CNN
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Vice President Kamala Harris and her operating mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sat down exclusively with CNN Thursday for her first interview since ascending to the highest of the Democratic ticket.
Simply days after accepting the nomination on the Democratic Nationwide Conference, Harris answered wide-ranging questions from CNN’s Dana Bash, together with on her financial and border insurance policies, assaults on her race from former President Donald Trump and the decision from President Joe Biden to inform her he was withdrawing from the race.
Learn the total transcript of the unique interview under.
BASH: Madam Vice President, Governor Walz, thanks a lot for sitting down with me and bringing the bus. Bus tour is effectively underway right here in Georgia. You may have much less time to make your case to voters than any candidate in fashionable American historical past. The voters are actually keen to listen to what your plans are. In case you are elected, what would you do on day one within the White Home?
HARRIS: Nicely, there are a variety of issues. I’ll let you know at the start considered one of my highest priorities is to do what we will to assist and strengthen the center class. Once I take a look at the aspirations, the objectives, the ambitions of the American individuals, I feel that individuals are prepared for a brand new approach ahead in a approach that generations of People have been fueled by — by hope and by optimism.
I feel sadly within the final decade, we have now had within the former president somebody who has actually been pushing an agenda and an surroundings that’s about diminishing the character and the energy of who we’re as People — actually dividing our nation. And I feel individuals are prepared to show the web page on that.
BASH: So what would you do day one?
HARRIS: Day one, it’s gonna be about one, implementing my plan for what I name a possibility financial system. I’ve already laid out various proposals in that regard, which embrace what we’re gonna do to deliver down the price of on a regular basis items, what we’re gonna do to put money into America’s small companies, what we’re gonna do to put money into households.
For instance, extending the kid tax credit score to $6,000 for households for the primary 12 months of their baby’s life to assist them purchase a automobile seat, to assist them purchase child garments, a crib. There’s the work that we’re gonna do that’s about investing within the American household round inexpensive housing, an enormous difficulty in our nation proper now. So there are a variety of issues on day one.
BASH: What about you?
WALZ: Nicely, I’m enthusiastic about this agenda, too. As I stated, the concept of inspiring America to what will be. And I feel lots of these items that the vice chairman’s proposing are — are — are issues that we share in values. And the kid tax credit score’s one we all know that reduces childhood poverty by a 3rd. We did it in Minnesota. To have a federal companion on this —unbelievable, I feel, within the impression that we will make
BASH: You speak about — you name it the chance financial system. You’re effectively conscious that proper now many People are struggling. There’s a disaster of affordability. Considered one of your marketing campaign themes is, “We’re not going again.” However I’m wondering what you say to voters who do wish to return on the subject of the financial system particularly as a result of their groceries have been inexpensive, housing was extra inexpensive when Donald Trump was president.
HARRIS: Nicely, let’s begin with the truth that when Joe Biden and I got here in workplace through the top of a pandemic, we noticed over 10 million jobs have been misplaced. Individuals — I imply, actually we’re all monitoring the numbers. Tons of of individuals a day have been dying due to COVID. The financial system had crashed.
Largely, all of that due to mismanagement by Donald Trump of that disaster. Once we got here in, our highest precedence was to do what we may to rescue America. And immediately, we all know that we have now inflation at underneath 3%. A whole lot of our insurance policies have led to the truth that America recovered sooner than any rich nation around the globe.
However you might be proper. Costs specifically for groceries are nonetheless too excessive. The American individuals understand it. I do know it. Which is why my agenda contains what we have to do to deliver down the value of groceries. For instance, coping with a difficulty like value gouging.
What we have to do to increase the kid tax credit score to assist younger households be capable of handle their kids of their most early life. What we have to do to deliver down the price of housing. My proposal contains what can be a tax credit score of $25,000 for first-time dwelling consumers to allow them to simply have sufficient to place a down cost on a house, which is a part of the American dream and their aspiration, however do it in a approach that enables them to truly get on the trail to reaching that aim and that dream.
BASH: So you may have been vice chairman for 3 and a half years. The steps that you simply’re speaking about now, why haven’t you executed them already?
HARRIS: Nicely, to start with, we needed to recuperate as an financial system, and we have now executed that. I’m very happy with the work that we have now executed that has introduced inflation right down to lower than 3%, the work that we have now executed to cap the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors. Donald Trump stated he was gonna do various issues, together with permitting Medicare to barter drug costs. By no means occurred. We did it.
