Vice President Kamala Harris responded to criticism of the economy under the Biden administration in a new CNN interview Thursday—but says she has “more to do” if she wins the White House—as the Democratic nominee gave her first interview as a presidential candidate following weeks of pressure for her to speak with the press.
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak on stage during the final day of the Democratic ... [+]
Harris was asked about her economic platform in light of criticism the Biden administration has faced for inflation, including rising grocery and housing prices, with CNN anchor Dana Bash noting there are voters who would like to “go back” to when prices were lower under the Trump administration.
The vice president defended her work with President Joe Biden, saying they had to work to “recover” the economy in the midst of the pandemic and touting achievements during the administration, like falling inflation in recent months.
“There’s more to do, but that’s good work,” Harris said, as she touted aspects of her economic platform that go beyond Biden’s positions, including more aggressive actions on addressing housing affordability and a pledge to go after price gouging.
The vice president said her “day one” priority if elected would be to start implementing her economic agenda—which she’s described as an “opportunity economy”—saying one of her “highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class.”
Harris attacked Trump’s economic record during the CNN interview while touting the Biden administration’s work, though that’s not necessarily an accurate picture of both presidents’ economic records. The Trump administration fared better when it comes to inflation and the stock market, though markets have also been stronger than average under Biden’s presidency. Unemployment also dropped to its lowest level since 1969 under Trump’s presidency, and though employment rose 11% since Biden took office, that’s in part as the economy has recovered following pandemic-era declines. Biden has also struggled with low consumer confidence in the economy during his tenure, as Americans continue to be affected by inflation.
Beyond the economy, Harris committed to passing a bipartisan border bill that former President Donald Trump helped kill, responding to criticism after unlawful border crossings spiked in the early years of Biden’s presidency. Harris has faced backlash on that topic because Biden tasked her with working on the root causes of the migration surge in Central America—a role she touted, saying her work had led to a decrease in unlawful migration from the region. She also said she would not ban fracking if elected—despite prior support for doing so—telling Bash that while she wants to address climate change and strengthen the “green economy,” she has learned “we can grow and we can increase a thriving green energy economy without banning fracking.” The vice president also spoke about the Israel-Hamas war and did not suggest any changes in policy from Biden, telling Bash she is committed to reaching a cease-fire deal. “I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense, and its ability to defend itself, and that is not going to change,” Harris said, adding that "far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed."
The vice president was complimentary of Biden during the CNN interview, describing her phone call with Biden in which he said he was dropping out, in which Harris asked Biden, “Are you sure?” Harris said Biden was clear during their phone call that he would endorse her as his successor. The vice president defended the president’s ability to serve despite concerns about his mental fitness, telling Bash, “He has the intelligence, the commitment and the judgment, and disposition, that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president. By contrast, the former president has none of that.”
Harris went after Trump—whom Bash noted she’s never actually met in person—during the CNN interview, saying Trump was pushing an agenda to “divide our nation.” She did not focus too heavily on the ex-president’s inflammatory comments, however: When asked about Trump’s comments at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, in which he claimed Harris “turned Black,” the vice president responded, “Same old, tired playbook. Next question please.”
Harris’ interview with CNN came as the vice president came under fire from former President Donald Trump and other critics for not sitting down for an interview with the press after becoming the Democratic nominee. The vice president had spoken informally with the press by answering some shouted questions and was interviewed by several social media creators at the Democratic National Convention, but she had not done a sit-down interview with a traditional press outlet, causing the Trump campaign to claim she’s “ducking the media.” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung asked in an August 8 press release how Harris could take on issues like the economy and border if she “can’t face the press.” Responding to the criticism, the Harris campaign announced Tuesday she and vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz would sit down with CNN on Thursday, after Politico reported the campaign was trying to determine which outlet would be best. Though the Democratic ticket’s joint interview follows a long tradition of presidential candidates being interviewed alongside their running mate after conventions, Republicans have continued to criticize Harris for not doing a solo interview, with Scott Jennings, former aide to President George W. Bush, telling CNN, “I think it’s incredibly weak, weak sauce, to show up with your running mate.”