Since launching her campaign in July, Harris has reportedly tried to distance herself from President Joe Biden and present her presidency as a “new page.” However, her recent interview with Fox News host Bret Baier revealed her struggle to explain how her presidency would move the country “forward” despite her already being in a position of power.
During the interview, Baier pushed Harris to explain her campaign slogan “A New Way Forward” and her claim that “it’s time to turn the page.” However, Harris initially responded by simply stating that she was moving on from the “last decade” of former President Donald Trump’s “rhetoric.”
Baier then pointed out that despite Harris’ claim of wanting to turn the page from the past four years, the majority of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track.
He also reminded her that she has been a part of the current administration for three and a half years as the Vice President, and questioned why the country is still on the wrong track if she is indeed turning the page. Harris hesitated and stumbled over her words before trying to deflect the question by bringing up Trump and his alleged faults.
“More than 70% of people tell the country is on the wrong track. They say the country is on the wrong track. If it’s on the wrong track, that track follows three and a half years of you being vice president and President Biden being president. That is what they’re saying, 79% of them. Why are they saying that? If you are turning the page, you’ve been in office for three and a half years,” Baier pushed.
“And Donald Trump has been running for office since — ” Harris began before Baier interrupted and reminded her that she has been the person holding the office.
Caught off guard by Baier’s direct questioning, Harris attempted to deflect once again by bringing up Trump and the negative opinions some Republicans have had of him. She continued to list off criticisms of Trump, but Baier interrupted and asked for clarification on her previous statement.
“I actually don’t. What are you talking about?” Baier asked.
Harris then claimed that Baier knew exactly what she was referring to, but he pressed her for a specific answer, stating, “C’mon, you and I both know what I’m talking about.”
Harris continued to struggle to provide a concrete explanation, further proving her lack of a clear message and plan for moving the country in a new direction. This is not the first time Harris has failed to differentiate herself from the Biden administration.
During an interview on “The View,” she was asked if she would have done anything differently over the past four years from the Biden administration, to which she responded, “not a thing.” This lack of differentiation could be a major downfall for Harris as she tries to appeal to swing voters.
Despite her attempts to appeal to various voting blocs, polls and political pundits have pointed out Harris’ declining support among key Democratic voting blocs in major swing states. CNN’s Ron Brownstein criticized her actions as “too transparent and calculated,” cautioning that she could lose the 2024 race.
It is clear that Harris’ attempts to distance herself from the current administration and present herself as a new leader are lacking substance and are not resonating with voters. Her performance during the Fox News interview only further solidifies the doubts and concerns about her as a potential leader.