A successful Harris interview on CNN tonight

I admit I was a bit nervous about Kamala Harris' first nationally televised interview. I'm glad I was nervous, because my relief when it went swimmingly was twice as powerful.

She was steadfastly serious — no laughing, which for some odd reason unsettles some folks — and direct, confident and firm in her answers.

She was quite strong, for instance, in response to Dana Bash's effort to expose her frightful hypocrisy on the issue of fracking. You said .... something something in 2019 about fracking ... and now you're saying ... something something ... different, pressed Bash. How can you possibly square the 180? Simple, responded Harris. I changed my mind in 2020 and have remained in support of fracking since. Sooo, you satisfied? Next question, Dana. 

This whole business of You said something five years ago which is not what you're saying today is actually pretty damned silly, especially in this election. I heard just a a few seconds of CNN's pre-interview discussion panel. A commentator pointed out that Trump quite literally changes positions on major issues within a period of five minutes. Rather lame, then, to harp on a Harris switch over five years.

The nominee was also particularly strong on immigration. She succinctly laid out Trump's devious political self-interest in sending word to his congressional allies that he wanted the robust, muscular, bipartisan and essentially conservative immigration bill killed. As president she'll see that the legislation gets to her Oval Office desk — and she'll sign it.  

A mere one hour allotted for Kamala's first major interview and Ms. Bash asked — I stopped to make sure I heard this one correctly – if she'll appoint a Republican to her cabinet. Good grief. More informative — seriously — would have been Harris' answer to an inquiry into which presidential portraits she'll hang in her office. And which bronzed busts she'll want. Oh, and any color changes throughout the WH's residential quarters? OK, that one not so serious.

Bash's initial question, which centered on "Voters are eager to hear what you'll do" policy-wise, is a matter I'm going to hold off on for now. I'll address it tomorrow morning. Because what I learned tonight was a real eye-opener.

What followed those policy questions was of much lesser importance; essentially, wasted airtime. The one expected question that I suppose may have interested some viewers was on her racial makeup, which Kamala batted away as she's done for several years.

All told, a success, a solid performance. And I'm breathing much easier now.

(By the way, before someone says, "I knew you'd say her interview was successful," if Harris had bombed, I would have said so. You can take my word for that, or not. Makes no difference to me.)

Comments

[Anne J]

I admire how she batted away that inane race question. Same old, tired act, just move on. She made it clear that she was not going to dance to Trump's tune, no matter how much the media may want her to.

[Mary]

One word: underwhelming.