Vice President Kamala Harris recently addressed the shifts in her policy positions during a significant interview, emphasizing that her core values remain consistent. This interview, conducted by CNN’s Dana Bash in Georgia, alongside Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, marks Harris’s first in-depth media interaction since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. As they campaign across battleground states like Georgia, aiming to solidify Democratic support and sway undecided voters, Harris faced direct questions about her evolving political stances.
During the CNN interview, Bash pressed Harris on the apparent changes in her policy positions, particularly when comparing her current stance to her 2020 presidential campaign. Key areas of focus included energy policy, notably fracking and the Green New Deal, as well as immigration. Bash inquired how voters could maintain confidence in Harris’s positions, given these apparent shifts. Historically, Harris had voiced support for banning fracking and championed the Green New Deal. More recently, her rhetoric has become less definitive on these issues, and she has emphasized border security, even pledging to sign a bipartisan border bill.
In response to Bash’s questioning, Harris firmly stated, “My values have not changed.” She elaborated, “I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is, my values have not changed.” Addressing the Green New Deal, she clarified her long-standing belief in the reality and urgency of the climate crisis. She pointed to the Inflation Reduction Act as an example of applying metrics and deadlines to address greenhouse gas emissions, asserting that her commitment to addressing climate change remains steadfast.
Regarding border security, Harris reiterated, “My value around what we need to secure our border, that value has not changed.” She drew upon her experience as California’s Attorney General, where she prosecuted transnational criminal organizations involved in illegal activities across the border, emphasizing her consistent concern for border security.
A notable point of contention arose when discussing fracking. Harris initially suggested her stance against banning fracking was consistent, claiming, “as president, I will not ban fracking” and implying she hadn’t supported a ban in 2020. However, Bash directly challenged this, citing Harris’s own words from a September 2019 town hall where she unequivocally stated, “no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.”
Visibly taken aback by this direct contradiction, Harris maintained her position that by 2020, her stance was clear, despite having withdrawn from the presidential race in December 2019. Throughout this exchange, Harris consistently returned to the assertion that her core “values have not changed,” attempting to frame her evolving policy positions as consistent with these underlying values.
When pressed about her day-one priorities if elected president, Harris shifted focus to strengthening the middle class. While she articulated this vision, she did not specify any immediate executive orders or directives she would implement to achieve this goal.
In a potentially conciliatory move, Harris expressed openness to appointing a Republican to her Cabinet. “I think it’s really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion,” she stated, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives in decision-making. She suggested that including a Republican in her Cabinet would benefit the American public by bringing varied viewpoints to the table.
Regarding President Biden’s leadership capacity, amidst growing doubts following a recent debate, Harris firmly defended him, stating, “No, not at all,” when asked if she had any regrets about her handling of the situation.
On international policy, specifically concerning Israel, Harris affirmed unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense. “I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself. And that’s not going to change,” she declared. While reiterating support for Israel’s right to defend itself after the October 7th attacks, she also acknowledged the significant Palestinian casualties and the need for a resolution.
Governor Walz also faced scrutiny during the interview, particularly regarding a 2018 video where he mentioned carrying “weapons of war.” Bash questioned whether Walz had “misspoken,” as a campaign official had previously suggested. Walz explained his comments were made in the context of a school shooting discussion about “weapons of war,” attributing any grammatical inaccuracies to his wife’s critique and deflecting further scrutiny by pivoting to perceived attacks on his family.
Finally, Harris recounted the moment President Biden informed her of his decision to withdraw from the race. She described a casual Sunday setting with her family, interrupted by a call from Biden, which ultimately altered the course of her political career.
