Over the long Labor Day weekend, Democratic officials defended Vice President Kamala Harris against criticism that she was constantly shifting between policy positions.
“I think that's the mark of a great leader, being able to learn and evolve over time,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said. Speaking on ABC's “This Week” on sunday.
“Many voters recognize that a natural evolution will occur as they become more informed, as they gain more experience, or as they take on different jobs.” Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania agreed. During a Labor Day appearance on CNN.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., took a different approach during an appearance on NBC. “Meet the Press” Over the weekend, she was described as a “progressive [is] She is “practical” and “consistent” in her policy approach.
Bill Maher mocks Harris and Waltz's swaying behavior in CNN interview: “It's just an insult to my intelligence”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) spoke at a student loan forgiveness rally near the White House in April 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In her first interview as the Democratic candidate, Harris on Thursday asserted that she would “enforce” the law against illegal border crossings, something she had hinted against during the 2019 presidential campaign.
'For election purposes': Critics push back against Harris' claim to 'enforce our laws' at southern border
Harris also argued that despite stating that she was “in favor” of banning fracking on federal lands as a presidential candidate in 2019, she made it clear as a vice presidential candidate in 2020 that she did not want to ban fracking.
After completely reversing her far-left stance in 2019, Vice President Kamala Harris raised some eyebrows when she told CNN's Dana Bash that her “values haven't changed.” (Screenshot/CNN)
“The idea that she's inconsistent — what about Donald Trump's vacillations? What about his vacillations on abortion?” Khanna questioned Sunday. “I think the vice president has been consistent in his positions on fracking. That's just the way Joe Biden has been.”
On health care, campaign officials have said Harris does not support Medicare for All, but she has yet to publicly state that she does not support a single-payer health care system after suggesting during a 2019 debate that she would “abolish” private health care in favor of a “government-run plan.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for clarification on her position on health care but did not receive a response.
“I ran against her as co-chair of the Bernie Sanders campaign, and she did not support Medicare for All in the 2020 primaries,” Khanna said.
Polis and Boyle acknowledged Harris' change of position but argued it was a sign of good leadership.
“Whether you lean center, left or right, what really matters is what works, and Kamala Harris is a practical leader who will look at the data and the science and make the best decisions,” Polis said.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis speaks onstage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“I'm not 100% where I am now compared to 15 years ago when I was first elected,” Boyle told CNN about Harris' stance on fracking. “It's part of growing up. I think it's natural. It's about ultimately getting to the right position on policy, and in Kamala Harris's case, she has.”
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Boyle also accused Trump of being far more inconsistent with his policy positions than Harris: “On most issues, Kamala Harris cannot be compared to Donald Trump's constant, never-ending policy shifts,” he said.
