Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on the oil industry has shifted dramatically over the years, revealing a pattern of inconsistency that raises questions about her credibility. During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris made headlines with her harsh rhetoric against Big Oil, even suggesting potential criminal charges for companies she accused of harming the environment. Fast forward to her current campaign, and her narrative has changed entirely.
At a town hall in South Carolina in late 2019, Harris warned of serious consequences for oil companies, drawing a stark comparison to tobacco firms. “They were making so much money that they kept that secret,” she proclaimed, promising to hold them accountable. Her campaign materials from that time echoed similar sentiments, with over a dozen references to prosecuting these companies for their alleged role in climate change.
Yet, in her latest bid for the presidency, Harris has embraced a pro-energy production narrative, highlighting what she claims is record domestic oil output. “We have had the largest increase in domestic oil production in history,” she stated at a recent campaign event, asserting that this growth is vital for national security. This abrupt pivot raises eyebrows, especially since the surge in production is largely due to advancements in drilling technology and market dynamics, not policy initiatives from the Harris-Biden administration.
Moreover, her campaign now emphasizes the importance of “energy security and independence” without a hint of her previous aggressive stance against oil companies. While she once touted her investigations as California Attorney General, where she claimed to have taken a strong stand against ExxonMobil, she never followed through with actual lawsuits.
This stark transformation from attacking Big Oil to celebrating its production accomplishments paints a picture of a politician willing to say whatever it takes to secure votes. For voters who value consistency and accountability in leadership, Harris’s flip-flops serve as a cautionary tale. As the election approaches, it’s essential to scrutinize the true intentions behind her policies and recognize the implications of her shifting rhetoric.