'Values Haven’t Changed’: Harris Defends Policies In 1st Interview, Says US 'Ready To Turn The Page' On Trump
While speaking to CNN, US VP Kamala Harris opened up on several issues including immigration and tensions in the Middle East.
Kamala Harris Interview: United States Vice President and Democratic candidate for the Presidential election Kamala Harris said on Thursday that while dealing with several policy issues, her "values have not changed" and her term as the US VP gave a new perspective pertaining to the most important issues facing the country.
In her first major interview after securing the Democratic Party’s nomination for US President, Harris spoke in detail about her current stance on fracking and immigration. She also said that Americans are ready to turn the page on former President Donald Trump and chart a new path for the country.
The first South Asian US VP criticised Trump and described him as "pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, really dividing our nation."
The US VP also opened up on the issue of tensions in the Middle East. On being questioned about her approach to the issue, she said that the war must end, “We have to get a deal done. This war must end, and we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out,” she stated.
This was Harris’s first major media interview, as she was under pressure from both Republicans—including her rival Donald Trump and his running mate Senator J.D. Vance—and Democrats to answer questions in an interaction with reporters. In the CNN sit-down interview, Harris was sitting with her running mate Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota.
On the question about some changes she made and how the voters should look at them, the US VP said that the most significant aspect of her policy perspective and decisions is that her values have not changed.
Speaking to CNN, Harris said, “I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed.”
“I have always believed and—I've worked on it—that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time,” she further stated.
Harris On Israel-Gaza War
During the interview, Harris also defended the Biden administration on the issue of the Israel-Gaza war. On being asked wheter there will be any difference in her approach, she said, “Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and — and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself. And that’s not gonna change. But let’s take a step back. October 7, 1,200 people are massacred, many young people who are simply attending a musical festival. Women were horribly raped.”
“As I said then, I say today, Israel had a right — has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. And we have got to get a deal done. We — we were in Doha. We have to get a deal done. This war must end…” she added.
And we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out. I’ve met with the families of the American hostages. Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire done.
On change in policy in terms of arms, Harris said, “No. I — we have to get a deal done. Dan — Dana, we have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this to the families, to the people who are living in that region — it — a deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war but will unlock so much of what must happen next.”
“I remain committed since I’ve been on October 8 to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution where Israel is secure and in equal measure the Paletin — the Palestinians have security and self-determination and — and dignity.”
Kamala Harris On Climate Change
While speaking on the issue of climate change, Kamala Harris said that the issue is real and holding on to deadlines is crucial. “You mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed—and I have worked on it—that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time,” the US VP said.
During a CNN climate crisis town hall in 2019, Harris was questioned about her commitment to implementing a federal ban on fracking on her first day in office. “There’s no question I’m in favour of banning fracking and starting with what we can do on Day 1 around public lands,” she said back then.
During the interview, she also highlighted that her party has set goals for the United States and there is a need to meet some standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “We did that with the Inflation Reduction Act. We have set goals for the United States of America and, by extension, the globe around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as an example,” she highlighted.
Harris On Immigration
While speaking on the issue of immigration, she asserted that she mentioned her record as California attorney general. Giving indications about her values on immigration, she said that she prosecuted gangs accused of cross-border trafficking.
On the question of dealing with the root causes of migration and implementation of asylum restrictions, Harris said, “Well, first of all, the root causes work that I did as vice president, that I was asked to do by the president has actually resulted in a number of benefits, including historic investments by American businesses in that region”.
“The number of immigrants coming from that region has actually reduced since we’ve began that work. But I will say this that Joe Biden and I and our administration worked with members of the United States Congress on an immigration issue that is very significant to the American people and to our security, which is the border. And through bipartisan work, including some of the most conservative members of the United States Congress, a bill was crafted which we supported, which I support,” she further stated.
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