Five Things to Remember from CNN's Harris Town Hall

Vice President Kamala Harris ramped up her criticisms of Donald Trump while pledging to pursue bipartisan solutions on issues like housing and immigration.

During an Oct. 23 town hall in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Harris answered questions from undecided voters just 13 days before the Nov. 5 election. This event, moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper, drew 32 voters open to persuasion, with a mix of past Republican, Democrat, and non-voters.

Delaware County, adjacent to Philadelphia, is part of a key swing region in Pennsylvania, a state crucial to the 2024 presidential race where Harris is in a tight contest with Trump.

Harris used the platform to differentiate herself from Trump, emphasizing her commitment to bipartisan problem-solving.

Sharp Criticism of Trump

Throughout the event, Harris made repeated critiques of Trump, beginning with a five-and-a-half-minute opening statement detailing her concerns about his fitness for office. She described Trump as "unstable" and "unfit to serve," referencing former administration officials like Mike Pence and John Kelly who no longer support him. When asked directly, Harris confirmed she considers Trump a fascist.

In the hour-long event, Harris criticized Trump while addressing nine of the 12 questions and mentioned him by name 27 times.

Commitment to Bipartisanship

Harris assured voters she would focus on bipartisan solutions to pressing issues like housing affordability and immigration reform. She stressed the importance of working across the aisle, pledging collaboration with Democrats, Republicans, and independents to tackle national challenges.

Harris consistently highlighted the need for practical, bipartisan solutions, particularly on immigration, emphasizing that leadership should prioritize the American people over personal agendas.

Immigration and Executive Action

Cooper pressed Harris on immigration, pointing out that recent executive actions had reduced illegal border crossings and questioning why these measures weren’t implemented earlier. Harris explained that the administration had hoped for a long-term, legislative solution but decided on executive action when progress stalled in Congress.

When asked whether the administration should have acted sooner, Harris defended the timing but reiterated the need for bipartisan efforts. She also addressed questions about funding for border security, indicating that she supports strengthening the border, even if it involves building sections of the wall.

Filibuster and Abortion Rights

On the issue of abortion, Harris was asked whether she would support any compromises if a national abortion law couldn't pass Congress. She expressed opposition to concessions and suggested that the Senate filibuster, which requires 60 votes to pass most legislation, should be reconsidered to enable action on this issue.