Harris, in first interview, addresses policy shifts, border and Trump's attacks
In their first in-depth interview since accepting the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz sat down with CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Dana Bash Thursday evening and answered a range of questions.
Pressed on border, economy and fracking: 'My values have not changed'
Bash asked Harris about the first time she ran for president, during a 2019 debate when she raised her hand "when asked whether or not the border should be decriminalized. Do you still believe that?"
"I believe there should be consequences; we have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally. And there should be consequences," Harris responded.
"How should voters look at some of the changes that you've made? Is it because you have more experience now and you've learned more about the information? Is it because you were running for president in a Democratic primary? And should they feel comfortable and confident that what you're saying now is going to be your policy moving forward?" Bash asked.
"Dana, I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed," Harris answered. "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.
"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," Harris continued.
"That value has not changed. My value around what we need to do to secure our border: that value has not changed. I spent two terms as the attorney general of California prosecuting transnational criminal organizations' violations of American laws regarding the passage, illegal passage, of guns, drugs, and human beings across our border. My values have not changed," she said.
Harris says she is open to naming Republican to Cabinet
Harris told Bash she would name a Republican to her Cabinet, however, she said she did not have a particular person in mind.
"I've got 68 days to go with this election, so I'm not putting the cart before the horse," she said. "I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think it's important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican."
'Next question, please,' Harris brushes off Trump's race comments
Harris was asked to respond to former President Donald Trump's comments at the National Association of Black Journalists convention where he appeared to question Harris' race.
"I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now, she wants to be known as Black. So, I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" Trump said at the time.
When asked about the comments by Bash, Harris responded, "Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please."
No regrets about defending Biden
Bash asked Harris if she had any regrets about telling the American people she felt Biden was fit to serve for four more years.
"No, not at all, not at all," Harris said.
"I have served with President Biden for almost four years now and I'll tell you it's one of the greatest honors of my career, truly. He cares so deeply about the American people. He is so smart and loyal to the American people."
When pressed on policy for Israel: 'We have to get a deal done'
Bash asked Harris if she was going to initiate a change in policy with Israel, "in terms of arms and so forth."
"No," Harris answered, "We have to get a deal done."
"This war must end in the meantime, 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 cease-fire done," Harris continued.
Walz addresses controversies
Walz was quiet most of the interview, but Bash did ask him about past remarks and times he misspoke, noting that the country was just starting to get to know him and asking if voters would be able to take him at his word.
"You said that you carried weapons in war, but you have never deployed actually in a war zone, a campaign official said that you misspoke, did do you?" Bash asked.
Walz acknowledged he misspoke, explaining he made the remark after "a school shooting, with the ideas of carrying these weapons of war."
"I certainly own my mistakes when I make them," Walz said.
