Kamala Harris to Make First Major Appearance as Democratic Nominee in Pre-Taped Interview
Vice President Kamala Harris will make her highly anticipated debut as the Democratic presidential nominee in a joint interview with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, set to air on CNN this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. This will mark Harris’ first extended sit-down interview since being formally nominated, and it will be the inaugural joint interview with her running mate, Walz, as the 2024 Democratic ticket.
The interview, scheduled to be taped on Thursday afternoon, will be conducted by CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash in Georgia, a key battleground state for the upcoming election. This primetime special comes after weeks of mounting scrutiny regarding Harris’ reluctance to engage with the media, following President Biden’s unexpected exit from the race and Harris’ subsequent rise as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.
CNN’s Alex Marquardt, host of “Situation Room,” introduced the segment, emphasizing the significance of this interview in light of Harris’ extended media silence. Marquardt noted that Harris and Walz will face a barrage of questions on a range of issues that have remained largely unaddressed. CNN Political Director David Chalian underscored that the economy is likely to be a focal point, given its central role in the upcoming election, but also hinted at broader concerns about Harris’ policy positions and recent shifts.
The Democratic ticket has faced intense scrutiny recently, particularly following last week’s Democratic convention. Harris, who has been criticized for avoiding interviews and public appearances, will be pressed to address several pressing issues that have surfaced since her nomination. One major area of concern is her apparent shift on several key policy issues. As a 2019 presidential candidate, Harris was known for her progressive stances on fracking, border security, and private health insurance. However, recent reports suggest that her positions have evolved, and she will need to clarify these changes during the interview.
In addition to policy shifts, Harris is expected to face questions about her role and knowledge concerning President Biden’s mental decline. Despite publicly defending Biden after his underwhelming debate performance, Harris will need to address concerns about what she knew behind the scenes, particularly as speculation about Biden’s cognitive abilities has intensified.
Governor Walz will also be under the spotlight. The Minnesota Governor has faced increasing controversy over his military service record and his left-leaning policies as the leader of his state. The interview will likely probe into these controversies, as well as his recent decisions and their impact on Minnesota’s residents.
