Initial excerpts from Kamala Harris’ pre-taped CNN interview with Dana Bash, featuring her running mate Tim Walz, have surfaced, revealing her explanation for recent shifts in her policy positions on illegal immigration and fracking. Despite these policy changes, Harris maintained that her “values have not changed.”
When questioned by Bash about her shift from supporting the decriminalization of illegal immigration to advocating for stricter border policies, Harris referenced her time as California Attorney General. She emphasized her experience in prosecuting gangs and criminals crossing the border, stating that she would continue such efforts if elected.
Kamala: “My values have not changed.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 29, 2024
Addressing her stance on fracking, Harris reiterated, “I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed.” She elaborated further, saying, “You mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed – and I have worked on it – that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.”
Harris had previously declared at a 2019 town hall event, “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking, and starting with what we can do on Day 1 around public lands.” In her CNN interview, however, she emphasized that while her approach may have evolved, her commitment to climate action remains steadfast. “We have set goals for the United States of America and by extension, the globe, around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed,” she added.
CNN’s Scott Jennings on Kamala Harris’ first interview of campaign alongside Walz:
“I think it’s incredibly weak—weak sauce—to show up with your running mate. The fact that they don’t have enough confidence in her to let her sit at the actual top of the ticket and do a single… pic.twitter.com/sVwJHNQzMQ
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) August 28, 2024
Despite being rated the most left-wing senator in Congress by GovTrack in 2019, Harris has recently adjusted several of her earlier positions. She told Bash that, contrasting with her previous hard-left stances, she has “invited diversity of opinion” throughout her career. In the past, Harris has expressed support for defunding the police and mandating the sale of electric vehicles.
🚨This CNN interview is a train wreck for Kamala Harris:
Kamala then: “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.”
Kamala now: “I made clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking.”
Also Kamala now: “I've not changed my position on fracking.” pic.twitter.com/Uwt4xAPjbK
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) August 30, 2024
As part of her vision to bring in diverse perspectives, Harris also mentioned that if elected, she would include a former Republican in her cabinet. “I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican,” Harris said, though she did not specify any particular individuals.
