Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris spoke about her plan to boost the “opportunity economy” and defended her past political shifts and record as vice president during her first high-profile news interview since moving to the top of the ticket earlier this month.
Vice President Harris sat down with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for an extended session with CNN veteran Dana Bash, who addressed a number of issues during the closely watched interview, which expanded into an hour-long special titled “The First Interview: Harris Walz.” The interview was pre-taped earlier in the day while Harris and Walz were campaigning in Savannah, Georgia.
Asked what she would do on day one if elected, Harris replied: “I would be in day one implementing my plan for what I call the ‘opportunity economy.’ I’ve already put forward a number of proposals that include what we would do to lower the cost of everyday goods, what we would do is invest in small businesses in America” as well as families with her proposal for a permanent $6,000 child tax credit for low- and moderate-income families.
The highly publicized meeting comes after the Harris-Walz campaign’s successful Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which rallied the party’s supporters and gave Democrats a typical post-convention boost in the polls. But Harris has faced criticism and skepticism about her ability because she has given few interviews to reporters since becoming vice president in January 2021. In late July, Harris was thrust into her historic campaign when the 81-year-old Biden agreed with widespread calls for him to drop out of the race due to his advanced age.
Harris has defended her 180-degree shift on energy policy, including backing away from a promise to ban fracking. During her first presidential run in 2019, she pledged to ban the natural gas extraction process, which has profound environmental consequences. Harris told Bash that her position on fracking changed in 2020 and noted that she had not taken any steps to enact such a ban during her time as vice president. “I have kept my word and I will keep my word,” she said.
Harris kept her criticism of former President Donald Trump, her Republican opponent, to a minimum. But she did not hesitate to criticize him as a dangerous force in America.
“First and foremost, one of my top priorities is to do everything we can to support and strengthen the middle class. When I look at the aspirations and the goals and the ambitions of the American people, I think people are ready for a new way forward, in a way that has fueled generations of Americans with hope and optimism,” Harris told CNN. “Unfortunately, over the last decade, we had someone in the previous president who was really pushing an agenda and an environment that was designed to diminish who we are as Americans, and really divide our nation.”
Later in the interview, Harris was more explicit about the stylistic differences between herself and Trump, blaming the billionaire real estate developer-turned-politician for reflecting a different era of the American body politic.
“I’m talking about an era that began about a decade ago where there was some suggestion that the measure of a leader’s power was based on who you defeat rather than where I think most Americans believe that the true measure of a leader’s power was based on who you elevate,” she said.
Bash took Walz to task for a number of questions about his past statements and actions. Walz proved to be an effective campaigner by turning his answer into a political point that also served as a major differentiator between Harris and Trump. Walz has faced criticism for repeatedly asserting that he and his wife underwent IVF treatments while trying to start a family when they used a different fertility procedure known as IUI, or intrauterine insemination. Walz called it a distraction from the real issue of each candidate’s stance on abortion and reproductive rights.
“Most Americans understand this. And if you’ve been through it, I don’t think they’re cutting a hair off on IVF or IUI,” Walz said. “I think they’re cutting a hair off on banning abortion and denying families the opportunity to have a beautiful child.” Walz was also asked about critics’ claims that his past service as a “weapon of war” in the National Guard was exaggerated. Walz deflected the question, again suggesting that the furor over this was a tempest in a teacup that was overshadowing more important issues about gun safety and gun control policy. “I think people know me,” Walz said. “They know who I am. They know where my heart is.”
Other issues Harris highlighted as priorities for her administration if she wins in November include climate change, inflation, affordable housing programs, and the nationwide opioid and fentanyl epidemic. She also reinforced her support for U.S. support for Israel in its attacks on Gaza. She reiterated recent statements that the Biden administration is focused on negotiating a ceasefire. She pledged to continue “what we must do to achieve peace and stability in the region.” [ensure] “Israel is secure, and the Palestinians are equally secure, self-determined, and dignified.”
Harris and Walz avoided any major gaffes during the pre-recorded interview. Harris sounded like a former prosecutor as she confidently delivered her closing statement to Bash. “I’m running because I believe I’m the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race or gender,” she said.
