In an interview with PBS's “Firing Line” published Friday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, would take a position on energy. His “interpretation'' is that the reason for the change was “because she listened and looked at policy.'' “The power of natural gas, an energy source right here in the United States, has the power to strengthen our economy and strengthen our national security,” she said, though it's unclear what the reason for her change is. , it's “the vice president's responsibility” to explain her rationale for this. ”
host Margaret Huber asked. [relevant exchange begins around 18:05] “Vice President Harris has changed her previous positions on energy. She has changed her views on fracking and electric vehicle mandates. I also know that you say it shows her strength and her ability to evolve and learn. Governor, what I want to ask is, did she tell you why she changed her position?”
Mr. Shapiro responded: “First of all, Joe Biden was right circa 1987. We need to produce more energy in this country for our economy and our national security. We're producing more energy than ever before, and that's something to be proud of. As the governor of Pennsylvania, which is a net energy exporter, I'm certainly proud of that, and that's very important. And I think Kamala Harris' view on this issue has changed, and I think that's a sign of strength, as I said and you quoted. We listened and evolved on this issue.”
Then Hoover cut in and asked. “But why?” What made her change? ”
“We've never really discussed this issue directly,” Shapiro said. “It's clear to me, and this is my interpretation, that she listened and said that natural gas, as an energy source here in the United States, is driving the economy. It's about understanding that we have the power to strengthen and strengthen our national security, as Joe Biden said in 1987.
Huber then said, “The worry and concern is that she may have just changed for political reasons. On the other hand, there may be obvious reasons, such as President Putin convincing her that it was important.'' If, for example, it really happened, then it was real.” , a clear national security rationale, or reasons to believe it to be credible, which would make it more credible. ”
“Look, I think it's up to the vice president to explain the rationale for this,” Shapiro said. “But let's not forget, Donald Trump is literally an hourly man, not a month or a year. It's about changing your position. Depending on what room this guy is in, he creates different BS to suit the audience he's speaking to. So I think we have to do that. She has a policy agenda that she has developed that is important here in Pennsylvania and in other states. Other guys just go out and lie and change their minds every day.”
Shapiro also said Harris has changed “obviously after careful consideration.”
At the beginning of the interview, [relevant remarks begin around 14:55]Shapiro praised Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) for being transparent about why he spoke out on the abortion issue.
to follow Ian Hanchett's Twitter @Ian Hanchett
