Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Harris Spars With Fox Host: 'Not a Continuation' of Biden

"My presidency would not be a continuation of Joe Biden's presidency," Harris told interviewer Bret Baier, an anchor with Fox News. "And like every new president that comes to office, I will bring my life experiences and professional experiences" to the job. "I represent a new generation of leadership."

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In a combative interview with Fox News, Kamala Harris said in the most emphatic terms to date that, if she wins the election, she would pursue an independent presidency that would not be a repeat of President Joe Biden's nearly four years in office. Harris's declaration comes after she faced criticism over her recent interview on ABC's "The View," in which she could not identify any policy differences she's had with Biden since serving as his vice president.

The interview was possibly the most contentious of Harris's campaign: both she and Baier had something to prove. Fox News' conservative viewership wanted to see a hard-hitting interview while Harris needed to look strong and show the level of authority that Americans expect of a commander-in-chief.

She cited former Trump senior officials who've said he's unfit to serve as president. "I think the American people have concerns about Donald Trump," she said.

She said she wanted to move past "the decade in which we've been burned from the kind of rhetoric that Donald Trump" has used to "divide our country and have Americans literally point fingers at each other."

If Trump is so flawed, why do so many Americans support his candidacy, Baier asked. Does she believe voters are dumb?

"I've never said that," Harris said. Turning back to Trump, she said, "He's the one who tends to demean and belittle the American people."

She mentioned Trump's repeated mention of "the enemy within" that lurks within the U.S. and voiced concern that Trump would use the U.S. military to deal with such nebulous threats.

Sounds like the Vice President more than held her own in the most hostile "interview" I've ever seen in my 65 years watching presidential candidates face journalists.

Baier and Fox News wasn't fooling anyone by treating the sitting Vice President like she was a suspect facing Trump's own prosecutor before the 10s of millions of viewers sure to watch this encounter. No one should question whether Kamala has both the patience and strength to deal with overmatched stickmen trying to dominate her not unlike the way she dominated Trump to his face as she again reminded Baier and the Fox News audience of what former JCS Chairman Gen. Milley had to say about Trump being this nation's greatest danger. By all unbiased accounts, Harris acquitted herself quite well which probably perplexed Fox News viewers (Earth II residents) who'd been assured by Trump and all his mouthpieces that Harris was inarticulate, not intelligent and a very weak person.

Mission Accomplished in demolishing that canard.

#1 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 08:21 PM

Kamala bombed. Baier was polite and respectful. Kamala was evasive and hostile.

#2 | Posted by visitor_ at 2024-10-16 09:29 PM

I've only seen one clip so far and Harris was brutally awful.

I'll watch the whole interview soon.

#3 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-10-16 09:37 PM

Bret Baier's back is undergoing emergency double heel removal surgery as we speak... Kamala walked all over it.

She handed him his a ss and didn't even break a sweat.

There's going to be some terrific Harris ads coming from that interview.

She drew a real distinction between being a rational, feeling, intelligent, moral human being... and whatever Trump is.

#4 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-16 09:37 PM

USAToday

"Harris did with Fox News what Trump can't do anywhere: Handle tough questions

Trump, by comparison, has cancelled a planned CNBC interview and refused to follow Harris' lead and go on '60 Minutes.'

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris went into America's Den of Misinformation " Fox News " for a Wednesday night interview that demonstrated two things:

She has far more guts than her opponent, Donald Trump.
Fox News remains an arm of the Republican Party."

more

www.usatoday.com

Harris will also be doing a CNN Town Hall next week.

Trump will be Ed's Mini-Golf in Paduka.

#5 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-16 09:41 PM

She wants to turn the page from the last decade. Her words. Democrats held the White House for six of the last ten years and twelve of the last sixteen years. The rest was 'Buh Trump!' Democrats have got to be asking themselves if they made the right choice dumping Biden.

#6 | Posted by visitor_ at 2024-10-16 09:52 PM

USAToday...

