In her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, US Vice President Kamala Harris defended her move away from some of her most progressive positions, although she insisted that her “values have not changed” despite being ” seeking consensus”.
During the interview with journalist Dana Bash, broadcast on CNN on Thursday, the Democratic candidate for the US presidency in the upcoming November elections defended the importance of “generate consensus” and “find a common place of understanding where we can really solve the problem.
Sitting with her running mate, vice presidential candidate and current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris was asked specifically about her changes of mind around the ban on fracking and the decriminalization of irregular border crossings; some positions that he had defended during his last presidential campaign.
Harris confirmed that does not want to ban frackinga key energy extraction process for the economy of the decisive state of Pennsylvania, and said that “there should be consequences“for the people crossing the border without permission. “I think the most important and most significant aspect of my political perspective and my decisions is that my values haven’t changed“Harris said.
Biden’s support for his candidacy
The interview came at a time when voters are still trying to learn more details about the Democratic ticket in an unusually short period of time. The president Joe BidenHe gave in to pressure from his own party and ended his re-election campaign. just five weeks ago.
The interview focused primarily on politics, as Harris sought to demonstrate that she had embraced more moderate positions on issues that Republicans maintain are extreme.
Harris had not given an in-depth interview since she became her party’s standard-bearer five weeks ago, although she had given several while she was still Biden’s running mate.
The Democratic presidential candidate said that working with Biden was “one of the greatest honors” of her career, and recounted the moment when the still president called her to tell her that he was giving up his re-election bid and that he would support her. “She told me what she had decided to do and… I asked her: ‘You’re sure?‘ and he said, ‘Yes,’ and that’s how I found out.” Harris further said that she didn’t ask Biden to endorse her because “He was very clear that he was going to support me.“.
Migration and economic policy
Harris defended the Biden Administration’s record on the southern border and immigration, noting that during her tenure as vice president was tasked with trying to address the “root causes” that were promoting border crossings from the migrants’ countries of origin.
“We have laws that must be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences,” said Harris, who noted that he will try revive a bipartisan agreement in border policy.
Furthermore, the candidate made it clear that her campaign aims directly at the american middle class and says she wants to create what she calls a “opportunity economy”.
“What we’re going to do is reduce the cost of everyday goods, invest in American small businesses, invest in families. The work we’re going to do is investing in the American family around affordable housinga big problem in our country right now,” he said.
Harris maintains her support for Israel
Asked about the Israel war in Gaza After the Hamas attack on October 7, Harris said: “I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to defense of Israel and their ability to defend themselves.” But the vice president also reiterated, in line with what she has expressed for months, that the civilian deaths son too high for the Israeli offensive.
He also dismissed Donald Trump’s questioning of his racial identity after the Republican falsely suggested she changed her appearance for political reasons and “turned black.” Harris, who is of Black and South Asian descent, said Trump’s suggestion was “the same old, tired strategy.”
Trump and Harris plan debate on September 10. It will be the first meeting between Harris and Trump. The opponents had only been in the same space when Harris, as a senator, attended Trump’s joint speeches to Congress.
