Fresh off the heels of her debate against Donald Trump on ABC News, Kamala Harris granted the first solo interview of her presidential run to anchor Brian Taff of the local ABC affiliate in Philadelphia.
While the vice president largely made it through her face-off with Trump without one of her signature word salads, the same could not be said for this sit-down that was light on substance but heavy on long, rambling responses.
On Tuesday’s show, Megyn was joined by Piers Morgan, host of Piers Morgan Uncensored, to discuss the embarrassing return of the Kamala Harris we have come to know over the last three and half years and why Trump should consider debating her again.
The Interview
Harris sat for the interview with Taff on Friday in Johnson, PA, as part of a campaign swing in the area. “I love her new bout of self confidence that she actually thinks she did so well in that debate that she should put herself out there,” Megyn said. “You go, girl! Get out there. Let’s hear more from you because this is how it went.”
While Taff seemed to follow the same script as his ABC News colleagues David Muir and Linsey Davis in his decision to not ask Harris any probing questions or follow-ups in the 11-minute interview, the Democratic nominee failed to hit any of the softballs out of the park.
Instead, she resorted to the awkward ‘word salads’ that have gotten her into trouble for much of her vice presidency. Harris’ answer to a very basic question about her economic plan was one such example:
TAFF: You talked about creating an ‘opportunity economy.’ I wonder if we could drill down on that a little bit. When we talk about bringing down prices and making life more affordable for people, what are one or two specific things you have in mind for that?
HARRIS: Well, I’ll start with this. Um, I grew up a middle class kid. My mother raised my sister and me. She worked very hard… I grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn, you know? And, um, and I was raised to believe and to know that all people deserve dignity, and that we as Americans have a beautiful character… So, when I talk about building an opportunity economy, it is very much with the mind of investing in the ambitions and aspirations and the incredible work ethic of the American people and creating opportunity for people, for example, to start a small business. Um, my mother, you know, worked long hours and our neighbor helped raise us… She was a small business owner. I love our small business owners… Our small businesses are so much a part of the fabric of our communities, not to mention, really, I think, the backbone of America’s economy…
In Megyn’s view, the discussion on guns was equally hollow – especially when you consider the issues Taff failed to raise. “[Harris] is on record… supporting a ban on fracking. She has never actually reversed it,” she noted. “We’re in Pennsylvania. Does this reporter follow up and say, ‘Madam Vice President, once and for all, you didn’t actually ever reverse your stance on banning fracking. Will you do so now?’ and ask her about the flip flop? No. Instead, he goes to guns.”
TAFF: I think you actually probably caught a lot of people off guard, maybe a bit by surprise at the debate the other night when you mentioned that you were a gun owner. I know you said it in 2019 as well. I want to talk about your values on this issue. When it comes to gun ownership, where do you draw the line in America on gun ownership and gun use?
HARRIS: Well, like you said, Brian, I am a gun owner and Tim Walz, my running mate, is also a gun owner. We’re not taking anybody’s guns away… I feel very strongly that it is consistent with the Second Amendment and your right to own a gun to also say we need an assault weapons ban…
Megyn took issue with Taff’s “anodyne, empty” question. “The question should have been, ‘You’re also on camera saying you want to ban guns and would implement a mandatory buyback program… Do you stand by that,'” she said. “We don’t get her pressed on the mandatory buyback. That’s completely memory-holed because, yet again, this ABC reporter decides to run cover instead of do his job.”
‘She’s a Moron’
While Trump has said he will not debate Harris again prior to Election Day, Morgan said moments like this illustrate why he should. “If I’m Trump… I would be desperate to get back on stage and do what he should have done the first time, which is let her hang herself with this word salad,” he explained.
He pointed out that Trump “spoke for six more minutes than Kamala Harris in that last debate.” And while part of that was due to the moderators’ fact-checking, Morgan said “part of it was also him continuing to just keep talking when, actually, the more she talks, the fewer votes she’s going to get.”
In the wake of incidents like this local ABC News hit, Morgan believes Harris will go back into hiding and a debate may be the only chance to get her on the record. “She must know how these interviews are playing out… People are like, ‘What did she just say,'” he noted. “So, I just think that Trump has to let Kamala Harris be exposed… because there is very little meat on the bone here in terms of actual substance to what she says.”
At the end of the day, Megyn said it is important to remember the stakes. “I regret to inform you that the possible next president of the United States on the Democratic ticket is an idiot. She is a moron,” she concluded. “I’m sorry, there is really no other way of putting it.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Morgan by tuning in to episode 890 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.