US Vice President Kamala Harrisin her first interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, vowed to bring the country past a brutal era of division while defending her shifting away from some liberal positions.
Joined by her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris, during the 27-minute-long interview to CNN’s Dana Bash, said: “When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward.” She promised to “turn the page on the last decade.”
When asked about her objectives if she is elected as the US President, Harris said that her focus would be on strengthening the economy. “First and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class. Prices, in particular for groceries, are still too high. The American people know it. I know it.”
During the course of the interview, Bash questioned Harris about her policy changes on fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. “How should voters look at some of the changes that you’ve made? Is it because you have more experience now and you’ve learned more about the information? Is it because you were running for president in a Democratic primary? And should they feel comfortable and confident that what you’re saying now is going to be your policy moving forward?” she was asked.
“My values have not changed,” said Harris as she began her defense. “As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking,” she said.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of breaking through dense shale to unlock natural gas.
During the interview, Harris reiterated her commitment to addressing climate change, stating, “I have always believed – and I have worked on it – that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.” (AP)
Harris said she had already changed her position on fracking in 2020, when she said during the vice presidential debate that Biden “will not end fracking.” “I have not changed that position, nor will I going forward,” she told Bash, adding, “My values have not changed. I believe it is very important that we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of the climate.”
She reiterated her commitment to addressing climate change, stating, “I have always believed – and I have worked on it – that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.”
Harris defended the administration’s record on immigration, asserting that her focus has been on addressing the “root causes” of border crossings in other countries. “We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences.”
Reflecting on Biden’s presidency and her time with him, Harris described it as “one of the greatest honors of my career”.
She also addressed concerns among Democrats about Trump potentially further restricting women’s rights following his Supreme Court appointments, repealing the Affordable Care Act, and using new immunity powers granted by the Supreme Court.
Governor Walz, who had previously been criticized for comments about handling weapons “in war,” elaborated on his remarks. He attributed his misstatements to his habit of speaking “passionately” and said, “First of all, I’m incredibly proud. I’ve done 24 years of wearing the uniform of this country. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools and around guns. So I think people know me. They know who I am. They know where my heart is.”
‘BORING’, says Trump
In response to Harris’s interview, Trump wrote “BORING” on Truth social. He also went onto criticize her answers and predicted dire consequences if she were elected.
Harris aimed to balance between defending the Biden administration’s legacy and presenting her own vision for the future, while addressing the shift in her policy positions since her last presidential bid. (AP)
“I just saw Comrade Kamala Harris’ answer to a very weakly-phrased question … her answer rambled incoherently, and declared her ‘values haven’t changed.’ On that I agree, her values haven’t changed — The Border is going to remain open, not closed, there will be Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens, Sanctuary Cities, No Cash Bail, Gun Confiscation, Zero Fracking, a Ban on Gasoline- Powered Cars, Private Healthcare will be abolished, a 70-80% tax rate will be put in place, and she will Defund the Police,” he wrote. “America will become a WASTELAND!”
Throughout the interview, Harris aimed to balance between defending the Biden administration’s legacy and presenting her own vision for the future, while addressing the shift in her policy positions since her last presidential bid.