Kamala Harris Discusses Policy Changes in First Interview as Democratic Presidential Nominee

In her first interview since becoming the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris was questioned about her policy shifts. The interview, conducted by CNN's Dana Bash, took place alongside her running mate, Tim Walz, and was highly anticipated due to growing pressure for Harris to address the public more openly and clarify how her vision differs from President Joe Biden's. In the 39 days since Biden announced he would not seek re-election and endorsed Harris, she has largely refrained from doing so.

"The most crucial and significant aspect of my policy perspective," Harris stated when asked about her policy changes, "is that my values have remained consistent." However, she acknowledged that her time as vice president has led to adjustments in her views on some issues.

"I believe it is essential to build consensus and find common ground where we can effectively solve problems," Harris added, hinting at how political realities may have shaped her perspectives.

Harris initially ran for president in 2019 on a progressive platform that included "Medicare for All," a Green New Deal, and a ban on fracking, a method of extracting natural gas or oil. That campaign ended unsuccessfully, and when Biden selected Harris as his running mate, she naturally adopted his agenda.

Now, as Harris leads the ticket, the policy landscape has shifted, raising questions about where her current positions differ from her 2019 campaign and those of Biden, some of which conflict.

Harris had not participated in any interviews or press conferences since Biden stepped aside and endorsed her, meaning the public's view of her has been largely shaped by campaign-controlled events like rallies, web videos, and the recent Democratic National Convention.

In contrast, most modern presidential candidates would have participated in numerous solo interviews throughout the primary season and into the general election campaign, long before sitting down with their running mate for a joint interview late in the summer.

Harris has had no such luxury, given the timing of her elevation to the top of the ticket. She has had to adjust her policy positions and build a campaign team quickly during the intense period of a presidential general election.

Harris is also attempting to shift toward the ideological center, a common move for presidential candidates as they approach the November election season.

For example, Harris told Bash that she no longer supports a fracking ban because her experience as vice president has shown her that the U.S. can meet its climate goals without banning the practice, which is a significant industry in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

"We can achieve this without banning fracking," Harris said. "In fact, Dana, I cast the tie-breaking vote as vice president that actually increased leases for fracking. So, I'm very clear about where I stand."

Nonetheless, Harris appeared defensive at times when pressed to acknowledge her changed positions or when asked to explain the evidence that influenced her shifts.

When asked whether she still supported decriminalizing illegal border crossings, as she did in 2019, Harris did not answer directly. Instead, she said that "there should be consequences" for unauthorized crossings and highlighted her experience prosecuting transnational gangs as "a border state attorney general" in California.

Harris also expressed an interest in appointing a Republican to her Cabinet.

"I've spent my career inviting diverse opinions. I think it's important to have people at the table with different views and experiences when making some of the most important decisions," Harris said. "And I believe it would benefit the American public to have a Republican in my Cabinet."

Walz remained mostly silent during the interview, except when asked about his own controversies, such as past moments when he seemed to exaggerate parts of his 24 years in the Army National Guard.

In a 2018 speech after a school shooting, Walz, the governor of Minnesota, referred to the weapon used as similar to the one he carried "in war," even though he had never seen combat.

Walz explained that his wife, Gwen, an English teacher, often tells him that "my grammar isn't always correct," but he largely dismissed the controversy as a Republican distraction.

"If it's not this, it's an attack on my children for showing love for me, or it's an attack on my dog — I'm not going to engage with that. The one thing I'll never do is demean another person's service in any way. I never have, and I never will. I've been very open about my record. My former students and colleagues vouch for me, and I certainly own up to my mistakes when I make them."