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Harris attacks Biden's record on civil rights in debate | TheHill

posted onJune 28, 2019
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Article snippet: Sen. MORE's record on civil rights Thursday night in one of the most dramatic moments of the presidential debate as Democratic rivals seek to claw into the former vice president's front-runner status in the race. Biden and Harris clashed sharply over Biden’s record on civil rights after Harris interjected to bring up his controversial recent remarks about working with segregationist Sens. John Eastland (D-Miss.) and Herman Talmadge (D-Ga.) early in his Senate career. Harris, breaking into the conversation out of turn over the objection of NBC moderator MORE, said she didn't think Biden was racist himself but said him invoking the names of two senators who built their careers on segregation was “hurtful.” “I do not believe you are a racist and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground," she told Biden. "But I also believe, and it’s personal and I was actually very — it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country," she said. Harris also accused Biden of working with the lawmakers on opposing busing black students to predominantly white schools. “On this subject, it cannot be an intellectual debate among Democrats, we have to take it seriously, we have to act swiftly,” Harris said, receiving a huge round of applause from the audience. Biden appeared angered by the dig and shot back that Harris “mischaracter... Link to the full article to read more

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