‘I want to see her challenged’ - swing voters unconvinced by Harris interview

Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, recently participated in her first interview since being nominated. This interview was a chance for her to introduce herself and share her campaign's message with Americans who are still unfamiliar with her and her beliefs. During the CNN interview, which took place on Thursday, Harris defended her record in the White House and discussed her experiences since she first ran for president in 2019. Alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris has seen a rise in enthusiasm from Democratic supporters in recent weeks. However, the campaign is aware that winning over undecided voters is crucial for success in the upcoming November election. A significant portion of these undecided voters consists of young men, a demographic that Republican candidate Donald Trump has been actively courting through various media appearances on popular podcasts that attract younger audiences. Given the importance of securing their votes, three young men shared their thoughts on Harris's interview. Rohan Vijayan, a 29-year-old software engineer from Pennsylvania, expressed that he has supported Democrats in the past but remains undecided for the 2024 election. He noted that Harris is articulate, which he views as an improvement compared to the previous candidates, Trump and Biden. However, he felt that the interview did not adequately address his concerns regarding her policy proposals and whether she could effectively implement them. Rohan questioned why, after serving as Vice President for several years, Harris had not pursued these initiatives earlier. He stated that the interview did not change his perspective on how he would vote, emphasizing his desire to see her challenged in a press conference or debate setting, where she would have to respond to tough questions without relying on a teleprompter or rehearsed answers. He described the interview as somewhat sheltered and expressed a need to see her under pressure. Rohan also found Walz to be personable and felt that he brought a sense of authenticity that was lacking in Harris's presentation. Jeremy Peterson, a 26-year-old teacher from Utah, who voted for the Green Party in the last election, felt that Harris's message lacked conviction. He observed that her responses were often vague, which he understood to some extent, as the campaign may be trying to focus on contrasting themselves with Trump rather than outlining specific policies. However, he expressed frustration with her statement that her values had not changed, but her policies had. Jeremy argued that if her values truly aligned with clean energy, she should still support a ban on fracking. When discussing the Israel and Gaza situation, he noted that Harris indicated a desire to maintain the Biden administration's policy, which he believes has failed both Israelis and Palestinians. He felt that this approach seemed more about avoiding alienating voters than genuinely working towards a solution. Jeremy concluded that he had not heard enough from Harris to persuade him to support her, as it felt like she was trying to present herself as different from Biden while ultimately offering a continuation of the same policies. Edward Greene, a 22-year-old student from New Hampshire, who did not vote in the last election, expressed his confusion since his preferred candidate, Robert Kennedy Jr. , has endorsed Trump. He admitted that he was not particularly impressed with the interview, feeling that it did not reveal much about Harris's plans or character. Edward recognized that this is often the nature of political campaigns, where candidates tend to avoid specific details to protect themselves from criticism. He appreciated Harris's discussion of her economic reform plans and the concept of an opportunity economy, but he did not find the interview compelling or the questions challenging enough. Edward mentioned that one of the reasons people were excited about Harris taking over the ticket was the hope that she would bring more energy to the Democratic campaign, especially after Biden's struggles in unscripted situations. However, due to the lack of live interviews and opportunities for her to answer tough questions, he still harbors concerns about their overall competency. In summary, these three young men remain uncertain about Kamala Harris and her campaign, expressing a desire for more clarity and engagement before making their voting decisions.