ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - For the first time since the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had their first interview as major presidential candidates, speaking with Dana Bash on CNN Thursday night.
The interview mostly focused on policy, with Harris seeking to show voters. that she had adopted more moderate positions. Among her changed stances included her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, which were key topics when she ran for president back in 2019.
Michael Kelley and Braxton Payne joined Total Information A.M. Friday to discuss their immediate thoughts of the interview.
"The joint interview (Thursday) night was something that was refreshing," said Payne. "She clarified a lot of her policy positions, but she didn't take the bait from Dana Bash when Donald Trump said 'you had just turned black'. She just did not take the bait. I think she wanted to focus on her DNC speech, which focused on policy and the issues."
Kelley, channeling his inner-John Hancock, thought the speech was fine and his biggest takeaway was that Harris has shifted her stances from left-center to more moderate policies.
"I thought she did a fabulous job, but I understand where the critiques are going to come," said Kelley. "At the same time, what people saw (Thursday) night was an adult answering questions. When Donald Trump sits down, he doesn't discuss policies, he discusses grievances and arguments."
"I think that the biggest contrast Kamala Harris is going to continue to push against Donald Trump is 'hey I want to move on from the last 10 years that you have been part of, but you still want to make it about yourself'."