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‘My values have not changed’, says Harris on policy shifts
Kamala Harris’s recent interview with CNN gained significant attention due to her relative absence from the media spotlight. This situation heightened the scrutiny surrounding her performance during the sit-down.
Her initial responses raised concerns as she struggled to articulate specific plans for her first day in office, instead offering broad statements about fostering an opportunity economy and addressing cost of living issues.
Harris is known for delivering responses that can be intricate and sometimes muddled, a trait her critics have labeled as “word salads.” While this interview did not heavily feature that issue, she must refine her messaging regarding economic reforms to effectively resonate with everyday Americans.
Throughout the conversation, which included her vice-presidential selection Tim Walz, Harris maintained a composed demeanor, crucially avoiding any missteps.
When questioned about her evolving positions on key issues since her previous presidential bid in 2019, Harris asserted that her core values remain unchanged, albeit acknowledging her current stance against a fracking ban and her support for stricter immigration measures.
In addressing accusations from Republicans regarding her approach to immigration, Harris highlighted her background as a California prosecutor. She frequently refers to this experience in her critiques of Donald Trump, particularly pointing out his criminal convictions.
“I’m the only person who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations involved in trafficking guns, drugs, and humans,” she detailed during the interview with CNN’s Dana Bash. “I’m the only candidate in this race with a history of enforcing laws in a border state.”
The immigration issue poses a significant challenge for Harris as it resonates deeply with voters nationwide, especially in light of the Biden administration’s struggles with the increase in undocumented immigrants at the southern border.
President Biden assigned Harris the task of tackling the root causes prompting Central American migration. However, this responsibility has led Republicans to label her as the “border tsar,” positioning her as accountable for the high rates of illegal crossings that have marked recent years.
Responding to this pressing issue, Harris mentioned plans to revive a border security bill that had gained bipartisan support in Congress but was ultimately derailed by Trump’s opposition, motivated by concerns over the political ramifications for himself.
This situation has provided Democrats with a narrative to explain the delays in addressing border issues. Harris expressed intentions to reintroduce the legislation, ensuring it reaches her desk for her signature.
As the election date of November 5 approaches, Harris must navigate a delicate balance in her campaign strategy. She faces the dilemma of either championing her role within the Biden administration or positioning herself as a forward-looking candidate advocating for change.
During the interview, she exhibited unwavering loyalty to Biden and steered clear of distancing herself from his policies. However, linking herself to successes, such as reducing prescription drug costs for seniors, also risks associating her with the Biden administration’s challenges, like escalating inflation, creating a complex landscape for her candidacy.
The Harris campaign often invokes the phrase “we’re not going back.” In this discussion, she committed to loyalty toward Biden while emphasizing the necessity to “turn the page on the last decade.”
This statement required clarification, as she specifically referred to a decade marked by division and animosity, rather than the shorter duration of the Biden-Harris leadership.
This moment encapsulated the difficulty Harris faces in presenting herself as a candidate of progress.
As Trump has sought to undermine her candidacy, he has resorted to personal insults, including remarks questioning her racial identity. When approached about these comments, Harris dismissed them, stating her opponent was relying on “the same old, tired playbook.” This approach is likely a strategic choice to ignore Trump’s provocations against the first female candidate of color to be nominated for the presidency by a major party.
Unlike Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, Harris refrains from emphasizing the significance of breaking racial and gender barriers, focusing instead on her qualifications. She asserted that her candidacy is rooted in her capability to perform the presidential role, independent of her gender or ethnicity.
Amidst this discourse, Trump characterized the interview in one word on his social media account: “BORING.” The Harris campaign may interpret this as an accomplishment, as avoiding any significant blunders is a primary objective in her interactions with the media.
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