GOP Leaders Urge Focus on Policy Over Identity Politics

Republican leaders have reprimanded party members for making racially charged comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, urging them to focus on her political record instead. During a closed-door meeting, House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that discussions should center on policy, not personal attacks, and criticized remarks that label Harris as a 'DEI hire'. Several Republican representatives, including Tim Burchett and Glenn Grothman, have faced backlash for suggesting that Harris's success is tied to her race and gender. Some GOP insiders express frustration, arguing that such comments detract from the party's messaging and shift focus back onto their conduct. The party aims to redirect the narrative towards Harris's performance rather than identity. Despite the pushback from leadership, the appropriateness of these comments remains a contentious issue within the GOP.