CNN Interview: A breath of fresh air and a return to decency

August 30, 2024

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sat down with Dana Bash of CNN for an interview. It was as if we had returned to the “before-times” when journalists asked questions and candidates gave answers that managed to bend the questions to their campaign talking points. I imply no criticism of that tactic; it is as old as politics. But the interview harkened back to a time before lies were accepted as answers, and a MAGA bully threatens and attacks journalists who have the temerity to ask questions that do not please him.

It was a breath of fresh air and a promise of the return to decency and normalcy at the heart of the Harris-Walz campaign.

Although the interview was not a contest to be “won” or “lost,” it was freighted with enormous expectations. By every measure, Kamala Harris exceeded those expectations. She was poised, personable, presidential, and prepared. Her answers were spot-on. She did not miss a beat or an opportunity. She was cooperative, not combative. She went after Trump without apology or restraint while not appearing mean or angry (unlike Trump). She smiled, laughed, and sprinkled her answers with personal anecdotes that made her relatable and human.

It was a huge win for Kamala Harris. Indeed, she “won” the interview in the first minute when she responded about her priorities if she is elected. She said,

“My first priority is to support the middle class . . . by creating an Opportunity Economy. . . to find a new way forward fueled by hope and optimism. The former president pushed an agenda that diminished the strength and character of the American people and divides our nation. People are ready to turn the page.” [These are my real-time notes that paraphrase VP Harris’s comments. Please consult the video for actual quotes.]

Kamala Harris’s shortest answers were particularly effective:

“Do you still want to ban fracking?” Answer: “No. I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020.”

How can the American people trust you [on fracking]? Answer: “I kept my word, and I will keep my word.”

What do you have to say about Trump's statement that you “just turned Black” for political purposes? Answer: “Same old tired playbook. Next question, please.”

“The true measure of a leader is based on who you lift up, not who you beat down.”

Kamala Harris was adept at taking a question that criticized the changes in her policy positions and turning them to forward-looking positive statements about her agenda as the next president. In one exchange about energy and the Green New Deal, she said,

“My values have not changed. We must do what we can to invest in a clean energy economy. I cast the tie-breaking vote that increased fracking. We can grow and increase a thriving economy without banning fracking.”

When Dana Bash asked, “Why did the administration wait three years to implement changes at the border,” Harris pointed out that she and Joe Biden worked on a bipartisan border bill that Donald Trump killed to advance his election prospects. She also worked in the fact that her work in addressing the root cause of illegal border crossing (instability in Central America) caused the number of border crossings to drop to levels below that of the Trump administration.

When asked about a 2019 statement that illegal border crossings should be decriminalized, she said “I will enforce our laws. I am the only candidate in this race who has prosecuted cartels and gangs for smuggling guns and drugs into the US.”

There is more, but the above gives a flavor of Kamala Harris's impressive performance in response to an interviewer who was respectful but essentially posed a series of MAGA talking points as questions.

Tim Walz was good, but he occupied a smaller role in the interview. He was less direct in answering the MAGA talking points about his DUI in the 1990s, his description of using IVF (as opposed to fertility treatments) to conceive, and his use of the phrase claiming that he “carried weapons in war.” But we should not fret over those challenges—because Trump and JD Vance are creating new problems for themselves every day.

Oh, and in what should be the major story of the day, Kamala Harris tore the roof off in a packed stadium in Savannah, Georgia. Crowd size and enthusiasm do not equal votes or guarantee a win, but the “honeymoon” isn’t over—by a long shot. (It isn’t a honeymoon; it is a movement.) The video is here: Georgia Rally with Vice President Kamala Harris | Harris-Walz 2024. Yes, it was her stump speech, but she was Obama-esque in her delivery.

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Trump-Vance campaign’s very bad day

As Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were firing on all cylinders, Trump and Vance had a disastrous day. I note the events below not to gloat but to give readers a sense that the Trump-Vance campaign is still struggling to find a response to Kamala Harris’s fine-tuned campaign performances. Having spent the better part of a year worrying about Democratic messaging, it is a relief to see that Democrats are staying on message while Republicans are flailing. And every indication suggests that the voters are noticing.

Trump was creating havoc for his campaign all day long on Thursday. He created a firestorm of confusion over his policies on abortion and delivered an incoherent performance at a town hall hosted by Tulsi Gabbard.

On the abortion issue, Trump is panicking because polling shows that his support among women is cratering.

On Thursday, Trump made two statements that would, if true, represent seismic shifts in his policies regarding reproductive liberty. Both statements have already infuriated his evangelical base. He will likely walk back the statements as soon as possible.

So, what did he say?

First, he said—or strongly implied—he would vote in favor of Florida’s ballot initiative repealing the state’s existing six-week abortion ban. See NPR, Saying 6 weeks is 'too short,' Trump plans to vote for abortion rights. Asked about how he will vote on the ballot initiative, Trump said

I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks.

The Trump campaign immediately issued a statement saying, “President Trump has not said how he will vote”—which flatly contradicts Trump's statement, “I am going to be voting . . . .”

The Trump campaign does not want Trump to ever answer the question of how he will vote on the ballot initiative guaranteeing reproductive liberty in Florida. Regardless of how Trump answers that question, he will drive a wedge between his campaign and a substantial block of voters. Indeed, his statement on Thursday that “I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks” drew swift condemnation from evangelical leaders in the anti-choice movement.

Separately, Trump promised that his administration would make the government or insurance companies pay for IVF procedures. That would be wonderful, but it appears that Donald Trump does not know what IVF is or who much it costs. As many couples know, IVF can be a long, agonizing process with many false stars. Many couples invest tens of thousands of dollars in each attempted IVF procedure—and must go through multiple procedures.

