US Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has said that her presidency would not simply be an extension of Joe Biden’s. Vice President Harris said she would bring her own leadership style and policies.
Interestingly, she made the remark during a combative interview with Fox News on Wednesday. Harris's choice of appearing in a pro-Trump platform is seen by many as a move to distance herself from the Biden presidency, despite her broad support for his policies during the campaign. It was also her first appearance on the conservative network and it was aimed as a strategic move to broaden her reach, particularly among Republican voters.
The tense 25-minute interview also saw Harris fielding some really tough questions from anchor Bret Baier.
This is Kamala Harris' entire interview with Bret Baier, the first time she ever had somebody actually challenge her in this entire election.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 16, 2024
Imagine watching this and thinking to yourself that this person should be President of the United States.pic.twitter.com/bBMfr6jdmS
Baier, in line with the Fox network’s pro-Trump stance, frequently interrupted Harris, often echoing Trump’s talking points on issues like economy, crime and immigration. He attempted to pin Harris to the Biden administration’s handling of illegal migration and the porous southern border. Harris countered by shifting focus to Trump’s undue interferences, arguing that a border security bill had failed in Congress because Trump put pressure on Republican Congressmen to kill the bill.
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Harris outlined her policy proposals, including plans to increase housing assistance for first-time homebuyers and provide more support for small businesses. She also used the platform to criticise Trump’s recent remarks about using military force against his critics, warning that such threats undermine the foundations of democracy. She said in a democracy, criticism should not be met with threats of retaliation or imprisonment.
Despite the frequent interruptions and the overall antagonistic tone, the interview allowed Harris to reach a wider conservative audience, particularly Republican women, whom her campaign hopes to sway. Her team sees potential in drawing a contrast with Trump that may appeal to moderate, centre-right voters. Trump’s campaign quickly responded by trolling Harris, sharing the interview in full as a mock campaign ad.