Why does that sound familiar?

#7 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-16 09:52 PM

#6 | Posted by visitor_ | Flag: Reality...

#8 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-16 09:55 PM

@#5 ... "Harris did with Fox News what Trump can't do anywhere: Handle tough questions ...

Yes.

But in my view is that it is not just about what she did do.

It is also about what she did not do.

She did not go off into some odd other topic when a question was asked. She tried (even with the multiple interruptions of the host) to answer the questions asked of her.

And, quite important to me, she did not wander off into some odd area where she thinks incoherent babble is a valid response to a question.


OK, VP Harris and fmr Pres Trump were not face-to-face in this interview.

But, once again, VP Harris whipped fmr Pres tTump's ample arse with how she handled this interview's questions.



#9 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 09:57 PM

@#6 ... She wants to turn the page from the last decade. Her words. Democrats held the White House for six of the last ten years ...

So she seems to be a candidate for change.

That is a bad thing... why?

I mean, your alias seems to be so against the Biden era.

So I ask again, why why is VP Harris saying she wants to change a bad thing?


What of her proposals does your alias have issues with?

#10 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 10:01 PM

In The Belly Of The Beast: Kamala Harris Fights To Get A Word In During Inimical Inaugural Fox News Interview

Jumping into the belly of the beast at the conservative cable newser for the first time in her long career, Harris found herself being pilloried by Baier, especially over illegal immigration and border security. At the same time, having been roasted online by the MAGA base in anticipation of softball questions, "real journalist" (as the VP called him at one point) Baier barely let the VP get a word in during the opening part of the sit-down.

It wasn't a good look for Fox, and a gift to Harris who got to play tough in Trump's media backyard and lean into her rival's mental decline. Raising her voice several times, the VP once again went hard on her default position that Trump is fundamentally "unstable" and dangerous to have back in the Oval Office.

deadline.com

#11 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-10-16 10:03 PM

I liked the part where she asked Republicans to vote for her.... along with many other Republicans like Pence and Gen Milley, who pointed out the fact that Trump is a "Fascist" and a danger to the USA... and many of the rest of Trump's appointees who are voting for Harris.

#12 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-16 10:05 PM

@#11 ... Inimical ...

I learned a new word this evening.

Thank-you.


#13 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 10:11 PM

@#11 ... Baier barely let the VP get a word in during the opening part of the sit-down. ...

OK, so I am not the only person who noticed that.

imo, a journalist should allow the interviewee to speak, to learn the views of the interviewee.

Mr Baier, on the other hand, seemed to be focused upon not allowing VP Harris to speak.

And VP Harris seemed to have handled that situation admirably.

Staying on track with her answers and not meandering off into some odd alternative reality.


#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 10:19 PM

Democrats have got to be asking themselves if they made the right choice dumping Biden.

That would be the voice of Republicans lamenting Biden's choice, not Democrats. When have Democrats had hundreds of Republicans or former Republicans publicly back their presidential nominee like they have now with Harris? How many times have multiple GOP Vice Presidents spoken out publicly that the Party's nominee is thoroughly unfit for the Office he seeks? How many times have multiple Cabinet members and staff officials of the GOP candidate's former Administration come out for the Democratic nominee, stating that the President they used to work for has no business ever sitting in the Oval Office again?

And how many times have you seen a Democratic presidential nominee go into an openly hostile interview on Republican home base Fox News and when faced with an edited version of a clip meant to undercut the nominee's assertion that the GOP nominee has promised to use US military force against American citizens for simply not agreeing with said GOP nominee, then accurately argued the clip was edited, and then used the GOP nominee's own rhetorical device to confront her questioner by asserting multiple times "YOU and I know the truth is...." to which the GOP-aligned interviewer failed to disagree with even once?

Sure, we Dems are simply torn up that Biden is out and Killer Kamala took his place, bringing in $1 billion in less than 80 days. Can't you see how broken up we are as we watch her continually kick your nominee's - and now his Fox stickman's azzterisks over and over again?