So now, and I — as I journey within the state of Georgia and round our nation, the variety of seniors which have benefited, I’ve met — I used to be in Nevada lately. A grandmother who confirmed me her receipts. And earlier than we capped the price of insulin for seniors at $35 a month she was paying lots of of {dollars}, as much as 1000’s of {dollars} a month for her insulin. She’s not doing that any longer.
BASH: So that you keep Bidenomics is successful.
HARRIS: I keep that after we do the work of bringing down prescription remedy for the American individuals, together with capping the fee — of the annual price of prescription remedy for seniors at $2,000; after we do what we did within the first 12 months of being in workplace to increase the kid tax credit score in order that we lower baby poverty in America by over 50%; after we do what we have now executed to put money into the American individuals and bringing manufacturing again to the US in order that we created over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs, bringing enterprise again to America; what we have now executed to enhance the availability chain so we’re not counting on overseas governments to provide American households with their fundamental wants, I’ll say that that’s good work. There’s extra to do, however that’s good work.
BASH: I wish to get some readability on the place you stand on some key coverage points. Vitality is an enormous one. In — once you have been in Congress, you supported the Inexperienced New Deal. And in 2019 you stated, quote, “There isn’t a query I’m in favor of banning fracking.” Fracking, as , is a reasonably large difficulty, significantly in your must-win state of Pennsylvania.
HARRIS: Positive.
BASH: Do you continue to wish to ban fracking?
HARRIS: No, and I made that clear on the controversy stage in 2020, that I’d not ban fracking. As vice chairman, I didn’t ban fracking. As president, I cannot ban fracking.
BASH: In 2019, I consider in a city corridor you stated — you have been requested, “Would you decide to implementing a federal ban on fracking in your first day in workplace?” and also you stated, “There’s no query I’m in favor of banning fracking. So sure.” So it modified in — in that marketing campaign?
HARRIS: In 2020 I made very clear the place I stand. We’re in 2024, and I’ve not modified that place, nor will I going ahead. I saved my phrase, and I’ll hold my phrase.
BASH: What made you alter that place on the time?
HARRIS: Nicely, let’s be clear. My values haven’t modified. I consider it is extremely necessary that we take significantly what we should do to protect towards what’s a transparent disaster by way of the local weather. And to do this, we will do what we have now completed so far.
The Inflation Discount Act, what we have now executed to speculate by my calculation over t— most likely a trillion {dollars} over the following ten years investing in a clear power financial system. What we’ve already executed creating over 300,000 new clear power jobs. That tells me from my expertise as vice chairman we will do it with out banning fracking. In reality, Dana — Dana, excuse me — I solid the tie-breaking vote that really elevated leases for fracking as vice chairman. So I’m very clear about the place I stand.
BASH: And was there some coverage or scientific information that you simply noticed that you simply stated, “Oh, okay. I get it now”?
HARRIS: What I’ve seen is that we will — we will develop and we will enhance a thriving clear power financial system with out banning fracking.
BASH: Okay. One other difficulty, massive one, is immigration. As vice chairman you have been tasked with addressing the foundation causes of migration in southern nations and —
HARRIS: Northern a part of Central America.
BASH: The northern elements of —
HARRIS: Yeah.
BASH: — of — of Central America that offers with, that impacts the southern border of the US. Throughout the Biden-Harris administration, there have been document numbers of unlawful border crossings. Why did the Biden-Harris administration wait three and a half years to implement sweeping asylum restrictions?
HARRIS: Nicely, to start with, the foundation causes work that I did as vice chairman, that I used to be requested to do by the president has really resulted in an a variety of benefits, together with historic investments by American companies in that area. The variety of immigrants coming from that area has really diminished since we’ve started that work.
However I’ll say this: That Joe Biden and I and our administration labored with members of the US Congress on an immigration difficulty that may be very important to the American individuals and to our safety, which is the border. And thru bipartisan work, together with among the most conservative members of the US Congress, a invoice was crafted which we supported, which I assist.
And Donald Trump received phrase of this invoice that might’ve — that contributed to securing our border. And since he believes that it will not have helped him politically, he informed his of us in Congress, “Don’t put it ahead.” He killed the invoice: a border safety invoice that might’ve put 1,500 extra brokers on the border. And let me let you know one thing. The Border Patrol endorsed the invoice. And I’m certain —
(OVERTALK)
HARRIS: — and I’m certain largely as a result of they knew they have been working across the clock and 1,500 extra brokers would assist them. That invoice would have allowed us to extend seizures of fentanyl. Ask any neighborhood in America that has been devastated by fentanyl what passing that invoice would have executed to deal with their concern and a ache they’ve skilled —
BASH: So you’d — so you’d push that laws once more? I simply wish to ask ab—
HARRIS: Not solely push it. I’ll make it possible for it involves my desk and I’d signal it.
