An emotional Liz Hayes claimed that presidential candidate Kamala Harris could have won the election if her campaign message had been as powerful as her concession speech.
Harris vowed to continue fighting for the ideals that powered her presidential campaign in a concession speech in which she acknowledged newly elected President Donald Trump’s victory while warning of possible dark times ahead.
Hayes, who covered the election with Karl Stefanovic for the Today Show, praised Harris for delivering a “brilliant speech” and handling the loss with grace.
“It gives me chills,” Hayes said.
‘If she had been like that during the campaign, I think she would have won.
‘That was a brilliant speech. That was strong and exactly what we wanted to hear. She’s great in defeat, and it’s such a contrast.”
But Stefanovic challenged his cohost.
Nine’s Today presenter Liz Hayes (right) has claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris could have won the election if she had delivered her message as strongly as her concession speech during her campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris conceded defeat in an emotional speech to her dozens of tearful fans in Washington
“I’m actually feeling quite nervous talking to both of you right now. With all due respect, the words didn’t matter in the end, it was the actions on the ground,” he argued.
Stefanovic said no amount of impressive speeches can compensate for the lack of real results.
“And you can talk all you want and think about it and give a great speech, but if you haven’t done it on the spot….”
However, Hayes defended Harris, saying her message didn’t resonate as strongly because Americans were more focused on everyday worries and financial pressures.
‘What [Kamala Harris] what we were fighting for was something more than that and that was freedom,” Hayes said.
‘She talks about it often, but freedom especially, women hear that, and we know what we are talking about.
“I just wish she had given such a strong message and powerful speech during the campaign.
“I think we would have thought differently, like ‘yeah, she’s strong, she can do it’, but you know, that’s showbiz.”
Hayes suggested that this would not be the last America heard of Harris.
‘Even in defeat, [Kamala Harris] has the ability to encourage women and youth to go. There are other things that are important too.
“She has something to tap into. She’s not ready yet and even you felt like this was a woman with some potential.”
In her concession speech, the Democratic vice president said the fight would continue “in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square.”
“While I concede the election, I will not concede the fight that this campaign has fomented,” she told supporters at her alma mater in Washington.
“While I concede this election, I will not concede to the fight that this campaign has ignited,” she told supporters, many in tears, at Howard University.
Harris, her voice wavering at times, vowed to continue fighting for women’s rights and against gun violence and “fighting for the dignity that all people deserve.”
She said she called Trump, congratulated him and promised to participate in a peaceful transition of power.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say – hear me when I say: the light of America’s promise will always burn bright,” she said. .
Republican leader Donald Trump claimed victory after defeating his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in key swing states
“I will not give in to the fight that this campaign has sparked. The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people,” Harris continued.
“Never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and are not told what to do by their government.”
She then urged voters to remain politically active despite her election loss.
‘Sometimes the fight takes a while. “That doesn’t mean we won’t win,” she said.
‘Don’t despair. This is not the time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to roll up our sleeves.”