In a move that has political pundits on the edge of their seats, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to break her weeks-long silence in her first interview as the Democratic presidential nominee.
The highly anticipated event, scheduled to air on CNN at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, marks a critical moment for Harris as she steps into the spotlight in an attempt to defend her record and policies.
The interview, conducted by CNN anchor Dana Bash, will take place in Georgia during Harris’s bus tour of the battleground state.
In an unexpected twist, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, will join her in what the network is billing as a “joint interview.”
Critics have also taken issue with it reportedly being a “pre-taped” interview.
The New York Post reported that this media appearance comes after a nearly six-week period of radio silence from Harris, following president Biden’s sudden withdrawal from the 2024 race on July 21 and his endorsement of Harris as his successor.
The vice president’s absence from the public eye has not gone unnoticed, with both media outlets and Republican opponents calling for her to address the nation.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Post highlighted that Harris’s strategy of avoiding interviews seems to have paid off.
Recent polls show her gaining ground against GOP nominee Donald Trump. However, this “honeymoon” phase of soft coverage is about to end as Harris faces what promises to be a hard-hitting interview.
The choice of Dana Bash as interviewer adds an intriguing layer to the event.
Bash co-moderated the June 27 CNN debate in Atlanta, which many credit as the catalyst for the Democratic shake-up that led to Biden’s withdrawal.
Trump himself has praised Bash for her “fair” conduct during that debate, setting the stage for what could be a balanced and revealing conversation.
Harris’s ability to handle tough questions will be under intense scrutiny.
Her past performances in high-pressure interviews have been mixed, with some responses drawing criticism.
The Post added that a notable example is her 2021 interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, where her explanation for not visiting the US-Mexico border despite being the “border czar” was widely panned.
Immigration is expected to be a hot topic during the interview, as outlined by the outlet.
With illegal border crossings hitting record highs during the Harris-Biden administration, the vice president will likely face pointed questions about her role and plans to address the crisis.
Harris may draw on her experience as a California prosecutor to highlight her approach to targeting criminal groups and her support for a recent, albeit failed, Senate border deal.
Other policy areas that could come under the microscope include Harris’s stance on healthcare, energy and especially the economy.
Her critics, including Trump allies, have labeled her a political “chameleon,” accusing her of shifting positions on key issues such as single-payer healthcare, decriminalizing illegal border crossings and fracking bans.
The vice president may also need to clarify her current economic policies, particularly in light of her recent proposal to combat inflation through grocery price controls – a plan she has since backed away from following widespread criticism.
As the interview approaches, all eyes are on Harris to see how she performs under pressure.
With the first presidential debate scheduled for September 10, this CNN appearance could set the tone for her campaign moving forward.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Harris.
As she steps out of Biden’s shadow and into the role of Democratic standard-bearer, her ability to articulate a clear vision for America and effectively counter Trump’s attacks will be crucial.
Whether she can rise to the occasion and solidify her position as a formidable candidate remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Thursday night’s interview will be must-see TV for anyone following the 2024 presidential race.
Source: Resistthemainstream
