In a recent interview, US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris addressed changes in her policy positions, including her stance on fracking. Harris, who has shifted from her earlier opposition to fracking, emphasized that her core values remain unchanged despite her evolving viewpoints.
During the interview, Harris firmly rejected claims that she has altered her fundamental principles. “No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking as vice president,” she stated. “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’ve not changed that position, nor will I be going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word.”
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The topic of fracking, a controversial method of extracting natural gas and petroleum, has gained prominence in the 2024 presidential race, especially in pivotal battleground states like Pennsylvania. Critics argue that fracking poses environmental risks, including the contamination of water sources.
Harris’s comments come in the wake of scrutiny from her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, and his allies, who have criticized her for allegedly avoiding unscripted media interactions. This interview was Harris’s first public response following her assumption of the Democratic ticket for the White House.
Shift On Fracking
When asked about her shift on fracking, Harris maintained that her values have not shifted, despite her policy adjustments. She also took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Biden administration, attributing the recovery from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to their leadership. “When Joe Biden and I came into office during the height of a pandemic, we saw over 10 million jobs were lost, and hundreds of people a day were dying because of Covid,” she said. “The economy had crashed, in large part, all of that because of mismanagement by Donald Trump.”
Harris’s responses aimed to reassure voters of her commitment to her principles while addressing criticisms of her policy changes.
