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Vice President Kamala Harris sat for her third interview with a major network on October 22, discussing her economic plans, contrasting herself with former President Donald Trump, and fielding pointed questions about abortion and the state of President Joe Biden’s health. The 22-minute conversation with Hallie Jackson of NBC News followed previous major interviews with CBS’s 60 Minutes on October 7 and Fox News on October 17.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview:
Harris Believes Americans Are Ready for a Woman President
Harris expressed confidence that the country is prepared for a woman in the Oval Office, emphasizing that voters care more about competence than gender. When asked about her gender and its role in her candidacy, she chuckled, saying, “I’m clearly a woman” and noted, “The point that most people really care about is, can you do the job, and do you have a plan to actually focus on them?” Harris dismissed sexism as a factor in her campaign, stating that voters are primarily concerned with issues like lowering costs and securing the country’s position on the world stage.
Won’t Discuss a Pardon for Trump
When asked about the possibility of pardoning Trump, Harris refused to speculate, saying, “I’m not going to get into those hypotheticals. I’m focused on the next 14 days.” Jackson pressed on whether a pardon could help unite the country, to which Harris responded, “Let me tell you what’s going to help us move on. I get elected president of the United States.”
Tax Breaks for People, Not Corporations
Harris highlighted her economic plan, which focuses on providing tax breaks and financial aid directly to consumers, particularly young parents, while criticizing Trump’s approach as favoring corporations. “Six thousand extra dollars during the first year of their child’s life can help them buy a crib, or a car seat, or clothes,” Harris said. She also reiterated her support for a national minimum wage of at least $15 per hour.
No Religious Exemption on Abortion
Harris reaffirmed her stance on abortion rights, stating her support for codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade through legislation. When Jackson asked if Harris would consider concessions like religious exemptions, Harris firmly stated, “I don’t think we should be making concessions when we’re talking about a fundamental freedom to make decisions about your own body.”
Stands by Statements on Biden’s Health
Jackson pressed Harris on whether she had been completely honest with the American people about President Biden’s health, particularly following his debated performance against Trump. Harris defended Biden, calling him “extremely accomplished, experienced, and capable,” but acknowledged the poor debate, saying, “People have bad debates.” Jackson raised the issue of trust, to which Harris responded by praising Biden’s leadership, though she did not directly address the specific concerns about his performance.
Noncommittal on Cheney as Cabinet Member
When asked if she had discussed a cabinet position with Liz Cheney, who has endorsed her, Harris said, “I’ll keep you posted.” Cheney has been seen at multiple campaign events with Harris, including in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan.
