Transcript from video clip above.
CHARLAMAGNE: I think a lot of your press hits get criticized. Folks say you come off very scripted. They say you like to stick to your talking points -
KAMALA HARRIS: That would be called discipline.
CHARLAMAGNE: -- and some people say you have an inability to fearlessly say who you are and what you believe. I know that's not true, but what do you say to that criticism? And is it fair for SNL to make fun of it?
KAMALA HARRIS: Hasn't Maya Rudolph been wonderful? I have nothing but admiration for the comedy, and I think it's important to be able to laugh at yourself and each other in the spirit of comedy, obviously, and not belittling people as my opponent would do.
CHARLAMAGNE: But what do you say to people who say you stay on the talking points?
KAMALA HARRIS: I would say, you're welcome! I mean, listen, here's the thing: I love having conversations, which is why I'm so happy to be with you this afternoon. The reality is that there are certain things that must be repeated to ensure that everyone knows what I stand for and the issues that I think are at stake in this election. And so it requires repetition.
You know, some people say that until someone has heard the same thing at least three times, it just doesn't stay with them. So repetition is important. And for that reason, yes, at my rallies, I say the same thing when I go to Detroit as I do in Philly, or wherever I am, to make sure that people hear and receive what I think are some of the most critical issues at stake in this election.
This is what so many refuse to see as it happens right before their eyes. They see someone unable to leave key talking points, yet she's doing it on purpose in order to drive home her message through intentional repetition as she notes above. And it makes even more sense when you realize that instead of an entire year-plus presidential cycle, she's had to hit stride and win an election in only 105 days as a person very few knew then as they know now after repeated exposure to her campaign messaging.Even from those who've criticised her for their past interactions as subordinates, not a single person has ever said that Harris isn't disciplined nor that she doesn't demand the same from those around her. As Trump floats from one verbalized thought cloud to the next - like a child blowing dandelion seeds into the wind - Harris maintains the message discipline that's served her well in her prosecutorial career and now as the head of the Democratic ticket.
Those who call her repetitions as 'talking points' are absolutely correct. But talking points only become definitive memories if they are heard multiple times by those hearing them. This fact is confirmed by the study and application of human psychology. And it takes discipline to make repetition effective.
