
Vice President Kamala Harris faced severe criticism from Texas Republicans as her electoral campaign stop in Texas approached, a visit set to occur just ten days before the crucial Election Day.
In a concerted effort, over a dozen Texas Republican officials publicly castigated Harris ahead of her Friday campaign rally in Texas, focusing particularly on her immigration policies and contrasting them with former President Donald Trump's, as Fox News reports.
Harris was scheduled to address supporters and discuss several key issues including Texas's strict abortion laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in 2022.
This visit marked a critical point in her campaign, engaging with voters about policy decisions that have stimulated intense national and local debates.
However, the reception from the Texas Republican contingent has been anything but welcoming.
Gov. Greg Abbott has been vocal about his criticisms, specifically targeting Harris for not visiting the family of Jocelyn Nungaray, a victim of violent crime by illegal immigrant gang members, which he attributes to lax border control under her oversight. Abbott's condemnation extends to accusing Harris of enabling the entry of over 11 million unauthorized immigrants and other criminals into the U.S.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick echoed this sentiment, implying that Harris's decision to visit Texas may inadvertently aid Trump's campaign by highlighting perceived failures of the current administration. He suggested that her visit was a strategic error with the elections looming so close.
Cruz, Others Link Harris to Local Democratic Policies
Sen. Ted Cruz has taken a similar line of attack, associating his Democratic Party opponent, Colin Allred, with Harris’s policies, which he claims have worked against Texan and American interests. Cruz's criticisms encompass a range of policy areas from immigration to energy, projecting Harris and Allred as aligned in their policy goals.
Adding to the chorus, Sen. John Cornyn has challenged Harris's effectiveness on border security, claiming that the border was more secure under Trump’s presidency. Rep. Ronny Jackson has accused the vice president of jeopardizing American safety with her border policies, a sentiment resonated among his fellow Republicans.
The label "Border Czar," as used to describe Harris, encapsulates the Republican critique of her role in managing U.S. border security, a title which both Harris and the administration have rejected. This criticism was underlined by official responsibilities assigned to her by President Biden during their first year in office to tackle the root causes of immigration.
Beyoncé Rally Appearance and Effect on Voter Turnout
There was also buzz on Friday around the possibility that superstar Beyoncé would join Harris at her rally in Houston, something Democrats hope will influence public interest and turnout. As the state geared up for the VP's visit, Texans are keenly observing not just the political rhetoric but also the celebrity endorsements that often accompany such high-profile campaign events.
Detailed discussions of Harris's border policies were highlighted during her appearance at a recent CNN town hall event, where she expressed support for a bill funding a border wall, a contentious issue among her supporters and critics alike.
Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has publicly condemned what he sees as the disassembly of effective border policies by the Biden administration, of which Harris is a pivotal figure, advocating for policies he perceives as favoring open borders over stringent enforcement.
Paxton Challenges Administration's Legal Compliance
Paxton's confrontations with the administration have been legal as well as rhetorical, with him stating, "If she wanted a secure border, why did I have to sue her administration dozens of times to force them to follow federal immigration laws?"
This direct challenge underscores a broader Republican narrative of law and order being compromised under current leadership.
Other Texas lawmakers, including Roger Williams and Wesley Hunt, have also articulated a need for Harris to seek forgiveness from Texan families adversely impacted by what they consider her failed immigration policies.
They cite specific tragic incidents like the death of Jocelyn Nungaray, attributing direct responsibility to policy lapses on Harris's part.
The critical voices from Texas GOP figures highlight a deeply entrenched partisan divide on immigration and border security, encapsulating the broader national debate over these fiery electoral issues as the country heads closer to Election Day.