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In her first television interview since securing the Democratic nomination for the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris shared that she was spending time with her nieces when President Joe Biden called to inform her of his decision not to seek re-election. Harris, 59, alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recounted to CNN's Dana Bash that her family was visiting, and she had just finished breakfast and was about to start a puzzle when she received the call.
"It was Joe Biden on the line, and he told me his decision. I asked, ‘Are you sure?’ and he confirmed," Harris recalled. "Honestly, my first thought wasn't about myself; it was about him."
When Bash, 53, inquired if Harris requested Biden's endorsement, Harris mentioned that Biden assured her of his support. Serving as Biden’s vice president has been "one of the greatest honors of my career," she added.
During the interview, Harris addressed questions about her evolving,positions, such as her shift away from supporting a ban on fracking. "My core values remain unchanged. After four years as vice president and traveling the country extensively, I've learned the importance of building consensus and finding common ground to solve problems," she explained.
Since stepping into the presidential race on July 21, Harris has embarked on a series of rallies to energize her candidacy, with Walz joining her on the campaign trail from August 6. Despite the surge in her poll numbers, critics have accused her of focusing on scripted events rather than engaging in unscripted interviews and press conferences.
J.D. Vance criticized Harris at a campaign event in Philadelphia on August 6, claiming she is "running a basement campaign, avoiding tough questions from the free press." Harris has participated in numerous interviews this year, but a Republican-backed conspiracy theory has emerged, suggesting she struggles to speak without a teleprompter.
Thursday's interview with Bash was Harris's opportunity to counter these critiques and present a clear vision for a Harris-Walz administration, which she has been working to define over the past month. Harris will face Trump in their first presidential debate on September 10, where she has historically performed well, with additional debates between Walz and Vance scheduled for September 18 and October 1.
