CNN Panel Critiques Kamala Harris for Lack of Clear Vision After PA Town Hall: ‘Word Salad City’

Vice President Kamala Harris faced sharp criticism following her appearance at CNN’s town hall on Wednesday, where she engaged with Pennsylvania swing voters

The hour-long event, which featured questions from undecided voters, left many viewers unimpressed by Harris’ lengthy and evasive responses.

CNN journalists and political pundits were quick to offer mixed reviews of her performance.

CNN anchor Dana Bash remarked that many viewers felt Harris may have missed an opportunity to “close the deal” with potential voters.

Despite this, Bash noted that any public engagement with voters was still viewed as a positive for the campaign.

David Axelrod, a prominent Democratic strategist and former adviser to Barack Obama, expressed concerns about Harris’ communication style, labeling it “Word Salad City” due to her tendency to give roundabout answers.

Axelrod specifically pointed to her response on U.S. policy toward Israel as an example. When pressed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper on whether she would take a stronger stance on Israel than former President Donald Trump, Harris delivered a seven-minute answer that critics said did not directly address the question.

Axelrod also pointed out that Harris missed an opportunity on immigration, as she failed to acknowledge any problems with the current administration’s policies. According to Axelrod, admitting shortcomings is sometimes necessary for a candidate, but Harris seemed unwilling to do so.

CNN host Abby Phillip echoed Axelrod’s criticism, noting that Harris’ answers were lacking in policy details, which likely frustrated those seeking clear positions on key issues.

Throughout the town hall, Cooper repeatedly pressed Harris on policy matters, often re-asking the same questions when Harris’ responses lacked clarity. This approach appeared to unsettle Harris and led to further scrutiny from pundits.

With Election Day fast approaching, some national Democrats are concerned about Harris’ ability to appeal to undecided voters, particularly as Donald Trump maintains a lead in polling averages across seven key battleground states.

Harris defended the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border during the town hall, despite record-high illegal crossings under her leadership as the administration’s immigration point person.

Cooper challenged her on whether Biden’s June 2024 order to restrict asylum seekers came too late. Harris sidestepped the question, citing ongoing efforts to work with Congress on long-term immigration reform.

Cooper continued to press Harris on why the administration hadn’t taken executive action sooner, particularly as border crossings surged in 2022 and 2023.

Harris responded by emphasizing the administration’s attempts to pass immigration reform through Congress but ultimately resorted to executive measures.

Immigration remained a central topic during the event, with Harris mocking Trump’s efforts to build a border wall, downplaying his progress. She also clarified her stance on decriminalizing illegal border crossings, asserting that she never intended for the U.S. to have an insecure border.

Harris also used the town hall to sharply contrast herself with Trump, labeling him a fascist. When Cooper asked directly whether she believed Trump was a fascist, Harris responded affirmatively.

In closing, Harris warned voters about the risks of a second Trump presidency, claiming he would be focused on revenge and retribution. She described Trump as “unstable” and predicted he would create an “enemies list” if re-elected.

Trump, meanwhile, has suggested that his second term would bring “retribution,” though he has also framed it as a return to effective governance.