WASHINGTON — This isn’t exactly a tricky question. The campaign for Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris should be well-prepared for it.

However, Harris has found it challenging to respond to a straightforward inquiry that keeps coming up: How would you govern differently from President Joe Biden?

During her appearances on The View and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, the vice president refrained from significantly separating herself from the current president – her superior – despite being asked various versions of that question.

Her hesitation to clearly distinguish her policies or actions from Biden’s – instead endorsing loyalty to her boss – signifies her attempt to navigate a tightrope: campaigning as a candidate for change while holding the position of vice president.

“I can’t think of anything,” Harris responded on The View when asked by host Sunny Hostin if she would have approached anything differently than Biden in the last four years. “I’ve been involved in most of the decisions that have had an impact.”

A moment earlier, Hostin had pressed Harris to highlight the “biggest specific difference” between a Harris and Biden presidency. Harris did not take the bait.

“Well, we’re distinct individuals with lots of shared experiences,” Harris replied. “For instance, we both have strong feelings about family and our parents. We’re also different and I will incorporate those perspectives into my leadership.”

The Trump campaign has aimed to connect Harris with Biden’s unpopularity, as the 81-year-old president withdrew from the race in July due to age concerns, and his approval ratings linger in the low 40s across many polls.

While Harris promotes themes of moving forward and avoiding a return to the Trump era, the Trump campaign has been quick to remind the public that concerns about the economy and immigration occurred while she was directly working with Biden.

After Harris’ comments on The View, the Trump campaign wasted no time posting the footage on X, formerly known as Twitter, turning it into a new advertisement. “I’m Donald J. Trump, and I approve this message,” Trump declares at the conclusion of their video.

Democratic strategist Karen Finney commented that she didn’t expect Harris to openly criticize her boss on national television. Still, she believed Harris had a chance to differentiate herself by discussing the significant policy she brought up at The View: a proposed Medicare expansion that would include in-home care for seniors.

“Ironically, she came on the show to discuss a policy that sets her apart from what President Biden has proposed,” Finney noted during a CNN appearance on Tuesday. “I wish she had mentioned that.”

In her ongoing campaign for the presidency, Harris has been careful not to deviate from Biden’s stance on issues such as Israel’s conflict in Gaza, the administration’s economic plans, or other crucial priorities. The most significant divergence in her policies came in early September when she supported a modest increase in the capital-gains tax rate, a change less expansive than what Biden proposed in his budget earlier this year.

Despite many Americans feeling that the country is on the wrong track, both Trump and Harris are positioning themselves as candidates for change. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that slightly more voters (46%-44%) perceive Harris as the change candidate, suggesting her messaging has resonated, despite her minimal policy differences from Biden.

Harris’ argument for change is further supported by her background. If elected, she would be the first female president and the first Black and Asian woman to secure a major party’s presidential nomination. At 59 years old, she’s also comparatively younger than both Biden and 78-year-old Trump.

Later in her interview on The View, Harris did mention one distinct difference from Biden: she intends to include a Republican in her Cabinet.

“When you asked about the main difference between Joe Biden and me, one significant difference is that I will include a Republican in my Cabinet,” Harris mentioned, reiterating a pledge she made during her campaign. “I don’t let pride stop me from embracing good ideas.”

“Well, obviously, I am not Joe Biden,” she replied. “So that’s a change right there. But it’s also crucial to point out that, with just 28 days left, I am not Donald Trump either.”

Harris then moved away from the initial question.

“I have great love for the American people and a strong belief in our country. I admire our character and ambition,” Harris said. “I believe we can continue to build on our past successes.”

(This news story has been updated with a revised headline.)