Kamala Harris’s much-hyped first major interview as nominee | First Thing

Vice-president defended her shifts on certain policy issues over the years and reiterated her support for Joe Biden in her first major interview as the Democratic presidential nominee. Plus: the shrine to Harry Styles in rural England.

Good morning.

Kamala Harris's much-hyped first interview as the Democratic presidential nominee aired Thursday night, with the vice-president using the time to reinforce the policies she has spoken of since launching her campaign.

How did Harris perform? The Guardian's Washington DC bureau chief, David Smith, writes that both Harris and Walz came off radically normal". The old saw in presidential campaigns was: which candidate would you rather have a beer with?" Smith writes. Harris and Walz came over as the couple you'd be fine sharing cake and coffee with at your kids' birthday party."

What were some key moments? Harris spoke about the moment she received the call from Joe Biden saying he would not run for reelection - she had just been finishing up a family breakfast with her baby nieces", complete with pancakes and second-servings of bacon. I think history is going to show a number of things about Joe Biden's presidency," Harris said. He puts the American people first."

How did Republicans react? For weeks, Republicans had been calling for the nominees to open themselves up to questions. Trump responded reacted to the interview on Truth Social with a simple message: BORING!!!"