Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has accused the media of engaging in a "blizzard of lies" by downplaying Vice President Kamala Harris' past support for a fracking ban. DeSantis' criticism stems from Politico altering a headline that described Harris' previous position on fracking as a "Trump accusation," despite her numerous public expressions of support for a ban during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vehemently denounced the media's portrayal of Vice President Kamala Harris' stance on fracking, labeling it a "blizzard of lies." DeSantis' criticism centers on Politico's decision to alter a headline that labeled Harris' support for a fracking ban as a "Trump accusation," despite her public expressions of support for a ban on numerous occasions during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
Ron DeSantis Decries 'Blizzard of Lies' as Media Softens Kamala Harris' Fracking Stance
Politico's original headline read, "Harris campaign pledges she won't ban fracking after Trump accusation," implying that Harris' opposition to fracking was solely based on Trump's attacks. However, Harris has consistently voiced support for a ban, with Politico itself acknowledging her prior statements in the article.
DeSantis took to Twitter to express his outrage, accusing the media of "whitewashing" Harris' record and engaging in a "coordinated effort to distract from her radical agenda." He emphasized that Harris had repeatedly advocated for a fracking ban and accused the media of downplaying her "extreme" views.
Ron DeSantis Decries 'Blizzard of Lies' as Media Softens Kamala Harris' Fracking Stance
In addition to Politico's headline change, DeSantis also criticized CNN for describing Trump's remarks on Harris' fracking stance as "allegations," despite the well-documented record of her support for a ban. CNN's framing was widely criticized on social media, with many pointing out that Harris had explicitly stated her position on multiple occasions.
DeSantis' criticism comes amid growing scrutiny of Harris' energy policies. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Harris expressed support for the Green New Deal, which would have effectively banned fracking. She also pledged to "get rid of fracking once and for all" during an appearance on "The Tonight Show."
Ron DeSantis Decries 'Blizzard of Lies' as Media Softens Kamala Harris' Fracking Stance
However, since taking office, Harris has moderated her stance on fracking. Her current position is that she does not favor a blanket ban but would support restrictions on fracking in certain areas. This shift has drawn criticism from environmental activists, who argue that it undermines the Biden administration's climate goals.
DeSantis' attack on the media is part of a broader Republican strategy to depict Democrats as extreme and out of touch with American values. Republicans have repeatedly accused the Biden administration of pursuing a "radical" agenda that would harm the economy and infringe on individual freedoms.
The debate over Harris' fracking stance highlights the ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party on energy issues. While many progressives advocate for a transition away from fossil fuels, moderate Democrats are more cautious about the economic consequences of such a transition. The Biden administration has sought to strike a balance between these competing priorities, but it remains to be seen whether it can maintain this delicate equilibrium.
