Vice President Kamala Harris conducted her first interview of the presidential campaign on Thursday after a month of avoiding media engagements. The interview, carried out by CNN’s Dana Bash in a Savannah, Georgia restaurant, focused on several key topics, including Harris’ policy shifts, the significance of her candidacy, her first-day plans as president, and her potential openness to including a Republican in her Cabinet, to which she responded affirmatively.
Notably absent from the discussion was any inquiry about why Harris delayed her first media interview or whether she plans to participate in more as the campaign progresses. Her reluctance to engage with journalists has drawn criticism, particularly from Republican opponent Donald Trump, who highlighted her lack of media visibility as an issue. Harris had previously indicated she would increase her press engagement by the end of August, making this interview right before the deadline.
During the interview, Bash pressed Harris on her change of stance regarding fracking, a contentious method for extracting natural gas. Harris was asked multiple times about her shift in position since her brief presidential run in 2020, prompting questions about voter confidence in her evolving policies. Additionally, Bash inquired about whether Harris would consider withholding military aid to Israel to facilitate peace efforts in the Middle East. While Harris emphasized the importance of a peace agreement, she did not provide specific strategies to achieve it.
When confronted with Trump’s comments on Harris emphasizing her Black heritage more recently, she quickly dismissed the question, signaling a reluctance to engage on that front.
CNN political analyst David Axelrod remarked that Harris had raised expectations by delaying her interviews but noted that she performed adequately in this first one, fulfilling the need to be consistent with her previous public personas. He suggested that the interview might ultimately have little impact on her campaign trajectory.
In a notable addition to the interview, Harris was joined by her running mate Tim Walz, who was asked about personal experiences related to the campaign. His inclusion was seen as a departure from Harris’ typically solo appearances and drew criticism from Republicans who felt it allowed her to deflect difficult questions.
Overall, the interview marked a significant moment for Harris as she navigates the media landscape of her presidential bid, but it remains to be seen how it will shape her campaign moving forward.