The Harris Interview by Bret Baier: Key takeaways from 'the Democratic spill'

Kamala Harris Fox News Interview: Vice President Kamala Harris took a significant step on Wednesday by appearing on Fox News, an outlet with a largely skeptical audience, to clarify her stance on her presidential run. Her main message was clear: "My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden's presidency," Harris told Fox's Bret Baier. This bold move was aimed at addressing concerns from both Democrats and a broader American audience.

1. Distancing from Biden's style of presidency

Harris used the interview to carve out a more independent identity, emphasizing a "new generation of leadership." She acknowledged Biden's contributions but stressed that her administration would bring fresh ideas and new energy. “Like every new president, I will bring my life experiences, my professional experiences, and fresh and new ideas,” she said. This statement comes after criticism from Republicans, accusing her of being too closely aligned with Biden’s policies.

2. The border crisis

Immigration dominated the beginning of the interview, with Baier pushing Harris on the millions of undocumented immigrants who have crossed into the U.S. since Biden took office. Harris expressed compassion for crime victims while also attempting to steer the conversation towards bipartisan efforts that were stifled by former President Trump. However, she struggled to defend the administration’s handling of immigration over the past three years.

3. 'Trump’s supporters are enemies within'

When Baier questioned her about Trump’s supporters, asking if she thought they were "stupid" or "misguided," Harris sharply responded, “Oh, god, I would never say that about the American people.” She shifted the focus back to Trump, criticizing him for belittling Americans in his rallies. Harris attacked Trump for his divisive rhetoric, particularly his recent claims about "enemies from within."

Reading between the lines

Both camps saw the interview through partisan lenses. Trump’s team called it a failure, while Harris' campaign hailed it as a success. The reality likely falls somewhere in the middle, but Harris demonstrated her ability to maintain composure in a tough environment, which may bolster her appeal to swing voters. Her spokesperson, Brian Fallon, highlighted that Harris "reached an audience that has probably not been exposed to her arguments" and "showed her toughness."

Kamala Harris interview on FOX just blew the roof off. She’s going to fire the person whose idea it was that she does FOX instead of a liberal Youtuber 😂 She admitted feeling sorry for lives lost due to open border policy… she handed the goal to DJT pic.twitter.com/OsrlMZQawt

— WhoIsHumphreyAnyway? (@Iam_Humphrey) October 17, 2024