Vice President Kamala Harris supported U.S. oil production during the presidential debate, highlighting a shift from her earlier stance on fracking and appealing to moderate voters.
Anna Phillips reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Harris emphasized the need to reduce foreign oil dependence while promoting record domestic production.
- Her remarks signal a shift in rhetoric from her past opposition to fracking, reflecting political realities in swing states like Pennsylvania.
- Younger climate activists criticized her position as a missed opportunity to differentiate herself from Donald Trump on energy policy.
Key quote:
“We have invested over a trillion dollars in a clean energy economy, while we have also increased domestic gas production to historic levels.”
— Kamala Harris, Vice President
Why this matters:
Harris’s support for oil production signals a pragmatic approach to win swing state votes but risks alienating young climate advocates. Balancing energy independence and climate action remains a key challenge for her campaign.
