Harris backtracks on policy issues

Vice president and the Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has made several policy reversals, opening her to attacks by Republicans and testing her pitch to voters as a truth-teller
                      

Death penalty

Jan 2004: As San Francisco’s district attorney, Harris opposes capital punishment and vows to “never charge the death penalty”

2010: In campaign for California attorney general, Harris pledges to enforce death penalty

2014: Harris appeals against California federal court ruling that death penalty is unconstitutional


AR-15

Gun control

2012: As attorney general in California, Harris seizes more than 2,000 firearms from individuals legally barred from possessing them

Mar 2024: Harris advocates more moderate policies – background checks on gun sales and “red flag” laws to restrict gun access to those posing risk to public safety


Fracking

Sep 2019: During her short-lived presidential campaign, Harris calls for fracking ban.
“There’s no question I’m in favour of banning fracking”

Jul 28, 2024: Facing need to win battleground Pennsylvania – nation’s No. 2 natural gas state – Harris’s campaign issues statement saying “she would not ban fracking”


Marijuana

2010: In campaign to become California’s top law enforcement official, Harris
opposes allowing marijuana sales for recreational use
         
Feb 2019: Harris reverses course and jokes about smoking marijuana. “I did inhale. It was a long time ago. But, yes,” she quips during radio interview, referring to smoking pot in her college days

           
Sources: Associated Press, Bloomberg, Politico 
Pictures: Getty Images, Primary Arms 
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