BASH: Only one different query about one thing that you simply stated in 2019 once you first ran. There was a debate. You raised your hand when requested whether or not or not the border must be decriminalized. Do you continue to consider that?
HARRIS: I consider there must be consequence. We’ve got legal guidelines that should be adopted and enforced that tackle and cope with individuals who cross our border illegally. And there must be consequence. And let’s be clear, on this race, I’m the one one that has prosecuted transnational prison organizations who visitors in weapons, medicine, and human beings. I’m the one particular person on this race who really served a border state as legal professional basic to implement our legal guidelines. And I’d implement our legal guidelines as president going ahead. I acknowledge the issue.
BASH: Typically talking, how ought to voters take a look at among the adjustments that you simply’ve made — that you simply defined a few of right here — in your coverage? Is it as a result of you may have extra expertise now and also you’ve realized extra in regards to the info? Is it since you’re operating for president in a Democratic major? And may they really feel comfy and assured that what you’re saying now could be gonna be your coverage transferring ahead?
HARRIS: Dana, I feel the — the — crucial and most important facet of my coverage perspective and choices is my values haven’t modified. You talked about the Inexperienced New Deal. I’ve at all times believed and I’ve labored on it, that the local weather disaster is actual, that it’s an pressing matter to which we should always apply metrics that embrace holding ourselves to deadlines round time.
We did that with the Inflation Discount Act. We’ve got set objectives for the US of America and by extension the globe round after we ought to meet sure requirements for discount of greenhouse gasoline emissions, for instance. That worth has not modified. My worth round what we have to do to safe our border, that worth has not modified. I spent two phrases because the legal professional basic of California prosecuting transnational prison organizations, violations of American legal guidelines relating to the passage, unlawful passage of weapons, medicine, and human beings throughout our border. My values didn’t change.
So that’s the actuality of it, and 4 years of being vice chairman, I’ll let you know, one of many — the — the points to your level is touring the nation extensively. I imply, I’m right here in Georgia, I feel any person informed me 17 occasions since I’ve been vice chairman in Georgia alone. I consider it is very important construct consensus, and it is very important — to — to discover a frequent place of understanding of the place we will really resolve issues.
BASH: On that notice, you had numerous Republican audio system on the conference. Will you appoint a Republican to your Cupboard?
HARRIS: Sure, I’d.
BASH: Anybody in thoughts—
HARRIS: Sure, I’d. No, nobody specifically in thoughts. I received — we received 68 days to go together with this election, so I’m not puttin’ the cart earlier than the horse. However I’d. I feel — I feel it’s actually necessary. I — I’ve spent my profession inviting range of opinion. I feel it’s necessary to have individuals on the desk when among the most necessary choices are being made which have totally different views, totally different experiences. And I feel it will be to the advantage of the American public to have a member of my Cupboard who’s a Republican.
BASH: Talking of Republicans, I wish to ask you about your opponent, Donald Trump. I used to be just a little bit shocked, individuals could be shocked to listen to that you’ve got by no means interacted with him, met him head to head. That’s gonna change quickly, however what I wish to ask you about is what he stated final month. He recommended that you simply occurred to show Black lately for political functions, questioning a core a part of your identification.
HARRIS: Yeah.
BASH: Any—
HARRIS: Standard, drained playbook. Subsequent query, please. (LAUGH)
BASH: That’s it?
HARRIS: That’s it.
BASH: OK. Let’s speak about some overseas coverage points that might be in your plate in the event you grow to be commander in chief. President Biden has tried unsuccessfully to finish the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. He’s been doing it for months and months, together with you. Would you do something in a different way? For instance, would you withhold some US weapons shipments to Israel? That’s what lots of people on the progressive left need you to do.
HARRIS: Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and — and unwavering in my dedication to Israel’s protection and its skill to defend itself. And that’s not gonna change. However let’s take a step again. October 7, 1,200 individuals are massacred, many younger people who find themselves merely attending a musical competition. Ladies have been horribly raped. As I stated then, I say immediately, Israel had a proper — has a proper to defend itself. We’d. And the way it does so issues. Far too many harmless Palestinians have been killed. And we have now received to get a deal executed. We — we have been in Doha. We’ve got to get a deal executed. This conflict should finish—
BASH: And within the meantime—
HARRIS: And we should get a deal that’s about getting the hostages out. I’ve met with the households of the American hostages. Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire executed.
BASH: However no change in coverage by way of arms and — and so forth?
