Kamala pledges strong support for Israel and enforce migration laws

Democratic nominee proposed a diverse cabinet, dismissed Trump’s heritage claim and emphasised work needed to win

WASHINGTON:

In her first major interview since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris promised a stronger approach to US southern border migration and confirmed she would not withhold arms from Israel. The interview, conducted by CNN's Dana Bash, allowed Harris to clarify her positions ahead of the November 5th Election Day.

Harris pledged to tighten US migration laws, affirming that those crossing the border illegally should face consequences. She also reaffirmed her support for Israel while pushing for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, opposing suggestions to stop arms shipments to the country.

Harris, who became the Democratic nominee last month, has seen a surge in polls and fundraising. During the interview, she defended her and President Joe Biden’s handling of inflation, noting the challenging economic circumstances they inherited due to the pandemic. While she acknowledged prices remain high, she highlighted efforts to reduce them.

Since running for president in 2020, Harris has moderated her stance on some issues, such as migration and fracking, now opposing a ban on the latter due to its economic significance in key swing states like Pennsylvania. However, she maintained that her core values have not shifted.

Harris, accompanied by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, discussed the possibility of including a Republican in her cabinet, advocating for diverse opinions when making crucial decisions. When questioned about Trump’s remark doubting her Black heritage, she dismissed it, calling it a "tired playbook."

Although Harris has faced criticism for avoiding interviews since Biden’s endorsement of her, this appearance sought to demonstrate her capability in handling spontaneous situations. She addressed a crowd in Georgia, emphasising the hard work ahead to defeat Trump, confident in securing another Democratic victory in the state.