US Vice President Kamala Harris recently gave her first interview since entering the presidential race, addressing several pressing issues and defending her evolving positions on key topics. This interview was a significant moment, as it provided insights into her current policy perspectives and her vision for the future.
During the interview, Harris was asked about the apparent changes in her stance on major issues such as immigration and climate change. These topics were pivotal during her previous presidential campaign in 2019, and some observers have noted that her current positions appear more moderate compared to her earlier, more progressive views.
In response, Harris stressed that while her policies may have evolved, her core values and principles have remained steadfast. She assured viewers that her fundamental beliefs about what is important for the country have not changed, despite the adjustments in her policy approach. This clarification was aimed at addressing concerns that her shift in policy could be seen as a departure from her original platform.
The interview also provided Harris with a platform to address her commitment to moving past the contentious and divisive rhetoric that characterized the Trump administration. She emphasized her desire to “turn the page” and foster a more constructive and unifying political environment. Joining her in the interview was her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who supported her views and highlighted their shared goals for the campaign.
Following the interview, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Harris’s performance. Trump dismissed the interview as “BORING!!!” and accused Harris of being a fraud. His remarks added a layer of controversy and highlighted the ongoing political tensions surrounding the presidential race.
Harris also faced questions about the current economic conditions under the Biden administration. With inflation and high living costs continuing to affect many Americans, she was asked why her proposed solutions to economic challenges had not yet been fully implemented. Harris defended the administration’s record by pointing out that significant progress had been made, though she acknowledged that more work remains to be done. She emphasized the administration’s ongoing efforts to address economic issues and improve the financial well-being of American families.
Polls indicate that many voters currently favor Trump’s approach to economic management over the Biden administration’s. This preference reflects the broader debate about the best strategies for addressing the nation’s economic difficulties.
In summary, the interview provided a detailed look at Harris’s current policy positions, her vision for the future, and her response to criticism from both political opponents and the public. It highlighted the challenges she faces as she campaigns for the presidency and her commitment to addressing key issues facing the nation.
Harris defends changes on fracking, climate, and the border
When questioned about her shift from more liberal to moderate policy positions, she asserted that her core values have remained consistent. She highlighted her previous support for the Green New Deal, a comprehensive Democratic proposal introduced in 2019 aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels. “I have always believed, and I’ve worked towards it, that the climate crisis is real and it is an urgent matter,” she stated.
However, she did not address why she changed her stance on banning fracking, a method used to extract oil and gas from shale rock. Fracking is a significant industry in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state. In 2019, she was clear that she supported a ban on fracking, but as vice president, she cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to approve new fracking leases. During a recent CNN interview, she clarified, “As president, I will not ban fracking.”
Her position on immigration has also evolved. In 2019, Ms. Harris advocated for closing immigration detention centers and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Currently, her stance on immigration is more stringent. She draws on her experience as California’s Attorney General, where she dealt with transnational criminal organizations. Earlier this year, she supported a bipartisan border security bill that included significant funding for additional wall construction. However, Trump’s pressure on Republicans led to the bill’s defeat, which Ms. Harris criticized as a cynical political move.
Biden’s approach to Gaza is expected to stay the same.
Ms. Harris was asked about the ongoing war in Gaza and reiterated the White House’s stance on the situation. She emphasized that both Israel and Hamas need to reach an agreement to resolve the conflict. The White House believes that it is crucial for both sides to negotiate a deal that addresses the issues and ends the violence. Additionally, she stressed that the Palestinians have a right to establish their own state alongside Israel.
“This war must come to an end,” Ms. Harris stated, “and we need to secure a deal that ensures the release of the hostages.” She highlighted the urgency of ending the conflict and freeing those who are held captive, but she did not offer any specific details or strategies on how such a deal could be achieved.
Ms. Harris also faced questions about whether she would support an arms embargo on Israel, a measure that some members of her party’s left wing have called for. She did not commit to imposing such an embargo, indicating that the administration has not taken a definitive stance on this issue.
Harris would choose a Republican to join her Cabinet.
To explain her balanced view on immigration, the Democratic nominee told CNN that traveling around the country as vice-president convinced her of the importance of building consensus. She also mentioned that she would include a Republican in her presidential cabinet. This would help her keep her promise to be a president “for all Americans.”
“I’ve always welcomed different opinions in my career. I believe it’s crucial to have people with various views involved in making important decisions.”
She refused to engage with Trump race comments
CNN’s Dana Bash asked Ms. Harris, whose parents were Jamaican and Indian, about recent comments from Trump. Trump suggested that she adopted a Black identity later in life for political reasons. This caused a lot of outrage, but the vice president hadn’t responded before.
When asked about it, she gave a very brief reply: “Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please.”
Later in the interview, when asked about the significance of her candidacy, she said she believes she is the best person to be president for all Americans, no matter their race or gender.
Walz says his “passion” caused him to make incorrect statements.
Mr. Walz was questioned about false claims he made about his military service and his personal struggles with having children. Ms. Bash asked him to explain a comment where he said he “carried” an assault rifle in “war,” but his campaign later clarified that he was never in a war zone.
The governor said he was just being emotional and passionate about gun crime in schools when he made that inaccurate statement. His “passion” also led to the incorrect claim that his wife had IVF treatments to conceive their children. In reality, she had intrauterine insemination, not IVF.
Biden called Harris to share the news with her.
Ms. Harris recalled the moment President Biden called her to say he was ending his re-election campaign in July. At the time, her family was visiting, and they had just finished pancakes, bacon, and working on a puzzle.
When asked if she requested his endorsement, Ms. Harris said her first concern was not about herself but about him. She added that Biden could have served another term if he wanted to.
“I’ve spent many hours with him in the Oval Office and situation room. He has the intelligence, commitment, judgment, and temperament that the American people deserve in a president,” she said.
In contrast, she believes former President Trump lacks these qualities.
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