Vice President Kamala Harris faced online ridicule on Thursday. This came after she told CNN that despite changing her policies, her “values have not changed.”
In her first interview as a presidential candidate, Harris sat beside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. She was asked about her many policy shifts.
“How should voters view your changes?” CNN host Dana Bash questioned. “Is it due to more experience or because you were in a Democratic primary? Can voters trust your current policies moving forward?”
Harris responded, “The most important thing is my values have not changed. You mentioned the Green New Deal. I’ve always believed in the urgency of the climate crisis. We set metrics and deadlines with the Inflation Reduction Act.”
She continued, “We’ve set goals for the U.S. and the world on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That value hasn’t changed. My stance on securing the border hasn’t changed. I served two terms as California’s Attorney General, prosecuting transnational crime, illegal gun and drug trafficking, and human smuggling. My values remain the same.”
However, many online commentators argued that Harris’ claim of unchanged values suggests she remains as radical as in 2019, even as she tries to appear moderate to win the election.
Other commentators zeroed in on the interview itself. They argued it showcased a classic example of a news personality feeding leading questions to a candidate.
“Incredible to watch Bash toss a complete softball question,” said Power the Future spokesman Larry Behrens. “Then, she gives Harris multiple options on how to respond.”
He added, “It’s the pathetic setup we all knew it would be.”
One striking example of Harris’ policy reversals is a recent campaign ad. It showcased the Trump-era border wall, the very wall she once condemned as “un-American.”
Fracking is another key example. Last month, Harris’ campaign announced she doesn’t support banning the oil extraction technique, which is popular in swing states like Pennsylvania. This stance directly contrasts with her 2019 primary campaign, where she clearly stated during a CNN town hall, “There is no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.”
Harris has also pulled back from supporting “Medicare for All” and semiautomatic rifle buyback programs. These were both initiatives she strongly advocated during her 2020 primary campaign.