In First Major TV Interview, Kamala Harris Says US Voters Ready To 'Turn The Page' On Donald Trump | Watch

In the first major television interview of her presidential campaign, US Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday that voters are ready for “a new way forward” and to “turn the page” on divisions she blames on her rival, Donald Trump.

“First and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to strengthen and support the middle class,” she said while sitting alongside with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward.”

‘Turn the page’

“Sadly in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has really been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, really dividing our nation,” the Democrat told CNN. “And I think people are ready to turn the page on that.”

In an interview with CNN, Harris addressed criticism about avoiding tough situations and used the opportunity to shape her campaign message ahead of the Sept. 10 debate with Trump. The interview also carries risks as her team aims to maintain momentum after Joe Biden’s departure and last week’s Democratic National Convention.

Harris was asked about changes in her policies over the years, specifically her reversals on fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. “I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,” Harris replied.

Harris also brushed off Trump’s questioning of her racial identity after the former president said she “happened to turn Black.” Harris, who is of Black and South Asian heritage, said it was the “same old, tired playbook.” She also said she’d name a Republican to serve in her Cabinet if she were elected, though she didn’t have a name in mind.

In-depth interview

Harris hasn’t yet done an in-depth interview since she became her party’s standard bearer five weeks ago, though she did sit for several while she was still Biden’s running mate. Harris campaign officials believe that in order to win the state over Trump in November, she must make inroads in GOP strongholds across the state.

Democrats’ enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to polling from Gallup. About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55% in March, according to The Associated Press. Republicans’ enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period, and about two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting.

(With agency inputs)