Fox News host, Newsom spar over Harris’s policies

Fox News anchor Bret Baier and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) argued over Vice President Harris’s policy stances ahead of her big night at the Democratic National Convention.

Speaking from Chicago, Baier pressed Newsom on Harris backing away from taking strong stances on some policy issues she held during her previous presidential campaign.

Other Republicans have begun attacking Harris for similar reasons, including former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

“For the people that say [former President Trump] gets it done, and it’s not hope and change and touchy-feely stuff, it is substance and [policy], what do you say to them,” Baier asked. “There’s some people that think there should be more meat on the bone on this policy. If you go to the Harris website, there is no policy listed on the website.”

Newsom argued that the convention is meant to be about the “why and what.” The California governor pointed to an op-ed published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal by Republican strategist Karl Rove.

“Karl Rove said it best … in an op-ed, he wrote, says there’s plenty of time for policy details. It’s the Biden-Harris administration, as it relates to the [Inflation Reduction Act] and the CHIPS and Science Act, relates to policies to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, all extraordinarily popular programs with the American people,” Newsom said.

Newsom said Harris’s Thursday evening speech to officially accept the Democratic Party’s nomination is a turning point for the country from which she can send a message to voters about a compelling future.

Baier noted that Harris, who launched a presidential bid in 2019 and ran against President Biden before becoming his running mate, had policy ideas. In this campaign, Baier said the vice president only has “paper statements.”

“Banning fracking, where she is on ‘Medicare for All,’ immigration, all of these things are a 180” from her previous policy positions, Baier said. “Is she going to explain that to us?”

Newsom said Harris has been part of Biden’s administration and accomplishments over the last three and a half years. She has a “record of accomplishments” compared to Trump, he said.

“Who is she? If you were running for president, wouldn’t you say what you were for specifically and if it differed dramatically from where you were just a few years ago?” Baier asked. “You would explain to people why you changed.”

“And she’s been our nominee for how many minutes?” Newsom replied.

“30 days,” Baier said.

The two spoke over one another, and Newsom jabbed at Baier.

“How about a little grace under the circumstances [in] this remarkable moment in U.S. history?” Newsom said.