On Fracking, Senator Harris Wants To Have It Both Ways

On Fracking, Senator Harris Wants To Have It Both Ways

Senator Kamala Harris insisted on Wednesday night's debate that, if elected as president, “Joe Biden will not ban fracking.” What Harris said may have seemed problematic to some pundits, but as a politician, it was the best she could do in the moment.

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Fracking is a contentious issue and a difficult point for the Democrat ticket, because, on the one hand, Americans want the results of greater domestic oil and natural gas production. On the other hand, the hardliners in the Democrat party opposes domestic fossil fuel production entirely, as can be seen in the plans for the proposed Green New Deal. With her statement, Harris split the difference and left open the possibility to largely satisfy either contingent. 

On the one hand,