Harris hugs Biden record in high-stakes CNN interview

• Along the way, she occupied the centrist Democratic position that Biden vacated when he decided to drop out.
• Harris praised Biden, saying he "has the intelligence, the judgment and the commitment and the disposition to serve the American people" in his final months in office.
• Harris said she has "no regrets" for publicly defending Biden after the debate that derailed his campaign.

With Gov. Tim Walz sitting deferentially by her side, Harris brushed off CNN's Dana Bash on a question about former President Trump's questioning of Harris' racial identity.

• "Same old tired playbook, next question please."

Walz brushed back a question of his own, dodging Bash's question about his prior incorrect or misleading claims and citing GOP attacks on his family and pets.

• "I've been very public... I certainly own my mistakes when I make 'em. ... I spoke about our infertility issues because it's hell ... I think people know who I am. ... I won't apologize for speaking passionately."

The bottom line: Harris revealed the moment she learned she'd become the possible nominee.

• "It was a Sunday ... and the phone rang, and it was Joe Biden. ... I asked him, 'Are you sure?,' and he said yes."

Go deeper: Walz defends misstatements as "candid" words during CNN interview