Vice President Kamala Harris has once again reversed her position on a key issue, this time stepping back from her previous support for banning plastic straws, as reported by Townhall.
This shift, revealed by a campaign official in a recent conversation with Axios, marks yet another instance of Harris changing her stance on a notable policy.
During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris was vocal about her support for a plastic straw ban. In a CNN town hall in 2019, she was asked if plastic straws should be banned due to environmental concerns.
New: When Harris ran in 2020, she said plastic straws should be banned.
Today, her campaign told Axios that's no longer her position.
"She doesn't support banning plastic straws," a campaign official told Axios.https://t.co/JShkIVWXwo
Heres’s the 2019 clip: pic.twitter.com/AGL2YkymQN
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) September 6, 2024
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Harris replied affirmatively, stating, “I think we should,” though she added that paper straws needed improvement.
This is what President Trump thinks about paper straws. pic.twitter.com/yrnU6yclaA
— Yanky 🇺🇲 (@Yanky_Pollak) August 9, 2023
Fast forward to 2024, and her tune has changed. When Axios inquired about her current stance on the matter, a campaign official said she no longer supports the ban.
The official, attempting to paint Harris in a favorable light, emphasized her environmental achievements.
“She cast the tie-breaking vote on the most consequential legislation to combat climate change and create clean energy jobs in history, and as President, she will focus on expanding that progress,” the spokesperson said.
They also acknowledged her previous comment about the poor quality of paper straws, suggesting that Harris still sees room for improvement in eco-friendly alternatives.
Harris’s shift on plastic straws is just the latest in a series of policy reversals that have raised eyebrows. From her early support for Medicare for All to her evolving stance on fracking, Harris has frequently adjusted her positions.
These shifts often occur when the political winds change, leading critics to accuse her of pandering rather than standing firm on her principles. Her supporters, however, argue that Harris is adaptable and open to new ideas, a leader willing to modify her positions as circumstances evolve.
In a recent CNN interview, Harris defended her shifting policies, claiming that while her positions may change, her core values remain the same. “I think it’s important that we stay open to new ideas and new ways to solve problems,” she said.
However, for many conservatives, this explanation falls flat, as they view these reversals as evidence of inconsistency and political opportunism.
As the 2024 election nears, Harris’s history of flip-flopping on key issues will likely continue to be a focal point for both critics and voters. Her shift on plastic straws is just the latest example of how her policy positions can change with the times.
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