VP Kamala Harris Reaffirms Values Amid Policy Shifts, Open to GOP Cabinet Appointments

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed her evolving policy positions and affirmed her core values in an interview with CNN on Thursday, marking her first joint appearance with Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, CBS News reports.

The duo is currently on a two-day bus tour in Georgia, aiming to attract undecided voters and bolster Democratic turnout in the battleground state ahead of the November elections.

Throughout the interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris faced questions about how her current policy positions differ from those in her 2020 presidential campaign, especially regarding immigration and energy. Notably, she has softened her earlier stance on issues like fracking and the Green New Deal, previously endorsing a ban on fracking and committing to ambitious climate policies.

When pressed about these changes, Harris insisted, “My values have not changed.” She stressed her commitment to addressing the climate crisis, pointing out legislative achievements like the Inflation Reduction Act, which sets ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“I have always believed, and I have worked on it, that the climate crisis is real,” she said.

Regarding border security, Harris has stressed that her stance remains unchanged from her time as California Attorney General, where she prosecuted transnational criminal organizations and illegal cross-border activities.

“My value around what we need to secure our border, that value has not changed,” she asserted.

However, the Vice President faced scrutiny over her claims related to fracking. Bash reminded her of a 2019 town hall where she explicitly stated her support for banning fracking. Harris appeared surprised but maintained that her position had been clear when she concluded her 2020 presidential campaign.

When asked about her first actions as president, Harris articulated her vision for strengthening the middle class but refrained from detailing specific executive orders she would sign.

In a noteworthy remark, Harris also expressed her willingness to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet.

“I think it’s really important,” she said, highlighting her belief in the value of diverse opinions in decision-making. “I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion… It would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”