Vice President Kamala Harris has made a significant shift in her political positions as she seeks consensus and builds a common understanding to solve problems. In a recent interview, Harris defended her decision to move away from some of her more liberal positions, such as banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, which she previously supported during her last presidential campaign. Harris emphasized that while her policies may have changed, her values have remained consistent.
During the interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris also discussed her experience serving alongside President Joe Biden, whom she called one of the greatest honors of her career. She highlighted the moment Biden informed her of his decision to step down and endorse her as his successor. Harris expressed her commitment to following and enforcing laws regarding immigration and border control, emphasizing that there should be consequences for individuals who cross the border illegally.
Harris faced questions about Israel’s conflict in Gaza and reaffirmed her unwavering support for Israel’s defense while expressing concerns about civilian casualties. She dismissed former President Donald Trump’s remarks questioning her racial identity and stated that his comments were part of a “same old, tired playbook.” Harris and Trump are scheduled to debate on September 10, marking the first-ever meeting between the two opponents, with Trump criticizing Harris for changing her positions on multiple issues.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, also faced scrutiny during the interview for misstatements he made about his military service and how he and his wife conceived their children. Walz defended his statements, attributing any inconsistencies to misspeaking and shifting the focus to Republican opposition to abortion rights. Meanwhile, Democratic enthusiasm for the upcoming election has surged in recent months, with polling indicating strong enthusiasm among Democrats compared to Republicans.
Harris concluded a two-day bus tour in southeastern Georgia with a rally in Savannah, where she portrayed her campaign as the underdog and urged supporters to work towards her election in November. She highlighted key Democratic concerns, including women’s rights, healthcare, and the potential for unchecked presidential powers. As the election rapidly approaches, Harris has additional campaign events planned with President Biden in Detroit and Pittsburgh, with the first mail ballots set to be sent to voters in just two weeks.
