in her solitude Interview Since receiving the Democratic nomination from President Joe Biden about six weeks ago, Vice President Kamala Harris told CNN's Dana Bash that she no longer plans to ban fracking, marking a change of heart given that Harris repeatedly promised to do just that during the brief campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination.

Had Harris left her answer there, many might have believed her, but she continued. Decorate The statement By adding“I made that clear during the 2020 debates.” This is a completely inaccurate statement. (Related: CNN displays live banner during pre-recorded interview with Harris and Waltz)

The only debate Harris has participated in since being named Biden's running mate was against then-Vice President Mike Pence, where she twice avoided directly answering a question about whether she personally supported banning long-standing, regulated, and safe industrial processes. I'm just saying that“Joe Biden is not going to end fracking. He's made that very clear,” she later said. Repeated Same answer.

After the edited recording of Harris' interview with Bash aired, CNN reporter Daniel Dale said: He said he checked the records. of Harris vs. Pence debate “And she has nowhere stated that she is abandoning her previous support for the fracking ban.”

This is an important point that American voters need to understand when assessing Harris' true intentions on energy policy. Approximately 70% of Total U.S. Oil and Gas Production This one involves “fracking.” Harris's vague and misleading answers to both Bash and the public in the only interview she has ever given are hardly the right response to such a simple and straightforward question. Unfortunately for voters, this wasn't the only misleading answer Harris gave on energy on Thursday. (Related article: 'Not impressed': Prominent pollster breaks down 7 mistakes Harris likely made in first interview)

Aaron Johnson, vice president of public and legislative affairs for the Western Energy Alliance, said in an email Friday that Harris also misled the public by claiming she voted in favor of expanding federal oil and gas leasing.

“Federal data shows leasing is at an all-time low during her tenure as vice president.” Johnson points out“In a recent analysis Western Energy Alliance Data from the Bureau of Land Management (WEA) show that the onshore land area being offered for lease sales, the number of leases issued, and the land area issued under those leases are each trending significantly downward.”

Indeed, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a longtime opponent of oil and gas development before Biden appointed her, has steadfastly refused to comply with federal statutory leasing requirements, according to data provided by the WEA. Acres The number of oil and gas leases offered fell from 7.362 million in 2019 to just 291,000 in 2023, while the number of new leases also fell from 1,841 to just 144 over the same period. (Related: Biden Administration Considers Opening Up 31 Million Acres of Alaska for Solar Power After Blocking Oil and Gas in Vast Areas)

If Harris was indeed advocating for an expansion of oil and gas leasing over the past three and a half years — and there is no record of this ever happening — no one at DOI was listening.

It's becoming clearer with each passing day that Harris and Waltz's strategy in this campaign is to avoid giving direct, detailed answers about their plans for energy policy if elected. Having long been vocal opponents of the powerful U.S. oil and gas industry, they are hoping to get through the next 70 days with winks and nods, as Dana Bash regretfully did on Thursday in her follow-up questioning, without any clarity.

American voters deserve better, not only from Ms. Harris and Governor Tim Walz, but also from a media establishment that always seems to be purposefully lazy and disinterested when speaking to Democratic presidential candidates.

David Blackmon is a Texas-based energy writer and consultant who worked in the oil and gas industry for 40 years and specializes in public policy and communications.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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