Exclusive Action News Interview: Kamala Harris discusses economy, guns and more
JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Vice President Kamala Harris sat down one-on-one for an exclusive interview with Action News anchor Brian Taff on Friday.
It's the first solo interview since she was selected as the Democratic nominee for president.
Brian traveled to western Pennsylvania to meet up with the vice president as she was campaigning in Johnstown.
She visited 'Classic Elements,' a small cafe and bookstore as part of a campaign swing through the Keystone State.
Harris' rise to the top of the ticket has been anything but ordinary. She has had a very shortened window to convey her biography and her priorities to the voters she's going to need to win in November.
So if the first phase of her shortened candidacy was her biography phase, you might see this closing chapter is the policy one: telling people what she's going to do.
On the economy
On the economy, Brian pointed out that Harris talks about bringing down prices and making life more affordable for people.
"What are one or two specific things you have in mind for that?" Brian asked.
"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," she said.
"So my opportunity economy plan includes giving startups a $50,000 tax deduction to start their small business. It used to be $5,000. Nobody can start a small business with $5,000," Harris continued.
"Opportunity economy means, look, we don't have enough housing in America. We have a housing supply shortage, and what that means, in particular, for so many younger Americans, the American Dream is elusive, it's just actually not attainable," said Harris.
"To help people who just want to get their foot in the door, literally, and so giving first-time homebuyers a $25,000 down payment assistance," she said.
On guns in America
The discussion also included the topics of crime and public safety, two major issues for the country - including Philadelphia.
Brian asked Harris where she draws the line in America on gun ownership and gun use.
"I am a gun owner and Tim Walz, my running mate, is also a gun owner. We're not taking anyone's guns away. I support the Second Amendment and I support reasonable gun safety laws," Harris said.
"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. They're literally tools of war," Harris continued. "I say we need universal background checks. The majority of NRA members support that. Why? It's just reasonable. You just might want to know."
On reaching undecided voters
Brian also asked the vice president how she plans to reach voters who are on the fence heading into the November election.
"On the appeal of the man you're running against: as you drove here today, you likely saw a lot of Trump signs. He has a historic appeal in this country, and as someone running against him and trying to understand that, I wonder how you distill it? What do you understand his appeal to be? And how do you speak to his voters, and maybe people who share his values, but are open to something else?" Brian asked.
"I, based on experience, and a lived experience, know in my heart, I know in my soul, I know, that the vast majority of us as Americans have so much more in common than what separates us. And I also believe that I am accurate in knowing that most Americans want a leader that brings us together as Americans and not someone who professes to be a leader who is trying to have us point our fingers at each other," Harris said.
Brian also asked Harris about any policies she has that are different from President Joe Biden and what she wishes Americans knew about her.
Watch Brian's full interview with Harris in the video player above.
Action News interview with Donald Trump
Back in April, 6abc anchor Walter Perez conducted a one-on-one interview with fmr. President Donald Trump.
In that interview, the former president touched on a number of issues including immigration, abortion, and the economy.
