By Christopher Peeks August 31, 2024
Watching Vice President Kamala Harris give her first sit-down interview since Joe Biden passed the torch on July 21st hearkened me to a few from the past. Americans have viewed some stellar performances over the last couple of decades. Like cream rising to the top, some critical, memorable one-on-ones stick out. Kamala's question and answer will remain with voters for some time.
The Nixon/Frost tapes are the most dynamic. Nixon, explaining the presidency on a level that the average man will understand, describes the machinery behind the scenes. Giving us insight into the power this office holds and what one is capable of doing to maintain that grip. Nixon's reply to Frost on a chief executive's criminal liability, "is that when the president does something, it's not illegal," is the most monumental statement made by a former POTUS regarding the office.
About last night's interview, her sit down with Dana Bash may not go down in history as Gary Condit's cataclysmic disaster. Still, it has to rank with Ted Kennedy's debacle for those unfamiliar. Although later exonerated, Condit, a California Congressman at the time suspected in the murder of a female intern he allegedly had an affair with, came off looking even more guilty after his prime-time interview. The aire to Camelot, Teddy Kennedy, enjoyed a 59% to 26% polling lead in his insurgent bid to unseat incumbent President Jimmy Carter at the outset of the 1980 race. Until Roger Mudd sent his campaign spiraling down like Kennedy did when he drove his car off the bridge and into the murky waters surrounding Chappaquiddick Island; talk about an epic fail. That went about as badly as it could have gone.
The first warning sign of the impending doom sounded alarms when she brought Tim Waltz. Why would a presidential nominee bring their running mate to an interview? Insecurity. Harris's decision to share the stage with him raised questions about her confidence. The entire question and answer lasted 27 minutes, and when you figured Waltz talked a couple of them and Bash half of the time, then Kamala only spoke for about 12 minutes—that 12 Minutes lasted a lifetime.
Like throwing good money after bad, Harris stuck her foot in her mouth time and time again. The Vice President's failure to articulate a single strategy, particularly the crucial issue of reducing inflation, which she intended to implement on day one, has puzzled viewers. Kamala unequivocally defended price gouging while appearing confused when confronted about her previous position on "fracking," resembling a deer caught in headlights." She passionately discussed the necessity of altering the trajectory the country has been following over the past decade and, at the same time, overlooked the fact that her administration has been in power for almost four years and failed to acknowledge that ten years ago, Barack Obama served in the Oval Office. By the way, Harris fully embraced Bideneconomics as well. She said everything, not too. A total derailment best describes her interview.
Kamala Harris got exposed last night. She gets rattled. She can't think on her feet. Can you imagine the look on her face if, sitting in the opposite chair, she stared into the eyes of Vladimir Putin? Well, how about Kim Jong-Un? Our enemies are licking their chops. I bet China invades Taiwan the first day if she gets into office, and while they're at it, I wager they are taking Hawaii, too.
No wonder the Vice President has not given an interview since President Biden hand-picked her as his successor. If she does win, tune in for a hearty word salad whenever she speaks. Also, make sure to catch every Saturday Night Live. An endless supply of material will be available to the show's writers. Her presidency will rival Gerald Ford's for the top comedic Chief Executive. The thought of a Harris Presidency is hilarious unless, of course, you are an American.
Christopher Peeks
Reporter and columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
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