#15 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 10:29 PM

"bringing in $1 billion in less than 80 days."

At least you're showing your true colors on money in politics.

Now, if you've never bitched like a 15 year old on her period like most of the left her about huge sums of money pouring into campaigns...then fine.

LOL

#16 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-16 10:34 PM

Now, if you've never bitched like a 15 year old on her period like most of the left her about huge sums of money pouring into campaigns...then fine.

Geebus Ebs, how long you been here? I'd love to see federal campaigns funded through the government. But that isn't the system we have today is it? If you want a candidate to have a chance to win, they have to be competitive in raising campaign money.

Wanting one thing that isn't, doesn't mean you can't welcome the facts of the system that is, like 70% of Harris' money has come from contributions of $200 or less. THAT'S what is most impressive - the numbers of contributors AND the amount of the total.

Life is seldom binary. Or at least mine isn't and neither is yours. You write about such things all the time.

#17 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 10:47 PM

imo, a journalist should allow the interviewee to speak, to learn the views of the interviewee.

Honestly I watched that and I saw a man that is used to controlling and berating women doing all he could to manipulate and control Harris. At the end I thought Harris handled herself outstandingly well.

As I changed channels I was left wondering if Bret abuses his wife.

Not kidding.
Not being snarky.
Just being honest.

#18 | Posted by YAV at 2024-10-16 10:50 PM

@#15 ... That would be the voice of Republicans lamenting Biden's choice, not Democrats. ...

Yup.

Especially in light of how well VP Harris handled the interrogation by Mr Baier.

The Republicans have got to wish that their candidate would stand up to such an interrogation and not go off into some weird swaying routine to the Village People's tune Y.M.C.A.


#19 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 10:50 PM

Yav,

Go watch Welker or Bash interview Vance and square it with what you just said.

#20 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-10-16 10:55 PM

"like 70% of Harris' money has come from contributions of $200 or less"

70% of the billion dollars? link?

#21 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-16 10:57 PM

@#20 .. Go watch Welker or Bash interview Vance and square it with what you just said. ...

The usual unsubstantiated and lame "whatabout" deflection attempt by that current alias.



#22 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 10:58 PM

The Republicans have got to wish that their candidate would stand up to such an interrogation...

Trump told Fox & Friends that he would prefer Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters, or Laura Ingraham to moderate any future debate, saying that Watters "was fantastic last night, what he said." "Jesse really got it. Jesse said that Trump won that debate. We won that debate by a lot. No, I wouldn't want Martha involved. But I would take some others, yeah," Trump said, arguing that Bret Baier and Martha McCallum aren't qualified to moderate.
Yep.

#23 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-10-16 11:03 PM

70% of the billion dollars?

That's 3.5 million donations out of a pool of ~49 million reported registered Dem voters. It's not out of the realm of possibility.

#24 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-10-16 11:12 PM

70% of the billion dollars? link?

My bad, it's 40% not 70%. I juxtaposed it with another stat in the article.

#25 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 11:14 PM

25

Where does that link claim that 70%...(wait..now it's 40%) of the $1 billion in the last 80 days were from contributions of $200 or less?

LOL

#26 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-16 11:20 PM

The usual unsubstantiated and lame "whatabout" deflection attempt by that current alias.

You know those Yes-No questions about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs or whether Trump won the 2020 election are simply unconscionable to Strawlighter.

#27 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 11:20 PM

#26

The information is from Open Secrets and only goes thru 9/20. That's what the article lists and that's what I noted.

President Joe Biden and then Vice President Kamala Harris have raised a staggering $285 million from such donors since April 2023, representing more than 40% of their fundraising, according to data from OpenSecrets.

#28 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 11:25 PM

Why talk about Harris when the real news is about Trump's 'owners' - three billionaires.

