Vice President Kamala Harris' first interview since becoming the Democratic nominee was a disaster, as she deflected questions and made false statements.
Vice President Kamala Harris' highly anticipated first interview as the Democratic nominee was a major disappointment, as she struggled to answer basic questions, dodged others, and made a number of false statements.
Anchor Dana Bash of CNN did a fine job of pressing Harris on her drastic change in positions since her presidential campaign imploded last time. However, Harris repeatedly dodged or deflected Bash's questions, often changing the subject or resorting to stump-speech talking points.
Kamala Harris Fumbles Interview, Dodge and Weaves on Policies
One of the most glaring examples of Harris' evasiveness came when Bash asked her about her previous opposition to fracking. Harris had repeatedly stated during her presidential campaign that she would ban fracking, but she now claims that she "made that clear on the debate stage in 2020" that she supports fracking. This is simply not true, and Bash to her credit wound up asking about fracking four times. However, Harris refused to acknowledge her change in position, instead claiming that her "values have not changed."
Harris also dodged questions about her support for decriminalizing the border, her claim that President Biden is sharp and fit for another four years, and her grandniece's viral photo of her watching Harris on TV.
Kamala Harris Fumbles Interview, Dodge and Weaves on Policies
In addition to her evasiveness, Harris also made a number of false statements during the interview. For example, she claimed that the number of illegal crossings at the border has gone down since President Biden took office, when in fact it has surged to record levels. She also claimed that she handled border-related cases as a prosecutor, when in fact she has no experience with immigration law.
Overall, Harris' interview was a disaster. She failed to answer basic questions, dodged others, and made a number of false statements. It is clear that Harris is not ready for prime time and that her handlers should have allowed her to talk to journalists sooner to build up her experience and confidence.
Kamala Harris Fumbles Interview, Dodge and Weaves on Policies
In the meantime, Harris' weak performance has only served to fuel speculation that she is not qualified to be president and that Biden may have to replace her on the ticket before the 2024 election.
