Vice President Kamala Harris faced significant criticism following her first interview since becoming the Democratic nominee, conducted by CNN's Dana Bash.
According to Daily Mail, the hour-long broadcast, which took place in Savannah, Georgia, was described by some as a "train wreck" and filled with "word salad" responses.
The interview aired on Thursday night and was Harris's first major media appearance since Joe Biden dropped out of the race 40 days ago. While some liberal commentators claimed Harris succeeded by following the "do no harm" principle, critics argued that she failed to adequately address key issues such as the border crisis, inflation, and Biden's health concerns.
David Axelrod, a former Obama strategist, offered a critical evaluation of Harris's performance during CNN's post-interview analysis. He stated that Harris hadn't made significant progress in advancing her campaign's message. Axelrod noted that Harris found herself in a challenging position. She attempted to take credit for the administration's positive aspects while distancing herself from less favorable elements.
The New York Times political reporter Astead Herndon echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that the Harris campaign had not established a clear policy separation from the Biden administration.
Harris's responses on economic issues and immigration policy were particularly scrutinized. When addressing the economy, she attempted to blame former President Donald Trump for "price gouging" on groceries, a claim that economic experts have disputed.
On the topic of immigration, Harris asserted that her work on addressing "root causes" had led to a reduction in illegal migration. However, critics pointed out that her tenure as Biden's "border czar" has coincided with record-breaking levels of illegal immigration, causing strain on cities across the United States.
Scott Jennings, a former Bush advisor, commented on CNN:
She had no additional thoughts on the economic situation in the country or what they've done, besides the idea that me and Joe Biden have done a great job.
Perhaps the most contentious moment of the interview came when Harris defended Joe Biden's fitness for office. This defense comes in the wake of Biden's withdrawal from the race, reportedly due to concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. Harris stated:
I have spent hours upon hours with [Biden] - being in the Oval Office or the Situation Room - he has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president.
Jennings criticized this response, suggesting that most Americans would view it as dishonest given the circumstances of Biden's departure from the race.
The interview has raised questions about Harris's preparedness for the upcoming presidential debate scheduled for September 10 on ABC. This will be her first face-to-face encounter with Donald Trump in a debate setting.
GOP polling expert Frank Luntz expressed skepticism about Harris's performance, tweeting that a skilled debater would find it easy to challenge her responses. This sentiment was echoed by several political analysts who suggested that Trump might capitalize on perceived weaknesses in Harris's interview performance.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris's recent CNN interview has sparked debate about her readiness for the presidential race. Critics argue that her responses on key issues like the economy and immigration were inadequate, while supporters maintain she succeeded in avoiding major gaffes. The upcoming debate with Donald Trump will likely be a crucial test of Harris's ability to defend her positions and articulate her vision for the country under more challenging circumstances.