Altogether, just three billionaires " Musk, Adelson and Midwestern packaging magnate Richard Uihlein - donated roughly $220 million in a three-month period to groups backing [Trump's] candidacy.

Their staggering donations underscore the crucial role that a handful of billionaire megadonors are playing in Trump's efforts to edge past his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, as their race has intensified.

www.cnn.com

#29 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-16 11:35 PM

for FFS Tony...I could play gotcha with you all I want but it's boring. It's like it's a fair fight anyway.

I don't care who contributes to Harris's campaign. Is she better for the country than Trump? Yes.

Does that change if someone with significant cash decides to support her? nope.

Better is better.....the optics of someone with significant wealth who agrees with me doesn't change what I believe to be true.

But you've spent your life bitch and moaning about the money makes it hard for you to pretend you never cared either.

BTW, a lot of wealthy individuals and corporations were huge supporters of Obama. You were probably conveniently quiet over that as well.

There are no points for being a good hypocrite.

#30 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-16 11:42 PM

At the end I thought Harris handled herself outstandingly well.

I thought she did pretty well at the beginning, then dissembled towards the end.

She just didn't answer anything, its was one big Trump deflection.

She had a good line finally after so long about the Joe Biden question.

Harris: My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden's presidency. Like every new president, I will bring my life experiences, my professional experiences, and fresh and new ideas. I represent a new generation of leadership.

Immigration: she had a good start, but then Bretts response with the "BILL" made her Deflect to Trump
Economy: Deflect to Trump

Then this response was a problem.

Brett: 79% of Americans think the country is going the wrong way

Harris: "But Trump has been running for office for 10 years. You and I both know what I'm talking about ...

Brett: I actually don't. What are you talking about?

Everything was Deflect to Trump. She actually looked angry at one point describing him.

#31 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-10-16 11:45 PM

www.msn.com

"Billionaires!!! the devil!!!!"

-Tony

#32 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-16 11:46 PM

@#28 ... The information is from Open Secrets ...

The graphic in that link ("Total from Small Donor Donations, Current Candidates Only") was interesting.


... Why talk about Harris when the real news is about Trump's 'owners' - three billionaires. ...

Yup.

In addition to the link you provide, there's this...

Here's Just How Massive Elon Musk's $75 Million Trump Donation Is
www.wired.com

... Elon Musk isn't the only Silicon Valley billionaire to line up behind Donald Trump's presidential campaign. See how his donations, which total $75 million, make everyone else look tiny in comparison. ...

So, having the uber-wealthy pay less taxes, and working people pay more taxes, seems to be A Big Thing for some billionaires.


#33 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 11:46 PM

@#31 ... Everything was Deflect to Trump. She actually looked angry at one point describing him. ...

So, she highlighted the differences between her and fmr Pres Trump?

And you would not look angry at a person who wants to destroy Democracy in the Country?

I mean really.


#34 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 11:49 PM

@#32 ... "Billionaires!!! the devil!!!!" ...

I do not agree.

I just think that some billionaires (thank-you Citizens United) have an outsized affect upon the politics on the Country.

I like the "one vote" concept.

But since Citizens United, that one-vote concept seems to have been replaced with a one-dollar concept.


For example, why should an immigrant, Mr Musk, have such a outsized sway with a presidential candidate upon the affairs of the Country?

I mean, fmr Pres Trump constantly rails against immigrants, but he also seems to have not a concern about dozens of millions of dollars Mr Musk throws his way.


#35 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-16 11:56 PM

Let me guess

Followers of Shitler said she did HORRIBLE

Followers of Harris said she did AWESOME

#36 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-16 11:57 PM

"three billionaires. ...

Yup."

Yup! Because when a billionaire contributes to your campaign, you are owned by them

Woops!

LOL

#37 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-16 11:57 PM

"I do not agree."

Of course not. Your alias is a total hypocrite.

"I just think that some billionaires..."

LOL...again, of course. Your alias is a total hypocrite.

you know what's in the hearts and minds of every billionaire.

