Harris' CNN interview cements shift to center on fracking, border. It's
disappointing.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz's CNN interview on Thursday night was a
chance to get their platform across to voters. Instead, she left
progressives like me wanting more.
Sara Pequeño
USA TODAY
Vice President Kamala Harris received rightful criticism in recent weeks
for her failure to hold a press conference since becoming the Democratic
presidential nominee. On Thursday night, she tried to remedy this with a
prerecorded CNN interview.
Instead, she left me a little disappointed – particularly with her claim that
she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected. I was excited
about Harris up to this point, but that and other statements to reporter
Dana Bash ‒ on issues from fracking to immigration ‒ are proof that she's
shifting toward the middle.
“I believe it is important to build consensus, and it is important to find a
common place of understanding of where we can actually solve
problems," Harris said.
That's a great sentiment – but that's not why I liked her. I liked the 2020
presidential candidate who championed bold ideas.
There are only 10 weeks until the election: Every minute of airtime
matters. Thursday night's interview was fine. Not everything was
addressed – including, surprisingly, abortion – and Harris must do more
media events to get her platform across.
Harris and Walz needed to make the case for lowering costs
Democratic presidential running mates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are
interviewed by CNN’s Dana Bash at Kim’s Cafe in Savannah, Ga., on Aug.
29, 2024.
One of the biggest issues for voters is the economy, and it's an issue
where Harris is lagging slightly. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 43% of
registered voters prefer former President Donald Trump's economic plan,
compared with 40% who support Harris'.
In her first answer, Harris said she would implement an "opportunity
economy" on Day One of her administration. She championed the child tax
credit, affordable housing, dealing with price gouging and other ways to
strengthen the middle class.
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"When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American
people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward in a way that
generations of Americans have been fueled by – by hope and by
optimism," Harris said.
Her answer was robust and policy-focused, and hopefully resonated with
folks who are experiencing anxiety over the economy.
Harris advocated for cease-fire, but pro-Palestinian voters didn't get
much clarity
One of my biggest complaints of the Democratic National Convention was
the lack of a Palestinian voice onstage. Since fighting began in Gaza after
Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been
killed. I was glad to hear Harris acknowledge this suffering, even though
she is standing firm in her commitment to Israel.
"Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed," Harris said. She
emphasized the need for a deal but didn't stray too far from what
President Joe Biden's administration has said.
Gen Z likes Harris.Could the war in Gaza change that?
I know she is constrained by her current role as vice president, but I'd like
to see her go further than the administration's stance on the Israel-Hamas
war. It was particularly disheartening that she said she would continue to
arm Israel if elected president.
Abortion is Democrats’ winningest issue. Harris didn't talk about it.
Abortion has been touted as the biggest issue this election cycle. A Gallup
poll found that 85% of U.S. adults believe that abortion should be legal
under all or certain circumstances.
MAGA's sexism is nothing new:You're not imagining it. Republicans have
been weird about women for years.
It's also one of the issues Harris is strongest on. During her DNC
acceptance speech, she warned of the effect a Trump presidency would
have on reproductive rights.
"Simply put, they are out of their minds," Harris said in Chicago last
Thursday night.
Sadly, the issue didn't get any airtime a week later.
Gaza wasn't the only disappointing moment. Now Harris wants to build
the wall?
CNN’s Dana Bash interviews Democratic presidential running mates
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz at Kim’s Cafe in Savannah, Ga., on Aug. 29,
2024.
Harris has changed her position on a few key issues. The one that I find
most frustrating is her more conservative stance on immigration. She has
taken a new position on expanding a border wall, something that doesn't
secure our border but does villainize Latin American migrants.
"We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and
deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be
consequence," Harris told Bash.
It's an answer I should have expected from a former prosecutor, but I was
hoping to hear more grace for people who are fleeing dangerous
situations.
She's also reversed her stance on fracking to extract oil and gas, which
she once wanted to ban. It's an ironic shift for someone who says she
cares about the impact of climate change.
A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll found that Harris is leading
Trump 48%-43%. She has momentum right now; she needs to keep it
going. I'm not sure shifting toward the middle is a winning strategy for
maintaining that.
No matter what, both she and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim
Walz need to be doing more of these interviews and news conferences. I
hope they do more individually.
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