CNN’s Jake Tapper Criticizes Kamala Harris for Dodging Debate Questions

CNN host Jake Tapper criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for not providing direct answers during the presidential debate on ABC on Wednesday.

Tapper pointed out that Harris was evasive on several key issues, beginning with the first question on the economy.

Tapper said Harris was less than forthcoming about her policies, beginning the debate “by punting the first question on the economy.” AFP via Getty Images

“Despite the economy being the number one issue facing the country, the sitting vice president generally reverted to talking points about a few of her policy proposals,” Tapper remarked after showing a clip of Harris’s response. He added that even her supporters acknowledged she needed to be more specific about her plans for the future.

CNN host Jake Tapper took Vice President Kamala Harris to task for not answering direct questions during Tuesday’s presidential debate. CNN

Tapper highlighted another moment when Harris avoided answering a critical question about the border crisis. When asked how she would have handled the situation better than President Biden, Harris spoke about her experience prosecuting transnational criminal organisations but did not address the question directly. Tapper responded, “M’kay, that wasn’t the question.”

He further criticised her for sidestepping a question on how she would approach the Israel-Hamas conflict. Harris spoke of the need for a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages, but Tapper pressed, asking, “OK. But again, how?”

“While by no means are we equating the two performances last night, it is also true that at times both Trump and Harris fell short of giving straightforward answers to questions about how exactly they would run the country,” Tapper said. AFP via Getty Images

Tapper emphasised that his critique wasn’t meant to equate Harris’s performance with that of former President Donald Trump, though he did suggest that both candidates avoided giving clear answers on how they would lead the country.

The debate faced criticism, with many accusing ABC of being overly hostile toward Trump while treating Harris more favourably. Tapper, who had co-moderated a previous CNN debate, noted that Biden’s poor performance in that debate had led to his nomination being challenged within the Democratic Party.

Dan Olczak

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