During CNN interview excerpts, Harris insists her values have ‘not changed’ despite policy adjustments
Vice President Kamala Harris, in her first prominent interview since being named the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, stated on Thursday that while some of her policy positions have evolved—particularly on energy and immigration—her “values have not changed.”
During a CNN interview with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, on their bus tour in Georgia, Harris emphasized, “The core aspect of my policy perspective and decisions remains unchanged; my values remain the same.”
Following her nomination after President Joe Biden stepped back from the 2024 election, Harris has had to clarify her platform, which has involved altering some previous positions, including her views on hydraulic fracking, a method used for oil and gas drilling.
In 2019, when she initially campaigned for the presidency, Harris supported a ban on fracking and even co-sponsored the Green New Deal while serving as a senator from California. However, her campaign for the 2024 election has indicated she no longer favors banning the practice, acknowledging its role in enhancing domestic energy production in states like Texas and Pennsylvania.
During the CNN conversation, Harris highlighted her commitment to the Green New Deal, affirming her belief in the seriousness of the climate crisis.
<p“Regarding the Green New Deal, I have always believed, and have worked towards it, because the climate crisis is real and urgent. We should set firm deadlines to address it,” Harris told CNN’s Dana Bash.
On immigration matters, Harris also maintained that her perspective remains unchanged. Throughout the 2024 campaign, she has advocated for a bipartisan immigration bill that failed, which aimed to increase detention capacity and expand the number of visas available each year for green card eligibility over five years, while also making asylum qualifications more difficult.
Harris stated, “My commitment to securing our borders has not wavered. I spent two terms as California’s attorney general dealing with transnational criminal organizations and upholding U.S. laws related to illegal trafficking of firearms and drugs across our borders.”
Harris, in her proposal to be a president for all Americans—similar to Biden’s assertion—mentioned that it’s crucial to include a Republican in her Cabinet if elected.
“Throughout my career, I have embraced diverse opinions. It’s essential to have individuals with varied perspectives and experiences during key decision-making processes. Including a Republican in my Cabinet would benefit the American people,” Harris remarked.