Vice President Kamala Harris recently sat down for her first solo interview since securing the Democratic nomination, but the outcome did not go as smoothly as some may have hoped.
The interview, conducted by ABC News reporter Brian Taff and aired on ABC 6, raised concerns about the network’s editorial decisions, particularly in how Harris’ responses were presented to viewers.
During the short interview, Harris was asked to provide specific actions she would take to lower costs for Americans, a pressing issue as inflation continues to impact households across the country.
However, instead of offering a clear, concise response, Harris veered off-topic, delivering what has been described as a “word salad” about the middle class.
This segment, which took up a significant portion of the interview, seemed disconnected from the question at hand.
This exchange, which could be viewed as a key moment in the interview, was notably absent from the version aired on ABC 6.
According to Tom Elliott, the founder of Grabien, a media service that archives news coverage, the network made a substantial edit to the interview before broadcasting it.
Elliott pointed out that the portion where Harris struggled to provide a coherent answer was completely cut from the televised version.
Instead of airing the original response, ABC 6 reportedly spliced in a different part of the interview.
In the recorded broadcast, Taff’s question about lowering costs is still heard, but Harris’ actual response is replaced with a later, more polished segment.
This editorial decision has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from media observers.
Elliott and others have highlighted the difference between standard editing for brevity and what happened in this case.
Maybe someone has already mentioned this, but the rambling answer Kamala Harris gave last night on inflation is not what @6abc [1] actually aired. Instead they edited her response so that it went straight to her “policies.” Compare/contrast the two clips below pic.twitter.com/WYAytYmx9i [2]
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 14, 2024 [3]
It is common for long interviews to be condensed for news broadcasts, with key points emphasized.
However, the decision to remove Harris’ original, stumbling answer entirely and replace it with a different response has been seen as an effort to make the vice president appear more prepared than she was in reality.
“This wasn’t just cutting for time,” said one media analyst, referring to the decision to edit the interview. “It was a deliberate choice to omit an uncomfortable moment.”
The edited version of the interview aired on ABC 6, an affiliate owned by ABC News’ parent company.
This has led to questions about the network’s impartiality and the lengths to which they may go to present Harris in a more favorable light as she campaigns for the presidency.
Critics argue that ABC 6’s actions cross the line from journalism into activism.
The omission of Harris’ real answer could be seen as misleading the public about her ability to address key issues like inflation. “What Taff and his network did is not journalism,” one observer noted. “It’s activism, and voters deserve to see the full picture.”
The full, unedited interview, including the segment where Harris struggled to answer the question, remains available on ABC 6’s website for those interested in comparing the two versions.
However, for viewers who only saw the televised version, the critical exchange was missing, raising questions about transparency and fairness in media coverage during an election season.
The decision to edit Harris’ response is part of a broader debate about media bias and how political figures are portrayed in the press.
As Harris continues her campaign, such incidents will likely remain a focal point for those scrutinizing her leadership abilities and the media’s role in shaping public perception.
Original article below:
Kamala Harris faced criticism [4] on Friday for a response during an interview that many felt did not address a question about her economic policies and plans to reduce prices for Americans.
In her first solo sit-down television interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris was asked by Philadelphia’s 6 ABC anchor Brian Taff about what “specific” plans she has to bring down prices for Americans.
“Well, I’ll start with this. I grew up a middle-class kid,” Harris began. “My mother raised my sister and me. She worked very hard. She was able to finally save up enough money to buy our first house when I was a teenager.
“I grew up in a community of hard-working people, you know, construction workers and nurses and teachers. And I try to explain to some people who may not have had the same experience. You know, a lot of people will relate to this.
“You know, I grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn,” she continued. “And I was raised to believe and to know that all people deserve dignity, and that we as Americans have a beautiful character. You know, we have ambitions and aspirations and dreams, but not everyone necessarily has access to the resources that can help them fuel those dreams and ambitions.
“So when I talk about building an opportunity economy, it is very much with the mind of investing in the ambitions and aspirations and the incredible work ethic of the American people and creating opportunity for people, for example, to start a small business.”
Oh my goodness this is an absolute train wreck.
Reporter: What are your specific plans to bring down prices?
Kamala: “I grew up a middle class kid… I grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn. Ya know?”pic.twitter.com/lhOdWoygy2 [5]
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 13, 2024 [6]
After discussing her upbringing, Harris mentioned proposals to give start-up businesses a “$50,000 tax deduction” and new home buyers a “$25,000 down payment assistance.”
“These are some examples of what I mean when I talk about an opportunity economy, and a lot of it has to do with just the community I was raised in and the people that I admire who work hard, you know, and deserve to have, you know, their dreams fulfilled because they’re prepared to work for it,” Harris added.
BREAKING: New @KamalaHarris [7] interview just dropped and she BOMBED pic.twitter.com/0tmaXffq1Z [8]
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 14, 2024 [9]
Despite the extended response, critics noted that she did not specifically answer Taff’s question about lowering prices.
Reactions on social media were swift. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung commented, “This is not a parody. This is actual real life… the real @KamalaHarris. And she’s a complete joke.”
This is not a parody. This is actual real life… the real @KamalaHarris [7].
And she’s a complete joke. https://t.co/4qL3DzB2iF [10]
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) September 13, 2024 [11]
National Review senior writer Noah Rothman posted, “It takes some species of talent to filibuster for 90 straight seconds while saying nothing [at] all of value.”
It takes some species of talent to filibuster for 90 straight seconds while saying nothing of all of value. https://t.co/CAdmRvDVG4 [12]
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 13, 2024 [13]
Versus Media podcast host Stephen L. Miller pointed out, “She repeated this canned rehearsed line twice in the debate.”
She repeated this canned rehearsed line twice in the debate. https://t.co/cJdXsPSP7d [14]
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 13, 2024 [15]
Outkick’s David Hookstead wrote, “Ah, yes, I often find myself thinking who has a nice lawn when discussing plans to deal with inflation. We’re doomed if Kamala wins.”
Ah, yes, I often find myself thinking who has a nice lawn when discussing plans to deal with inflation.
We’re doomed if Kamala wins. https://t.co/De8vvfTGlP [16]
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) September 13, 2024 [17]
This incident mirrors a similar moment during the ABC News debate when Harris was asked by moderator David Muir whether Americans are economically “better off than they were four years ago.”
MUIR: “Do you believe that Americans are better off than they were four years ago.”
KAMALA: “I was raised as a middle class kid…” pic.twitter.com/ilmYxqXdnh [18]
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 11, 2024 [19]
“So I was raised as a middle-class kid,” Harris responded at the debate. “And I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America. I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people, and that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy.”
She proceeded to outline the same proposals without directly answering whether Americans are better off now than they were four years ago.
The vice president’s responses have sparked discussions about her communication on economic issues.
With rising prices and inflation affecting many Americans, voters are seeking concrete plans from leaders to address these challenges.
As the election approaches, economic policy remains a critical topic. Harris’s emphasis on her background and general proposals has led to scrutiny from those looking for specific strategies to combat economic concerns.
You need to watch the full 11 minute local news interview Kamala did tonight. This is her first solo interview since she became the nominee on July 21st & it’s an unmitigated disaster. This person does not have the ability to be president. Watch: pic.twitter.com/9adKPvtiPs [20]
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 14, 2024 [21]