In her inaugural interview for the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed key voter concerns during a lengthy discussion with CNN’s Dana Bash. The conversation, broadcast on Thursday night, delved into critical topics such as inflation, immigration, and foreign policy while her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, shared insights about his personal and military background.
With the election looming in under 10 weeks, Harris, facing criticism for a vague policy agenda, has seen a shift in national polls, narrowing the gap with former President Donald Trump. Polls reveal that while Trump garners trust on economic matters from 50% of voters, Harris follows with 43%. Her standing falters further on immigration issues, where 53% endorse Trump’s policies, compared to her 39%.
Despite these challenges, Harris shines on topics like abortion and reproductive health, where she exceeds Trump in trust. Recent surveys indicate she leads on issues like Social Security, Medicare, housing, and climate change. Below is a summary of Harris and Walz’s highlights from their conversation with Bash.
Harris Promises Economic Change on Day One
Harris emphasized her commitment to an “opportunity economy,” aiming to reduce everyday costs right from her first day. Her proposals include increasing the child tax credit to $6,000 for families in the first year of a child’s life, which she believes will help ease financial burdens.
In her campaign, she’s also suggested a federal ban on price gouging to tackle inflation, a move that has sparked debate among experts and was criticized by Trump as “socialist.”
Walz echoed Harris’s enthusiasm, highlighting similar agenda values and noting Minnesota’s significant child tax credit policy.
Acknowledging Job Growth Under Biden
During the interview, Harris highlighted the Biden administration’s achievements in job creation post-pandemic. She pointed out that over 15 million jobs have been created since Biden took office, contrasting this with the 2.7 million jobs lost during Trump’s tenure.
She also mentioned plans to assist first-time home buyers with a potential $25,000 tax credit for down payments, enabling access to the American dream of home ownership.
Addressing Immigration Challenges
When questioned about her role in addressing migration issues, Harris defended her efforts to tackle root causes in Central America, citing investments by American businesses. Despite the challenges, she reiterated the administration’s bipartisan efforts on immigration reform that were undermined by Republicans.
Walz Discusses Reproductive Care
Walz shared personal insights on reproductive care, revealing his family’s journey with infertility. He emphasized the importance of these rights amid broader discussions on abortion access, stating that people’s focuses should be on securing such rights rather than technicalities of treatments.
Lowering Healthcare Costs for Seniors
Reflecting on “Bideneconomics,” Harris expressed pride in initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare costs, like capping insulin prices for seniors. She contrasted this with Trump’s unfulfilled promises to negotiate drug prices through Medicare.
Clarifying Stance on Fracking
In the face of scrutiny regarding her past remarks on fracking, Harris clarified her current position, emphasizing support for a clean energy economy without outright banning fracking, and highlighting investments aimed at fostering green jobs.
Support for Israel Amidst Conflict
Facing pressure from progressives, Harris reaffirmed her commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions amid ongoing violence in Gaza. She addressed the humanitarian toll while calling for a resolution to secure hostages and end the conflict.