During a much-anticipated televised interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, presidential candidate Kamala Harris was taken to task over her past calls for a ban on fracking. On the debate stage during the 2020 presidential primary, Kamala had expressed support for banning the practice and emphasized its impact on public lands.
Kamala stated on the debate stage, “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking, and starting with what we can do on day one around public lands. There has to be legislation. Yes. This is something I’ve taken in California. I have a history of working on this issue … We just have to acknowledge that the residual impact of fracking is enormous in terms of the impact on the health and safety of communities.
When confronted with her past statements by Dana Bash, Kamala claimed she had never pledged to ban fracking. I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020. That I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking.
Bash then read out Kamala’s past statements about a fracking ban and questioned why she changed her mind. It changed in that campaign?” Bash asked.
CNN REPORTER: You said you supported banning fracking. Did it change.
Kamala: In 2020, I made clear where I stand. We are in 2024. I kept my word.
REPORTER: Why did you change your position.
Kamala: Let’s be clear. My values have not changed.
Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 30, 2024.
Harris explained that her stance on the issue had remained consistent throughout her political career. In 2020, I made very clear where I stand,” she said. We are in 2024 and I have not changed that position nor will I going forward. I kept my word and I will keep my word.
When asked by Bash about the reason behind changing her stance during the 2020 campaign, Harris insisted that her values had not changed and emphasized the importance of taking climate change seriously. Let’s be clear: My values have not changed,” she said. I believe it is very important we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of the climate. To do that, we can do what we have accomplished thus far.
Harris then cited the Inflation Reduction Act as an example of her stance on the issue, highlighting efforts taken under her leadership to address the challenges posed by climate change and promote a cleaner, more sustainable future for all Americans.