Harris, Cheney Unite in Brookfield to Court Moderate Voters

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (Civic Media) — Vice President Kamala Harris and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney spent about an hour engaging with voters at a Brookfield campaign event on Monday night, addressing a crowd at the Harris Theater in the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. The bipartisan discussion was moderated by former conservative talk show host Charlie Sykes.

“Welcome to this production of The Odd Couple. Okay, and it really is odd. I never thought I would be here, and you never thought I would be here. But that’s because this is not a normal election.” @SykesCharlie pic.twitter.com/NTbp9Kz0ST

— Civic Media (@CivicMediaUS) October 22, 2024

In a question about civility in politics, Harris gave an answer that is likely meant as an appeal to undecided voters. “The strength of our democracy requires a strong two-party system. It requires that we have healthy debate, that we have healthy debate based… based in logic and fact and that we debate it out” 

The crowd was friendly to the panel, erupting in applause after a Harris line regarding the Constitution, “We’ve never faced a threat like this before, and I think it’s so important for people to realize this Republic only survives if we protect it, and that means putting partisan politics aside and standing up for the Constitution and for what’s right and loving our country,”

The event, held in traditionally Republican Waukesha County, highlighted the Harris campaign’s efforts to reach out to moderate and conservative voters. Brookfield has shown signs of shifting politically in recent years.

In addition to conversation guidance from Sykes, there were pre-selected questions that came from the audience.  Those given a microphone were described as undecided voters, covering topics such as abortion, Social Security, and national security.   

Cheney declared herself pro-life, but did express concerns about state restrictions on abortion access. “I’m pro-life, and I have been very troubled, deeply troubled by what I have watched happen in so many states since Dobbs.”

Liz Cheney, whose father Dick Cheney served as VP in the second Bush administration, talked about ethical behavior outside of politics, and used that idea to make her point about former President Donald Trump, “If you wouldn’t hire someone to babysit your kids, you shouldn’t make that guy President of the United States.”  

“If you wouldn’t hire somebody to babysit your kids, you shouldn’t make that guy the president of the United States.” @Liz_Cheney pic.twitter.com/le9ZzwYPFH

— Civic Media (@CivicMediaUS) October 22, 2024

The Brookfield stop concluded a three-state tour for Harris, which included earlier events in Philadelphia and suburban Detroit. Her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has stops Tuesday in Madison, along with former President Barack Obama, and later solo in Racine.