From 'Green Economy to Israel': What Harris Said in Her 1st Interview as Democratic Prez Candidate

Harris Interview LIVE: In her debut interview as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasised that her "values have not changed," despite evolving stances on issues such as fracking and the decriminalisation of illegal border crossings. Speaking candidly with CNN, Harris also recounted her reaction upon learning about President Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race. In the conversation, Harris reiterated her unwavering support for Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas and urged for a plan to get the hostages back. Looking ahead, she shared her plans for her first day in office, promising a decisive and impactful start if elected President.

Scroll below to check the highlights of the interview:

• Here's What Harris Said About What She Would Do on Day 1 in White House:

If elected, Harris pledges to begin implementing her "opportunity economy" plans immediately upon taking office if elected.

"I think sadly in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has really been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, really dividing our nation. And I think people are ready to turn the page on that."

• Harris Maintains her 'Bidenomics' is a Success Stand

Speaking on the economic changes implemented under the Biden Administration, Harris said, "I maintain that when we do the work of bringing down prescription medication for the American people, including capping the cost, the annual cost, of prescription medication for seniors at $2,000, when we do what we did in the first year of being in office to extend the child tax credit so that we cut child poverty in America by over 50%; when we do what we have done to invest in the American people and bringing manufacturing back to the United States so that we created over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs, bringing business back to America; what we have done to improve the supply chain so we’re not relying on foreign governments to supply American families with their basic needs. I’ll say that that’s good work. There’s more to do, but that’s good work."

• Does Harris Still Want to Ban Fracking?

"No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking. … In 2020 I made very clear where I stand. We are in 2024, and I have not changed that position, nor will I going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word," she said.

• 'I Recognise the Problem': Harris on If She Thinks Illegal Border Crossings Should be Decriminalised

“I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally. And there should be consequence. And let’s be clear, in this race, I’m the only person who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs and human beings. I’m the only person in this race who actually served a border state as attorney general to enforce our laws. And I would enforce our laws as president going forward. I recognize the problem.”

• 'I’m Grateful I Got to Experience It': Walz Feels Pride for His Son

When Bash asked about the video of Walz's son tearful during the DNC event, the VP pick said, “I’m grateful for so many reasons to be on this ticket. But that moment – to understand what was really important, to have my son feel a sense of pride in me, that I was trying to do the right thing. And it was – you know, you try and protect your kids. You know it brings – it brings notoriety in things. But it was just such a visceral, emotional moment that I’m – I’m just – I’m grateful I got to experience it. And I’m – I’m so proud of him.”

• Harris Talks About the Biden Administration

“I’m talking about an era that started about a decade ago where there is some suggestion, warped I believe it to be, that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of where I believe most Americans are, which is to believe that the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up. That’s what’s at stake as much as any other detail that we could discuss in this election.”

When asked if she regrets insisting that Bidenh is fir to serve for another four years, Harris said, "Not at all. I have served with President Biden for almost four years now. And I’ll tell ya, it’s one of the greatest honors of my career, truly. He cares so deeply about the American people. He is so smart and loyal to the American people. And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment and the judgment – disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president.

• ‘And That’s How I Learned it': Harris on Biden's Exit From Presidential Race

Describing her call with US President Joe Biden when he told her about him exiting the election bid, Harris said that she was sitting with her nieces after eating breakfast.

"And the phone rang and it was Joe Biden and he told me what he had decided to do and I asked him, 'Are you sure?' And he said 'yes' and that’s how I learned about it."

She added that Biden was very clear that he was going to support her. however, hearing this news, her first thought was about him and not herself.

Praising Biden whose presidency will end this year said, "I think history is going to show a number of things about Joe Biden’s presidency. I think history is going to show that in so many ways it was transformative."

• 'If Not This, It an Attack on My...': Walz Pushes Back Republican Attacks

Speaking further during the interview on Republicans targeting him, he said, "If it’s not this, it’s an attack on my children for showing love for me or it’s an attack on my dog."

• 'My Record Speaks for itself': Tim Walz on his Military Records

When asked if he misspoke about his military records in the past, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said that his "record speaks for itself." this comes after the clarifications his campaign has made regarding his time serving in the Army National Guard.

"My record has been out there for over 40 years," Walz asserted. 

• 'Unwavering Commitment to Israel's Defence Will not Change': Harris Vows Support to Tel Aviv

Speaking on the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Harris asserted support for Israel saying that her unequivocal and — and unwavering commitment to Israel's defence" will not change. She further emphasised on getting a deal to get the hostages out.

In the exclusive interview with US-based CNN, Harris said, “Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself. And that’s not gonna change. But let’s take a step back. October 7, 1,200 people are massacred, many young people who are simply attending a musical festival. Women were horribly raped. As I said then, I say today, Israel had a right – has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. And we have got to get a deal done.”

The vice president also said, "we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out."

Raising her serious concerns over the humanitarian situation and destruction in Gaza, Harris called it "catastrophic" and "devastating."

• Harris says She Will Name a Republican in her Cabinet if Elected

"I've got 68 days to go with this election, so I’m not putting the cart before the horse," she said.

"But I would, I think. I think it’s really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican."

• 'Exposing Her For the Fraud She is': Trump Looks Foward to Harris's Interview

"I look so forward to Debating Comrade Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is. Harris has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an Election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.," he said. 

• 'America will become a WASTELAND!' Trump Hits Back at Kamala on Her Policy Remark

Hitting back at Harris, Trump said that "America will become a wasteland" if she wins. "I just saw Comrade Kamala Harris’ answer to a very weakly-phrased question, a question that was put in more as a matter of defense than curiosity, but her answer rambled incoherently, and declared her "values haven’t changed." On that I agree, her values haven’t changed - The Border is going to remain open, not closed, there will be Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens, Sanctuary Cities, No Cash Bail, Gun Confiscation, Zero Fracking, a Ban on Gasoline-Powered Cars, Private Healthcare will be abolished, a 70-80% tax rate will be put in place, and she will Defund the Police. America will become a WASTELAND!" he wrote on Truth Social. 

• 'Climate Crisis is Real'

Asked about policy changes, Harris said, "I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed. You mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed – and I have worked on it – that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time."
In a highlight clip from her upcoming pre-recorded interview with CNN's Dana Bash, which will air later today, Harris was asked if she would "feel comfortable and confident that what you’re saying now is going to be your policy moving forward."

• 'Next Question, Please': Harris on Trump's 'Turned Black'

When asked to comment on Trump's "happened to turn Black", Harris said, "Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please."