Trump also appears to be ignorant of the fact that IVF is opposed by the Catholic Church and most evangelical denominations. Indeed, JD Vance voted to oppose a Senate bill to protect access to IVF. It does not appear that anyone on the Trump campaign thought through the ramifications of flip-flopping on a reproductive rights issue that is “abortion adjacent” for many anti-choice Republicans. (They oppose IVF because if frequently involves the destruction of fertilized embryos.)

Trump and JD Vance violate the First Rule of Holes: When you are in a hole, stop digging.

After Trump's crude and vulgar misogynistic attack on Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton yesterday, a smart campaign would tell its candidates to be on the best behavior. Instead, JD Vance circulated an offensive clip intended to mock Kamala Harris in advance of the CNN interview. The video clip is the excruciatingly bad answer by Miss South Carolina (in the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant) explaining why 20% of Americans can’t locate the US on a world map.

JD Vance posted the video of Miss South Carolina with a note saying, “I have gotten ahold [sic] of the full CNN Kamala Harris interview.” JD Vance’s post was beneath a 12-year-old boy but profoundly inappropriate from a vice-presidential candidate.

Of course, in his haste to mock Kamala Harris, JD Vance failed to learn that Miss South Carolina is a big MAGA supporter who considered suicide over the cyberbullying that followed her disastrous answer—which JD Vance has now mocked anew.

James Fallows responded, “Does JD Vance know that women can vote?” But it was Joyce Vance (the MSNBC commentator and law professor, not related to JD Vance) who put it best in her response:

This is exactly what they have in store for women. Belittle us. Ridicule us. Reduce us to second class citizenship. A candidate for VP who says this should be removed, but it's precisely what Trump thinks too.

Vance’s insult to all women everywhere followed his appearance before the IAFF firefighter’s union in Boston, where he was roundly booed on multiple occasions after asserting that Trump would be the most pro-union president ever. See CNN Politics, Video: JD Vance reacts to being booed at firefighters’ union convention. (Tim Walz appeared at the same convention two days ago to sustained applause.)

But as bad as Vance’s appearance was, Trump made Vance look like a preschooler learning to ride a tricycle. Trump made two appearances. Both were rambling, incoherent, and off-topic. I wish I could point to a major media report detailing the incoherence and mental deterioration, but alas! When Biden stutters, it is on every front page; but the media looks away when Trump says, “Nobody eats bacon any more. This was caused by their horrible energy. Wind. The want wind all over the place. But when it doesn’t blow, we have a problem.

Rather than junk up the newsletter with other Trump gibberish, click here if you want to read one of his rambling answers at a town hall that was responsive to nothing.

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Opportunities for reader engagement

DO SOMETHING for NORTH CAROLINA!

Join David Pepper and Wiley Nickel on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 7:00 - 8:00 pm EDT (4:00 - 5:00 pm PT)

David Pepper’s book, Laboratories of Autocracy, sounds the alarm of how we are losing democracy in the states. The States Project researches which states are the most flippable or must-keepable for strategic giving (as opposed to emotional giving) to Democratic state legislature candidates with funds raised from its Giving Circles.  The Tending to Democracy Giving Circle was inspired by Heather Cox Richardson and generously supported by Robert Hubbell (and their readers!).  

North Carolina is not only a swing state in the national election.  When registered Democrat Tricia Cotham changed her party, North Carolina’s state legislature became a Republican supermajority that can and must be broken to support Democratic Governor Roy Cooper as they fend off ultra-reactionary MAGA forces such as his opponent, current Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson.

Register for this event on 9/04/24 by clicking this link: DO SOMETHING for NORTH CAROLINA

Check out the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle in advance, or donate here if you will not be able to attend the event:

And invite friends and family to join you!  Looking forward to seeing you, and thank you from the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle Leadership Team, Annette, Ellie, Jan, and Marcy

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Join Central Valley Matters to hear Julian Castro!

Dolores Huerta and Julian Castro Speak!

Contribute to Change in California's Central Valley

When/Where: Thursday, September 5 at 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm – Online

Former Obama Cabinet member Julian Castro will lead a conversation with celebrated activist Dolores Huerta, the featured speaker at an online fundraiser for Central Valley Matters -- an organization that supports effective grassroots groups working for progressive change in the Central Valley. Your contributions will fund organizers in California's House District-22 (CD-22) who will energize underrepresented voters, leading to victories for leaders who will represent their communities. And your support helps hardworking residents find ways to improve healthcare, working conditions, and the environment.

Use this link to register: Dolores Huerta - Central Valley Matters

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Concluding Thoughts

Okay, that’s enough. Trump and Vance are going to continue this self-destructive behavior for the next 70 days. Meanwhile, every day that Harris and Walz stay on message and execute their campaign with professionalism and joy is another day they move closer to victory. We can take nothing for granted, but we sure have new reason for hope!

Talk to you tomorrow!

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Daily Dose of Perspective

The photo below was a surprise to me! I pointed my scope in the direction of the Sagittarius Star Cloud, which appeared to be a dense starfield with little else to recommend it. Was I ever wrong! The photo shows a beautiful patch of stars intermixed with diffuse gas clouds. (Note the dark gas cloud leaning into the photo on the right edge. More about that tomorrow.)

[Click on photo to enlarge]

The Sagittarius Star Cloud is “a pseudo cluster of stars spread thousands of light-years along our line of sight perceived through a tunnel in the Milky Way’s interstellar dust.” (From Sky Safari.) It is classified as Messier 24. The various components of the star cloud range from 5,000 to 16,000 light-years from Earth.

The photo is low resolution due to my impatience. I took a short exposure because I assumed there was nothing to see other than stars, which are very bright against the dark sky. However, when I downloaded the photo from my scope, I was pleasantly surprised to see gas clouds pop into view. A longer exposure would have resulted in sharper stars.