10 burning questions for Kamala Harris
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Americans will get to see on Thursday whether Kamala Harris — with Gov. Tim Walz by her side — is ready to handle the media scrutiny as a presidential nominee that has at times haunted her as vice president.
Why it matters: Harris became the nominee without facing an in-depth interview or winning a single primary vote, while at the top of the ticket.
This will be the first time a reporter — in this case, CNN's Dana Bash — has the chance to interview Harris since President Biden dropped out of the race.
- The central question for Harris in the coming days: Can you explain the areas in which you differ from Biden on policy and what you've done as VP to press your case for those views?
Below are 10 follow-up questions — five on domestic politics and five on foreign policy — from our conversations within the Axios politics team.
Domestic policy:
- Price gouging: Could you define "price gouging" for the American public? What are the thresholds for your administration to take action?
- Taxes: When you say only the wealthy will see their taxes increase, how high should they go? And is your $400,000 annual income cutoff for households or individuals?
- Immigration: What changed for you to shift from calling a border wall "un-American" in 2018 to now saying you'd sign a bill that ensures more of the wall is built?
- Inflation: What was the inflation rate when you took office? And does your administration bear any responsibility for the massive increase in prices?
- Supreme Court reform: Will you ask any Supreme Court justices appointed by Democrats to resign after 18 years? (Justice Sonia Sotomayor hits the 18-year mark in 2027.)
Foreign policy:
- Defending Taiwan from China: Do you agree with Biden that the United States is prepared to defend Taiwan if China invades?
- North Korea: What's your long-term solution to North Korea's ballistic missile proliferation and its nuclear capability?
- Defense spending: Are NATO countries spending enough on their defense budgets? (Even Canada?)
- Meeting with foreign strongmen: At your first G20 as president, will you meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin? How about Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman?
- Russia/Ukraine: Do you support Ukraine's incursion into Russia? If so, why does the administration still have restrictions on Ukraine using long-term ballistic missiles to strike inside Russia?