HARRIS: No. I — we have now to get a deal executed. Dan — Dana, we have now to get a deal executed. While you take a look at the importance of this to the households, to the people who find themselves residing in that area — it — a deal will not be solely the best factor to do to finish this conflict however will unlock a lot of what should occur subsequent.
I stay dedicated since I’ve been on October 8 to what we should do to work towards a two-state resolution the place Israel is safe and in equal measure the Paletin — the Palestinians have safety and self-determination and — and dignity.
BASH: Governor Walz, the nation is simply beginning to get to know you. I wish to ask you a query about the way you’ve described your service within the Nationwide Guard.
WALZ: Yeah.
BASH: You stated that you simply carried weapons in conflict, however you may have by no means deployed really in a conflict zone. A marketing campaign official stated that you simply misspoke. Did you?
WALZ: Nicely, to start with, I’m extremely proud. I’ve executed 24 years of wearin’ uniform of this nation. Equally happy with my service in a public faculty classroom, whether or not it’s Congress or — or the governor. My document speaks for itself, however I feel individuals are coming to get to know me. I — I communicate like they do. I communicate candidly. I put on my feelings on my sleeves, and I communicate particularly passionately about — about our kids being shot in faculties and round — round weapons. So I feel individuals know me. They know who I’m. They know the place — the place my coronary heart is, and once more, my document has been on the market for over 40 years to — to talk for itself.
BASH: And the — the concept that you stated that you simply have been in conflict, did you misspeak, because the marketing campaign has stated?
WALZ: Yeah, I stated — we have been speaking about on this case, this was after a faculty capturing, the concepts of carrying these weapons of conflict. And my spouse the English instructor informed me my grammar’s not at all times right. However once more, if it’s not this, it’s an assault on my kids for displaying love for me, or it’s an assault on my canine. I’m not gonna do this, and the one factor I’ll by no means do is I’ll by no means demean one other member’s service in any approach. I by no means have and I by no means will.
BASH: And only one different query, as a result of, once more, that is all new. This was not — nevertheless many days in the past, this was not on both of your bingo playing cards, particularly yours. You needed to make clear that you simply had stated that you simply and your spouse used IVF, but it surely turned out you used a special sort of fertility to be able to have kids. After which once you ran for Congress in 2006, your marketing campaign repeatedly made false statements a few 1995 arrest for drunk and reckless driving. What do you say to voters who aren’t certain whether or not they can take you at your phrase?
WALZ: Nicely, I’ve been very public. I feel they will see — my college students come out — former of us I’ve served with, and so they — and so they do, they vouch for me. I definitely personal my errors once I make ‘em. The one factor I’ll let you know is I needed on this nation we wouldn’t have to do that. I spoke about our infertility points ‘trigger it’s hell, and households know this. And I — I spoke in regards to the therapies that have been obtainable to us that — that had these stunning kids there. That’s fairly a distinction in of us which are making an attempt to — to take these rights away from us.
And so I — I feel individuals know who I’m. They know that document. They’ve seen that I’ve taught 1000’s of scholars. I’ve been on the market. And I — I gained’t apologize for talking passionately, whether or not it’s weapons in faculties or safety of reproductive rights. The distinction couldn’t be clearer between what we’re operating towards. The vice chairman’s place on this has been clear. And I feel most People get it, in the event you’ve been via that. I don’t suppose they’re slicing hairs on IVF or IUI. I feel what they’re slicing hairs on is an abortion ban and the power to have the ability to deny households the possibility to have an exquisite baby.
BASH: Vice President Harris, you have been a really staunch defender of President Biden’s capability to serve one other 4 years proper after the controversy. You insisted that President Biden is awfully sturdy. Given the place we are actually, do you may have any regrets about what you informed the American individuals?
HARRIS: No, in no way. By no means. I’ve served with President Biden for nearly 4 years now. And I’ll inform ya it’s one of many best honors of my profession, really. He cares so deeply in regards to the American individuals. He’s so sensible and — and constant to the American individuals. And I’ve spent hours upon hours with him, be it within the Oval Workplace or the State of affairs Room. He has the intelligence, the dedication, and the judgment and disposition that I feel the American individuals rightly deserve of their president.
In contrast, the previous president has none of that. And so — one, I — I — I’m so proud to have served as vice chairman to Joe Biden. And, two, I’m so proud to be operating with Tim Walz for president of the US and to deliver America what I consider the American individuals deserve, which is a brand new approach ahead, and switch the web page on the final decade of what I consider has been opposite to the place the spirit of our nation actually lies.
BASH: With the final decade, after all, the final three and a half years has been a part of your administration.
