On Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris provided her most detailed explanation yet for her shift on issues like fracking and immigration. In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris explained that while her core values remain unchanged, her role as vice president has offered her new insights into some of the nation’s most pressing issues.
During the exclusive CNN interview, Harris also stated that she would consider appointing a Republican to her Cabinet if she were elected president.
Harris shared for the first time that President Joe Biden had informed her of his decision to withdraw from his re-election bid following a poor debate performance. However, she did not comment on whether she would change Biden’s policy regarding arms sales to Israel.
Additionally, she dismissed Donald Trump’s comments questioning her racial identity, calling his remarks a “same old, tired playbook” and quickly moving on from the topic.
When asked about her top priorities for her first day in office if elected, Kamala Harris did not outline specific actions or executive orders. Instead, she emphasized her commitment to strengthening the economy, stating that one of her main goals is to support and bolster the middle class.
In the post-convention phase of the race, Harris is working to address scrutiny of her record and to provide more substance to her campaign pitch about how she would govern as president.
Harris has faced pressure to clarify her policy positions in more detail. Her recent campaign efforts have been driven not by detailed proposals but by an energized Democratic base responding to the increasingly competitive election.
During the interview, Harris was questioned by Dana Bash about her reversals on issues such as fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Bash asked, “How should voters interpret these changes? Are they due to increased experience and new information, or were they influenced by your presidential campaign? Should voters trust that your current positions will remain consistent if you are elected?”
Harris emphasized that despite her evolving positions, her core values remain unchanged.
“The most crucial aspect of my policy perspective is that my values have stayed consistent,” she stated. “Regarding the Green New Deal, I have always believed and worked towards addressing the climate crisis as a pressing issue, and we must set clear deadlines and metrics to tackle it.”
However, her campaign later clarified that Harris no longer supports the Green New Deal, a comprehensive climate change proposal introduced in 2019.
In a September 2019 climate crisis town hall hosted by CNN, Harris was asked whether she would implement a federal ban on fracking on her first day in office.
At the time, Harris expressed strong support for banning fracking, stating, “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking, starting with what we can do on Day 1 regarding public lands.” However, by the time she became Biden’s running mate, she had shifted her stance and even cast the deciding vote to expand fracking leases, as she mentioned to Bash.
On Thursday, Harris highlighted the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which included significant investments in combating climate change, as a testament to her climate achievements.
“We have established goals for the United States—and by extension, the globe—regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. My commitment to these standards remains unchanged,” she said.
She further explained, “What I’ve learned is that we can foster a robust clean energy economy without needing to ban fracking.”
Harris also referenced her tenure as California’s Attorney General, during which she prosecuted gangs involved in cross-border trafficking, as evidence of her commitment to immigration issues.
My values have remained consistent. That’s the reality,” Harris said. “After four years as vice president, one significant aspect has been traveling extensively across the country,” she noted, mentioning her 17 visits to Georgia since assuming office. “I believe it’s crucial to build consensus and seek common ground to effectively address and solve problems.