Kamala Harris, the interview that promises to turn the page on the last decade
Kamala Harris pledges to 'turn the page on the last decade' and overcome the era of divisiveness and polarisation that has characterised America. In her first interview with CNN, Harris sought to project an image of consistent and confident leadership, promising to work for the middle and working class and to be President of all. He also addressed issues such as climate, immigration and the war in Gaza. Trump reacted by calling the interview 'boring' and Harris 'not sounding like a leader'
3' min read
3' min read
Kamala Harris pledges to 'turn the page on the last decade', to overcome if elected to the White House the era of tearing and polarisation that has characterised America and its politics. An era exacerbated by the arrival on the scene of Republican rival Donald Trump.
In her first extensive television interview, granted to CNN, the Democratic presidential candidate for the White House, fresh from the party's convention investiture last week, tried to project an image of consistent and confident leadership. Even as her policy positions have changed over time, from energy to immigration, often in a more moderate direction. "My values have not changed," he asserted. The interview was particularly eagerly awaited, after attacks from Republican rivals who had accused her of having avoided face-to-face with the media so far, a choice apostrophised as a sign of weakness.
"I believe people are ready for a new way, forward, as generations of Americans driven by hope and optimism have done," Harris said flanked by her vice presidential pick Tim Walz and echoing her campaign slogan calling for the country to "not go backwards", i.e. to what she calls Trump's years of chaos and authoritarianism. He promised to work on behalf of the vast middle and working class, with tax credits, housing aid, fighting the caravan and speculation. And to be everyone's president, even appointing a Republican in his cabinet (without naming who).
Harris has now moved into a slight lead over Trump in the polls, including the Wall Street Journal's most recent which sees her ahead by one or two points nationally, the first time for a Democratic candidate since April 2023. Trump, chasing redemption, immediately reacted to the interview on social media by calling it 'boring' and asserting that Harris 'doesn't sound like a leader'.
Among Harris' most significant responses to CNN anchor Dana Bash was on climate and fracking, the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and gas. Harris indicated that he no longer supported a ban on fracking, nor the so-called Green New Deal, the more ambitious progressive projects against the greenhouse effect, as he had done during the Democratic primaries. "The climate crisis is real. It is urgent. And we have to implement measures that include meeting deadlines that we have to give ourselves'. She went on to say, however, that she is convinced that it is possible to have clean energy and growth without banning fracking (which is crucial for the economy of a presidential polling state like Pennsylvania).