HARRIS: I’m speaking about an period that began a few decade in the past the place there may be some suggestion, warped I consider it to be, that the measure of the energy of a pacesetter is predicated on you beat down as an alternative of the place I consider most People are, which is to consider that the true measure of the energy of a pacesetter is predicated on who you carry up. That’s what’s at stake as a lot as some other element that we may focus on on this election.
BASH: As a result of we haven’t had an opportunity to — to speak, I’m simply curious, staying on President Biden, when he known as you and stated he was pulling outta the race, what was that like? And did he provide to endorse you instantly or did you ask for it?
HARRIS: It was — it was a Sunday, so, right here, I’ll — I’ll offer you just a little an excessive amount of info. (LAUGHTER)
BASH: Go for it. There’s no such factor, Madam Vice President.
HARRIS: My household was staying with us. And — together with my child nieces. And we had simply had pancakes and, , “Auntie, can I’ve extra bacon?” “Sure, I’ll make you extra bacon.” After which we have been gonna sit — we have been sitting right down to — to do a puzzle. (LAUGH) And the cellphone rang. And it was Joe Biden. And — and he informed me what he had determined to do. And I requested him, “Are you certain?” And he stated, “Sure.” And — and that’s how I realized about it.
BASH: And what in regards to the endorsement? Did you ask for it?
HARRIS: He was very clear that he was gonna assist me.
BASH: So when he known as to let you know, he stated, “I’m pulling outta the race and I’m gonna assist you?”
HARRIS: Nicely, my first thought was not about me to be trustworthy with you. My first thought was about him to be trustworthy. I feel historical past is gonna present various issues about Joe Biden’s presidency. I feel historical past is gonna present that in so some ways it was transformative, be it on what we have now completed round lastly investing in America’s infrastructure, investing in new economics, in new industries, what we have now executed to deliver our allies again collectively, and trust in who we’re as America, and develop that alliance, what we have now executed to face true to our ideas together with the — the — one of the crucial necessary worldwide guidelines and norms, which is the significance of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
And I feel historical past is gonna present not solely has Joe Biden led an administration that has achieved these extraordinary successes, however the character of the person is one which he has been in his life and profession, together with as a president, fairly selfless and places the American individuals first.
BASH: I simply should ask you each about two standout moments, apart after all from the addresses that you simply each gave, however standout moments that have been maybe sudden through the conference. You talked about considered one of them, governor, a second that you simply shared, that the world shared along with your son, Gus. You have been talking. The digicam caught him so extremely happy with you, so emotional, saying, “That’s my dad.”
WALZ: Yeah. I — I don’t know as a father I may’ve ever imagined that. I — I’m grateful for thus many causes to be on this ticket. However that second — to know what was actually necessary, to — to have my son really feel a way of delight in me, that I used to be making an attempt to do the best factor. And it was, , you try to shield your youngsters. it brings — it brings notoriety in issues. However it was simply such a visceral, emotional second that I’m — I’m simply — I’m grateful I received to expertise it. And I’m — I’m so happy with him.
I’m happy with him. I’m happy with Hope. I’m happy with Gwen. She’s a beautiful mom. And these are nice youngsters. And I feel the one factor is, speaking in regards to the period we’re in, is our politics will be higher. It may be totally different. We are able to — we will present a few of these issues. And we will have households concerned on this. And I — I hope that there was — I hope individuals felt that on the market. And I hope they hugged their youngsters just a little tighter, since you simply by no means know. And life will be kinda exhausting.
BASH: And final query, Madam Vice President, the {photograph} that has gone viral. You have been talking. Considered one of your grand nieces that you simply have been simply speaking about was watching you settle for the nomination. You didn’t explicitly speak about gender or race in your speech. However it clearly means rather a lot to lots of people. And that viral image actually says it. What does it imply to you?
HARRIS: , I — pay attention, I’m operating as a result of I consider that I’m one of the best particular person to do that job at this second for all People, no matter race and gender. However I did see that {photograph}. And I used to be deeply touched by it. And, you’re proper, she’s — it’s the again of her head, and her two little braids, and — after which I’m within the entrance of the {photograph} clearly talking. It’s very humbling. It’s very humbling in some ways.
BASH: Did she discuss to you about it afterwards?
HARRIS: Oh, she had rather a lot to speak (LAUGHTER) about. She had rather a lot. She listened to all the pieces. And she or he listens to all the pieces.
BASH: She gave you her scorching takes?
HARRIS: Oh, yeah, positively. Uh-huh. (LAUGH)
BASH: Madam Vice President, Governor Walz, thanks a lot to your time. Respect it.
HARRIS: Okay, thanks.
WALZ: Thanks for having us.
HARRIS: Thanks, Dana. Thanks.