Ramaswamy confronts CNN host over Harris' policy inconsistencies: "Actions speak louder than words"

Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate, engaged in a debate with CNN anchor Kate Bolduan about Vice President Kamala Harris' policy changes, following a poll that revealed some voters view Harris as less radical than her Republican opponent, former President Trump.

In six battleground states, nearly half of likely voters consider Trump's views to be a threat, while about 40% of voters in these states view Harris' views in the same way.

Do you think team Trump should shift now if voters don't agree with the extreme narrative against [Harris]?

Ramaswamy stated that he "respectfully disagreed" with this viewpoint, asserting that the media had not exposed voters to Harris' far-left record.

"Kamala Harris' past positions have not been exposed to voters by the media, according to Ramaswamy. "I don't blame the voters," Ramaswamy said. "They've been presented with a new version of Kamala Harris, where she is running to the center on economic and social policies. However, if we use Kamala Harris' own words against her, as I believe we should, she ran for president advocating for a tax on unrealized capital gains, 'abolition' to eliminate private health insurance, a ban on fracking, and bans on offshore drilling. These policies are not mainstream for most Americans.""

Bolduan argued that Harris had clarified her stance on private health insurance and fracking to CNN's Dana Bash last week, stating that she no longer supports a ban on these practices.

""If evolving on an issue is not allowed and calling it flip-flopping is the death knell to a campaign, then Donald Trump has issues," Bolduan said."

Ramaswamy contended that Harris had not merely "evolved" from her past liberal views on various matters, but was retreating from the policy actions she had taken throughout her political career.

"Actions speak louder than words," he said.

"She claimed she didn't support a ban on fracking at the moment, but the truth is, she was one of the strongest advocates for that ban, even going as far as suing the Obama administration over it in California. Similarly, she stated that she didn't favor the abolition of private health insurance, but the reality is, she was a co-sponsor of the 'Medicare-for-all' bill with Bernie Sanders as a U.S. senator. However, when it comes to the Green New Deal, she was the chief proponent, going beyond being a co-sponsor of the legislation and saying she would end the filibuster in the Senate to push it through. So, while she can say whatever she wants now, those are the actions she has taken."

"Bolduan's question was returned to by him, "Is someone allowed to evolve?" The answer was "Of course they are, but she deserves to explain exactly why she's changed those positions. Exactly what her position is. If it's not a ban on fracking, what exactly is it? What exactly is her health care plan if she no longer favors abolishing private health insurance? Which just four short years ago when she ran for president, she did. That's the kind of scrutiny that's been missing.""

Since emerging as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee 45 days ago, Harris has taken her first sit-down interview with CNN's Dana Bash, but has not yet held a formal press conference or taken more interviews. In contrast, former President Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have conducted at least 37 interviews between them in the past month.

Ramaswamy expressed hope that voters would gain a clearer understanding of Harris' policies through increased media interviews and her participation in the ABC presidential debate next week.

Ramaswamy stated that the American people and electorate have not had a rich policy debate with Kamala, as they deserve.

Ramaswamy was repeatedly questioned by Bolduan about whether it was acceptable for a candidate to switch jobs frequently.

"Ramaswamy emphasized that the change in position was not just a shift, but rather a set of concrete policies that she had implemented as Vice President, Attorney General, and U.S. Senator."