Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey found herself in a challenging position during an ABC News interview on Sunday, as host Martha Raddatz pressed her on Vice President Kamala Harris’ controversial claim about U.S. military personnel. Harris had incorrectly stated that no American soldiers were currently deployed in active war zones, a claim quickly debunked by multiple sources. At issue is the fact that there are still U.S. troops stationed in Syria and Iraq, actively engaged in combat missions.
Harris made the original statement during a televised appearance, where she sought to emphasize the Biden administration’s efforts to draw down military engagements. However, her assertion about the absence of U.S. troops in conflict zones contradicted publicly available information, as roughly 900 soldiers remain stationed in Syria, with another 2,500 deployed in Iraq.
Gov. Maura Healey of Maryland dodged the question about the military and said Kamala Harris demonstrated her ability to be commander-in-chief while avoiding Kamala’s LIE that no active-duty U.S. troops are stationed in combat zones:
Martha Raddatz had none of it and asked:
“Why… pic.twitter.com/axNPbbBp3c— Gary D (@KMGGaryde) September 15, 2024
When asked about the Vice President's comment, Healey—one of Harris’ staunch political allies—appeared to evade directly addressing the misinformation. Raddatz did not let up, pushing Healey for a response on why Harris would make such a claim. Instead of providing a clear explanation, Healey pivoted to highlight the administration’s overall success in reducing American military involvement abroad, without directly acknowledging the error in Harris’ statement.
This moment comes at a critical time for both Harris and Healey, who have formed a close political alliance. Harris, the first female and minority Vice President, has faced a variety of challenges, including low approval ratings, despite playing a key role in the Biden administration's foreign policy. Healey, a rising star within the Democratic Party, is viewed by some as a potential candidate for higher office herself. Some political observers speculate that Healey's ability to navigate such tricky moments could impact her future aspirations on the national stage.
“That was a comment in the debate. The point she was trying to make was a larger point.”
— MA Gov Maura Healey
This is what they do. The left has no fidelity to truth. When they are caught lying, they pivot to “larger truths”
Journalists do this too
— James David Dickson (@downi75) September 15, 2024
Harris' remark has drawn considerable criticism, particularly from conservative media outlets, who have accused the administration of being out of touch with the realities faced by U.S. troops. Critics have pointed out that while the Biden administration has taken significant steps to reduce U.S. military involvement globally, there are still active American deployments that cannot be ignored. This incident only adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Harris’ tenure as Vice President.
The tension around this issue also reflects broader concerns among Democrats about the potential impact on their 2024 electoral prospects. With national security a key issue for many voters, Harris' misstatement could fuel Republican attacks on the administration’s handling of military matters. This situation has forced Democratic figures like Healey into the spotlight, as they work to manage the fallout and keep the party's message intact.
In the context of U.S. foreign policy, the Biden administration has indeed made significant strides in winding down the nation's long-term military commitments, most notably with the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. However, ongoing deployments in the Middle East underscore the complexity of fully extricating American forces from global conflicts. The misstatement by Harris reflects this complicated reality, where significant drawdowns are often accompanied by smaller, enduring missions.
Governor Healey’s reluctance to directly address Harris' error highlights the fine line that Democratic leaders must walk as they defend the administration's record. With the 2024 election fast approaching, the handling of such moments could prove crucial in shaping voter perceptions, especially on matters of national security.
We should add here that:
– THE 900 US SOLDIERS IN SYRIA ARE THERE AS ILLEGAL INVADERS!
Their Presence in Syria, protecting ISIS remnants, stealing Syrian oil, is AN ACT OF WAR!
AS SUCH, IT IS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE UN CHARTER!
– The 2,500 US SOLDIERS IN IRAQ ARE THERE AS RESULT OF AN ILLEGAL INVASION 2003!
The Government of Iraq was never free to decide about their presence – they were there as a result if the ILLEGAL INVASION UNDER THE FALSE PRETENSE OF “WMDs” -which never existed! THEREFORE, THEIR PRESENCE IS A CONTINUED ‘MILITARY OCCUPATION’ and an ILLEGAL ACT OF WAR!
President Trump had ordered, at least, the TROOPS IN SYRIA TO LEAVE!
THAT THEY ARE STILL THERE IS AN ACT OF TREASON!