OPINION:
When it comes to presidential campaigns, actions speak louder than words. Politicians say a lot of things, but it’s what they’ve done — and how they plan to behave — that typically determines how elections shake out.
In the 2024 presidential showdown between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, it seems every one of the candidates’ words and actions holds sway.
Mr. Trump has had numerous electoral hills to climb, but the stakes seem much higher for Ms. Harris, of whom many voters know very little. After all, the role of vice president is relatively covert and benign, and her past positions — widely seen as progressive — don’t necessarily jibe with her current rhetoric. This, of course, sparks deeper questions and scrutiny.
This juxtaposition between the candidates is important. Mr. Trump, who is unpredictable and bombastic, has already been president and, by all accounts, generally puts his cards on the table, be they good, bad or ugly.
Because of the lack of familiarity with Ms. Harris, however, her words and decisions this election cycle feel bigger, broader and more consequential, specifically because she hasn’t occupied the Oval Office. That’s why her recent missteps regarding faith and religion have felt so glaring.
One of the biggest blunders her campaign has made thus far was evading the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, an annual Catholic fundraiser that both major party candidates typically attend. It’s one of the few events that bring rivals together to trade barbs and laughs — a light moment desperately needed amid the cacophony of dysfunctional political discourse.
Even The Associated Press noted Ms. Harris’ move to campaign instead was “breaking with presidential tradition,” but there’s a broader issue at the heart of her decision: It spotlights some Christians’ worries that their interests might be overlooked in a Harris administration.
While Ms. Harris’ decision not to attend was most likely primarily motivated by her quest to use every available moment to rally voters and nothing nefarious, the Al Smith dinner has been a hallmark since 1960, when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy appeared together.
Beyond that, at a time when concerns over Ms. Harris’ religious liberty record and her treatment of Christian ideals matter most, her campaign avoided a political mainstay, opening up the opportunity for Mr. Trump and critics to argue that she doesn’t care much for Catholics.
“You better remember that I’m here and she’s not,” Mr. Trump told the Al Smith audience, quipping that Ms. Harris would have attended if organizers “told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis.”
Jokes aside, Ms. Harris’ decision not to attend — and to send along a video that some believe missed the mark — only adds fuel to the proverbial fires igniting consternation among some faithful.
Then, almost simultaneously, the Democratic contender found herself at the center of another faith-inspired row. Ms. Harris has been going viral in recent days over an interaction she had with pro-life protesters at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The protesters decried abortion and proclaimed “Christ is King” and “Jesus is Lord.”
“You guys are at the wrong rally,” Ms. Harris responded, sparking audience cheers. The problem? Many faithful were howling for very different reasons, perceiving Ms. Harris’ “wrong rally” comments as anti-Christian, or at least dismissive of religious people.
Whether that’s fair, it’s the official narrative for millions — one set around the contentious issue of abortion, on which Ms. Harris has been unapologetically progressive. It’s no secret abortion is one of the biggest barriers separating her from many Christian voters, especially as she campaigns to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.
In fairness to Ms. Harris, it’s not clear if she heard the comments about Jesus being Lord. It’s quite possible she was addressing protesters’ other proclamations that “abortion is the sacrament of Satan” or responding to their overall existence at her event.
Regardless, her response offered plenty of fodder to Christians and conservatives already weary of her candidacy. Ultimately, it’s essential for her actions to align with her words. If she wants this audience to respond favorably, these moves aren’t helping.
The cherry on the cake this week, though, was Ms. Harris’ bizarre admission she would reject any religious exemptions for abortion access legislation. That is sparking alarm bells, with some wondering whether religious liberty will be respected under such a paradigm.
Ms. Harris has, in recent weeks, started to reintegrate faith into her campaign, especially as outlets such as NBC News have noted the election season “has dwelled less on candidates’ personal faiths than any in recent memory.”
Last weekend, she visited churches in Atlanta as part of the “souls to the polls” initiative, an effort to rally Democratic voters to her cause. In fact, after she was done speaking, congregants were bused to early polling places, showcasing the electoral ties.
The reality remains: Both Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump have often been elusive on the faith front. But despite Mr. Trump’s antics, he has delivered some notable religious liberty wins (i.e. actions), particularly for the evangelical Christians who continue to support him.
From nominating Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade and instilled religious freedom in cases such as Kennedy v. Bremerton School District to designating Jerusalem the capital of Israel, Mr. Trump has taken positions that elate many social conservatives and Christians.
But Ms. Harris’ views on abortion, transgender issues and other matters have left believers concerned about policies she would enact.
I’ve already detailed some of the reasons some Christians are terrified of a potential Harris administration. Her past attempts to instill what critics saw as a religious litmus test for a Catholic judicial nominee in 2018, her decision to tour an abortion clinic earlier this year and her appearance on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” only add to the disconnect.
As I’ve reported, Ms. Harris’ past quest as a senator in 2018 and 2019 to support the Do No Harm Act — a bill long been seen by critics as an attempt to erode religious liberty — has also been a major point of contention, with some warning it could erode the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
With all this in mind, Ms. Harris must do more than speak if she wishes to reach Christian voters.
She must exhibit action and pledge that her future plans will be mindful of these concerns.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” He is the author of four books.
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