You guys crack me up.

#38 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 12:00 AM

Trump told Fox & Friends that he would prefer Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters, or Laura Ingraham to moderate any future debate, saying that Watters "was fantastic last night, what he said." "Jesse really got it. Jesse said that Trump won that debate. We won that debate by a lot. No, I wouldn't want Martha involved. But I would take some others, yeah," Trump said, arguing that Bret Baier and Martha McCallum aren't qualified to moderate.
Yep.
#23 | Posted by REDIAL

The thing is if Trump did do an interview with Baier, Baier would never go after Trump the way he went after Harris, repeatedly interrupting her, etc. No one on Fox would. And if someone did dare to treat Trump like that, he wouldn't stand for it. He'd get up and walk out after the first five minutes.

#39 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-10-17 12:01 AM

@#36

Yeah, I wouldn't go with AWESOME.

But she did well.

She stayed on topic and did not meander off into some weird dot-weaving babbling in her answers.

That aspect, alone, is a huge improvement contrasting the interviews fmr Pres Trump has given.



#40 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-17 12:02 AM

"I like the "one vote" concept."

Perhaps you could explain why my vote for president has actually mattered in only 1 of the 10 elections I have voted in.

AHHHH "one vote" concept, I get it now

#41 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-17 12:03 AM

Fox News political analyst Brit Hume on VP Harris:

"She was combative and energetic and certainly landed some blows on Donald Trump"

x.com

#42 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-10-17 12:04 AM

-Perhaps you could explain why my vote for president has actually mattered in only 1 of the 10 elections I have voted in.

Oh come on.....your vote probably mattered in 0 elections. How is it possible it mattered even once?

#43 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 12:09 AM

@#41 ... Perhaps you could explain why my vote for president has actually mattered ...

That, basically, was the point I was trying to convey in my #35 comment.

That "one-dollar" seems to have more gravity in elections than "one vote."

So, how is that that "one-dollar" negated?

Get your butt off the sofa, and get out there to vote.

An aside...

I have had discussions with some younger voters (early 20's).

I have told them all to get their butts into the voting booth and cast their vote.

One asked me, but what if I do not like the candidate you like?

I told her to get out there and vote. That is the important aspect of what I am saying.

The resulting expression on her face was priceless for me.

#44 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-17 12:22 AM

The thing is if Trump did do an interview with Baier, Baier would never go after Trump the way he went after Harris

Probably not (disclaimer: I know nothing about Baier), but Lewzer would never take the chance.

#45 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-10-17 12:24 AM

"Get your butt off the sofa, and get out there to vote."

Why?

My state will elect Harris, my state will elect Kim, my district will elect Conaway.

My vote is pointless

#46 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-17 12:41 AM

Wanting one thing that isn't, doesn't mean you can't welcome the facts of the system that is, like 70% of Harris' money has come from contributions of $200 or less. THAT'S what is most impressive - the numbers of contributors AND the amount of the total.

#17 | Posted by tonyroma

And Trump has largely been financed by a handful of billionaires.

Small donations have largely gone to pay lawyers defending him against dozens of felonies.

#47 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-10-17 12:58 AM

The thing is if Trump did do an interview with Baier, Baier would never go after Trump the way he went after Harris

No, he wouldn't.

I just streamed the interview. He was rude.

When you interview someone you allow them to answer the questions without interrupting every few seconds.

#48 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-10-17 02:55 AM

Harris didn't take his BS ...

#49 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-10-17 02:56 AM

Just started watching this.

Less than two minutes in and it's already a biased pile of dinosaur s&^%.

Mr Botox is a pathetic POS.

#50 | Posted by jpw at 2024-10-17 03:44 AM

This is awful.

"If he's so bad, why is 50% of the country supporting him?"

That's a question beneath the dignity of any serious person.

#51 | Posted by jpw at 2024-10-17 04:02 AM

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