Harris-Walz Interview Tops Ratings with 6 Million Viewers

CNN’s prime time interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, attracted a significant viewership on Thursday night. This interview, which marked the Democratic ticket’s first public appearance since President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the re-election race, drew over 6 million viewers, making it the most-watched program on television that evening.

The special, titled “The First Interview: Harris & Walz,” was a standout in the television landscape, particularly among the coveted 25-54 age demographic, where it garnered 1.2 million viewers. This audience figure placed it as the second most-watched program of the night, following college football’s broadcast on ESPN. The interview’s impressive ratings outpaced those of both Fox News, which attracted 2.65 million viewers, and MSNBC, which saw 1.367 million viewers, according to Nielsen data.

The interview also delivered CNN its highest ratings in the 9 p.m. ET slot since June’s presidential debate, which was pivotal in President Biden’s decision to withdraw from his re-election campaign. That debate had drawn a substantial 9.681 million viewers overall and 3.398 million viewers within the key demographic.

Criticism from Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, had previously targeted Harris for not participating in a network interview. Their criticism extended to the inclusion of Tim Walz, which they argued deviated from the tradition of presidential candidates being interviewed alone following their party’s convention.

During the interview, conducted by CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris addressed several policy concerns and personal critiques. On the topic of her stance on fracking and other policy shifts, Harris emphasized that her core values had remained consistent. She reaffirmed her commitment to addressing climate change, citing her work on the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act. “I have always believed, and I have worked on it, that the climate crisis is real,” Harris asserted. “It is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time. We did that with the Inflation Reduction Act. We have set goals for the United States of America, and by extension, the globe, around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed.”

When the conversation shifted to Trump’s remarks suggesting that she “happened to turn black,” Harris dismissed these comments as part of a “same old tired playbook” and chose to move on to the next question rather than engage further.

In a notable policy revelation, Harris stated her openness to including a Republican in her cabinet if elected. “I’ve got 68 days to go with this election, so I’m not putting the cart before the horse,” she said. “But I would, I think. I think it’s really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”

This statement underscores Harris’s broader approach to governance, emphasizing inclusivity and the value of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. As the campaign continues, Harris’s interview highlights her commitment to addressing both policy issues and criticisms, while also signaling a readiness to bridge partisan divides within her potential administration.