‘Train wreck for Harris’: Kamala is ripped to shreds for ‘word salad’ CNN softball interview as ex-Obama strategist gives brutal verdict ahead of Trump debate showdown

Kamala Harris came under fire last night for her “word salad” responses in a softball interview for the liberal media, her first since Joe Biden left office 40 days ago.

The Democratic candidate appeared alongside her running mate Tim Walz for an hour-long broadcast. In reality, it was less than a half-hour of questioning by Dana Bash.

The liberal commentator claimed she succeeded by following the principle of “do no harm” during the pre-recorded broadcast from Savannah, Georgia.

But Harris’ critics said she failed to address three issues plaguing her campaign: the border crisis, skyrocketing inflation and the cover-up of Biden’s health problems.

David Axelrod, a former Obama strategist, delivered a brutal assessment in CNN’s post-game analysis, saying Harris “didn’t play the ball that far forward.”

Scott Jennings, a former Bush adviser, warned that Donald Trump would be “mouth-watering” before the September 10 presidential debate – their first-ever face-to-face meeting.

That sentiment was echoed by GOP polling guru Frank Luntz, who tweeted: “Many people think Kamala Harris has done a good job so far in this interview. I disagree — a good debater will find it easy to challenge her.”

Tim Walz and Kamala Harris were in Savannah, Georgia, with CNN’s Dana Bash

He added: “If tonight’s interview is judged not on policy but on performance, Kamala Harris will come up short.”

Bash, a CNN loyalist who has been with the liberal network since graduating from college, was accused of not throwing any punches. Harris HQ hailed the interview as a major triumph. Donald Trump told his Truth Social followers it was “BORING!!!”

Daily Mail columnist Andrew Neil said Harris “went scot-free for her role in covering up Biden’s cognitive decline” and added that CNN provided a “masterclass in how not to hold politicians to account”.

Former Trump adviser Steve Cortes called it a “train wreck.”

Harris responded nervously and hesitantly at times, prompting what many on social media labeled as “word salad.”

Axelrod said Harris was forced into the precarious position of “taking credit for the things that are right and trying to distance himself from the things that are not right.”

Astead Herndon, a political reporter for the New York Times, agreed, admitting, “I don’t think there’s a policy divide that [the Harris campaign has] made with Biden.’

On the economy, Harris tried to blame Trump for “exorbitant prices” on groceries — an inflationary strategy rejected by Wall Street because it ignores the huge increases in the price of many commodities, particularly gas, since “Bidenomics” took effect.

Jennings told CNN: “She had no further thoughts on the economic situation in the country or what they’ve done, other than Joe Biden and I have done a great job.”

On immigration, Harris claimed that her work “on root causes” had reduced the number of illegal immigrants.

But the vice president, who was appointed Biden’s “border czar,” has presided over a record immigration surge that has left American cities — including those thousands of miles from Mexico — overwhelmed with crime and homelessness.

David Axelrod, a former Obama strategist, delivered a brutal assessment in CNN’s post-game analysis, saying Harris “didn’t advance the ball that far.”

Scott Jennings, a former Bush adviser, gave the ominous warning that Donald Trump’s “mouth will be watering” ahead of the Sept. 10 presidential debate — their first-ever face-to-face meeting — and Harris’ first hostile TV appearance.

Perhaps most damning was Harris’ defense of Biden’s fitness to serve in the White House.

She took over from the 81-year-old commander in chief after the Democratic Party ousted him over poor poll numbers, with voters deeply concerned about his apparent cognitive decline.

Harris told Bash: ‘I spent hours and hours with him [Biden] – in the Oval Office or the Situation Room – he has the intelligence, the dedication, the judgment and the spirit that I believe the American people rightly deserve in their president.’

Jennings told CNN on her program after the interview that the American people would disagree with her characterization of the president and would consider it unfair.

‘S“He ultimately took no responsibility to tell the American people that Joe Biden was fine and that he was strong, when we all know that’s not true. That’s why he’s out of the race,” he said.

“I think most Americans know the truth. If you run for president and you’re willing to look them in the eye and tell them something you know isn’t true, that says something about your character.”

GOP pollster Frank Luntz tweeted: “Many people think Kamala Harris has done a good job so far in this interview. I disagree — a good debater will find it easy to challenge her.”

Harris has enjoyed something of a honeymoon since succeeding Biden, thanks in part to generous coverage in the liberal media and polls showing her ahead in swing states where Democrats were headed for defeat under the outgoing president.

Harris’ campaign is now looking ahead to the presidential debate on ABC on September 10.

Trump will create a hostile environment, which she has so far managed to avoid.

Jennings said last night, “She’s trying to skip a block of time, and during the debate Trump said [will] ‘I cannot allow that.’