Editors' note: After this article was published, CNN announced Vice President Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, had agreed to an interview with Dana Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent and anchor, this coming Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to agree to her first interview since becoming the Democratic candidate for president. It has been five weeks since Joe Biden departed from the race and endorsed Ms. Harris as his replacement. Still, the Democratic National Convention just concluded last Thursday.
For what it’s worth, I understand why Ms. Harris has yet to grant an interview. Her candidacy has enjoyed positive media coverage, and her poll numbers have continued to rise. Earlier this month, though, Ms. Harris said she would do an interview before September. And even if she misses that deadline, I’m sure she will eventually sit down to answer some questions with different news outlets.
My question: Why not America Media? Hey, we’ve interviewed vice presidents before.
I know it probably won’t happen, but if I were doing the interview, I would start with more biographical questions. Like: “What is it like having parents from different countries? Do you find you identify with one culture over another?” I find her bicultural background fascinating because, well, I am also bicultural.
Like myself, she also moved to a different country when she was young. My family moved to the United States from the Caribbean when I was in elementary school. Her mother took a job as a researcher at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, when she was 12, and I would love to hear about that.
While she is often described as being from Oakland, she’s actually from Berkeley, near the University of California—where her parents earned their doctorates. I used to live in Berkeley myself, so I would definitely ask about that! (“When was the last time you went to Moe’s Books? It’s a treasure.”) And what is it like growing up with two parents with doctorates? Nice to have experts around when you’re doing homework, no doubt. As a joke I might ask: “So, who’s your favorite Catholic president?”
If Ms. Harris would be open to it, I would want to hear more about other parts of her life, like her parents’ divorce and her mother dying of cancer. Those were surely difficult moments, and many Americans would sympathize. Sometimes human beings feel nearest to each other when we identify with another’s suffering. And Americans who affiliate with the major political parties do seem so far apart from each other right now.
Eventually, though, I would have to ask policy questions, especially about issues of interest to Catholics, and it could get a little uncomfortable.
Immigration: When compared to the Republican platform, the Democratic platform offers a more robust approach to immigration. The issue often ranks near the top of polls measuring voter concerns, and it has received much attention from the U.S. bishops over the years. Can you tell our audience how you would address this issue as president? How does your experience addressing root causes of migration as vice president inform your outlook?
Education: According to the party platform, Democrats “oppose the use of private-school vouchers, tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarships, and other schemes that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from public education. Public tax dollars should never be used to discriminate.” Private schools, including Catholic ones, have a long history of serving marginalized children in this country. Can you help me understand why your party doesn’t believe they deserve support?
Environment: You have made care for the environment a priority throughout your career—from California to Washington, D.C. It has become a more important issue to Catholics, thanks to Pope Francis. In the past, for example, you took a stand against fracking—a controversial technique for extracting oil and natural gas from the earth. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, fracking can lead to increased seismic activity as well as water contamination. Yet your campaign reports that you have changed your position. Can you tell us more about that?
Death penalty: The Catholic Church has taken a definitive stance against the death penalty. For the first time in many years, opposition to the death penalty is not mentioned on your party’s platform. You have opposed it in the past. Where do you stand today?
Abortion: You have consistently advocated for abortion rights in your career. You have said that as president, you would support legislation to make abortion a national right, and that you oppose any restrictions to legal abortion. The views of the Catholic Church are well known: It opposes direct abortion in every instance. The Republicans, to the dismay of many pro-life advocates, have watered down their previous pro-life stance. In your view, is there any room for compromise? How can we find common ground?
Israel and Gaza: It’s been almost 11 months since Hamas’s deadly attack in Israel on Oct. 7. Israel responded aggressively; The Associated Press reports that 40,000 people have died in Gaza in the aftermath of the attack. Young people have protested U.S. involvement on college campuses across the country, including Catholic universities. President Biden’s efforts to bring about peace have yet to take hold. Do you believe the conflict will be resolved while you are still the vice president? If it isn’t, what actions would you take to resolve the conflict as president?
Religious liberty: Some Catholics question your respect for religious liberty. They point to your questioning of Brian Buescher’s membership in the Knights of Columbus during his confirmation hearings to be a U.S. District Court judge in Nebraska. You asked him: “Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman’s right to choose when you joined the organization?” Do you believe adherence to Catholic moral teaching is disqualifying for certain positions in the government?
I find a lot to like about Ms. Harris. I understand why so many are rejoicing in her candidacy. Still, as a Catholic voter, I have a lot of questions. I hope she will answer them in the weeks to come.
