United States Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her deep emotional connection to a recent moment during the Democratic National Convention, where a photograph captured her young grandniece watching her address the convention. Harris, who is running to be president for "all Americans," said she was "deeply touched" by the image, which highlights the historic nature of her candidacy.
"It’s very humbling. Very humbling in many ways," she remarked during a joint interview with CNN alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, at Kim’s Cafe in Savannah, Georgia.
The US Vice President refused to engage with former President Donald Trump's recent remarks questioning her racial and gender identity, dismissing his 'she turned black' claims as part of his "same old tired playbook." She firmly declined to elaborate, saying only, "Next question, please."
US President Election 2024: When A Phone Call From Joe Biden Changed Kamala Harris' Political Trajectory
Harris recounted a pivotal moment when US President Joe Biden informed her of his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
According to her CNN interview, on a bustling Sunday morning at the US Vice President’s residence, Kamala Harris was preparing breakfast for visiting family members. Just as she settled down to work on a puzzle with her nieces when a phone call interrupted her routine. It was Joe Biden on the line, delivering the unexpected news that he had decided to end his re-election bid and endorse her as his successor for the Democratic presidential ticket.
This momentous call not only reshaped the 2024 presidential race but also marked a significant turning point in Harris’ career. Reflecting on the moment, Harris shared that her immediate concern was not for herself, but for Biden, who had been under immense pressure to step down following a lacklustre performance in the first CNN presidential debate, which had led to widespread doubts about his health.
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"My first thought was not about me, to be honest with you. My first thought was about him," she said.
“I asked him, ‘Are you sure?’ and he said ‘Yes,’” Harris recalled, expressing her initial thoughts. She believes that history will view Biden’s presidency as “transformative” and see his decision to withdraw from the race as a testament to his selfless character, always prioritising the American people.
In the interview, Harris reflected on the evolution of her political positions since her initial bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019. She addressed her previous stance on fracking, a critical issue in states like Pennsylvania. "As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking," she stated, noting that her values remain unchanged. Harris highlighted the Biden administration’s efforts to balance clean energy growth with the continuation of fracking under the Inflation Reduction Act, which she helped pass. "We can grow and increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking," she said.
Harris also discussed the importance of bipartisan cooperation, expressing openness to appointing a Republican to her Cabinet if elected president. Although she did not specify names, she emphasised the value of diverse opinions in decision-making. "I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican," Harris noted.
Kamala Harris Blames Donald Trump For 'Killing' Border Security Bill
On border security, Harris blamed Trump for the current challenges, citing his opposition to a bipartisan border security bill that would have added 1,500 more agents. "Because he believed that it would not have helped him politically, he killed the bill," she said, vowing to push the bill forward if elected.
Kamala Harris' Running Mate On Claim About Military Service, Comments On Fertility Treatment
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, also addressed past misstatements, including a claim about his military service and his comments on fertility treatment. "I certainly own my mistakes when I make them," Walz said, reaffirming his commitment to speaking passionately about issues such as gun violence and reproductive rights.
“I won’t apologize for speaking passionately, whether it’s guns in schools or protection of reproductive rights,” he said.
"I spoke about our infertility issues because it's hell, and families know this. That's quite a contrast to folks who are trying to take those rights away from us. I think most Americans get it. The contrast could not be clearer between what we're running against," he remarked.
As the 2024 race intensifies, Harris framed the election as an opportunity to move away from the divisive politics of the Trump era. She argued that true leadership is measured by who one lifts up, not who one beats down. "That’s what’s at stake, as much as any other detail that we could discuss, in this election," she concluded.
The interview, which marked Harris' first in-depth conversation with a journalist since Biden ended his presidential bid in July, sets the stage for her upcoming debate with Trump on September 10, where these themes are expected to be central.