California Rep. Karen Bass has apparently emerged as a top contender for the position of Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden's running mate. But a video of her participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for one of the Church of Scientology's facilities in Los Angeles 10 years ago has resurfaced online, and could hurt her chances.
According to the Daily Caller, Bass served in the California General Assembly when she gave a speech at the event in question on 24 April, 2010.
"This day and this new Church of Scientology is an exciting moment because I know your goal and your commitment is truly to make a difference," she told those attending the ceremony which, as the media outlet notes, was led by Scientology president David Miscavige.
Bass claimed that the Church of Scientology "has made a difference, because your creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere", and praised the group's founder Ron L. Hubbard.
Many social media users went on to speculate that this reveal may not bode well for Bass' VP prospects, with some also making rather unflattering remarks towards the Church of Scientology.
Politico journalist Alex Thompson suggested that the episode in question is “partly an LA/CA politics thing”, as the Church of Scientology apparently has "a lot" of powerful and rich people in the area Bass represents, musing that "there are political risks of picking a VP who hasn't undergone the vetting of a national campaign".
Previously, Joe Biden stated that he would announce his pick for vice president in the upcoming presidential election during the first week in August.