Kamala Harris and Kathy Hochul bear uncanny similarities, extending beyond their shared initials. Both have repeatedly fallen short in displaying robust political acumen. Averageness seems to be the norm as bare-minimum preparedness, approval issues, miscommunication, and recourse to far-left ideologies characterize their political journeys.
The upcoming elections provide Republicans in New York the chance to take a leaf out of ex-President Trump’s book. They could replicate his strategy against Harris that overshadowed her inadequacies and pinpointed her as unfit for rectifying New York State’s fallible condition. Harris’s tenure as Vice President was staged from one mishap to another.
The handling of the border crisis was a prominent debacle, her public appearances were fraught with discomfort, and even within Democratic circles, confidence in her leadership dwindled. This throws back to her presidential run in 2020 where she withdrew ahead of Iowa. Biden’s choice for her as a running mate primarily leaned on her immutable qualities, as per his own confession.
Hochul’s political journey echoes Harris’s. Picked by former Governor Andrew Cuomo as his running mate for her inconspicuous nature, she was handed the top role in the aftermath of his scandalous downfall. Despite holding office by re-election, her performance was noted as the most lacking by a Democratic candidate statewide in recent history.
Hochul’s tenure has not seen smooth sailing – crisis after crisis unfolded with her trailing behind. Her response to New York’s migrant issues was feeble, letting the situation escalate to an extent that attracted legal action from the Trump Justice Department. A weak stance on rising crime rates and inability to oppose Albany’s pro-criminal bail laws burdened New Yorkers with a pervading sense of insecurity.
Drawing another parallel with Harris, Hochul’s governance lacks a firm mandate and displays rudderless leadership. Her popularity is a worry too. Like the ex-vice president, Hochul’s approval rates are underwater, with the Democratic core never truly warming up to her. Her public speaking, riddled with word salads and off-put Siena College polls present a worryingly low favorability rating of just 39 percent for Hochul, making her an unpopular figure.
With 47 percent of the population viewing her unfavorably, and a staggering 57 percent hoping for ‘someone else’ in power, her position seems precarious. Hochul, much like Harris, is perceived as an indecisive leader, unable to voice strongly against the extreme left leadership.
Hochul’s administration too seems to be plagued by the fear of left radicals overpowering her, hence repeatedly bending to their behest. This is observable from the failed attempt to delay the 21st district’s special elections in New York and the decision to reject her competent nominee for the Chief Judge of Court of Appeals, choosing a progressive activist judge instead.
Another alarming trend is her surrender to the far-left demands, such as congestion pricing and prohibiting gas stoves. Despite clear dissatisfaction over New York’s bail reform laws, she willingly acceded to Albany’s progressives, offering no valuable amendments. Rather than resisting the immigrant crisis, she declared New York a sanctuary state through an executive order.
Hochul’s government has resulted in an increasingly expensive life in New York, driving businesses and families from the state due to steep energy mandates, taxes, and fees. Trump’s resounding triumph over Harris can be employed as a practical model in New York.
Trump’s fearless leadership and resolve to bring systemic change has redefined American politics. It wasn’t simply a victory over Harris but an exposure of her as a mere figurehead in a party that lacked faith in her. This strategy must be applied against Hochul, who is seen as New York’s equivalent of an empress lacking substance.
New Yorkers are yearning for change. The high cost of living is debilitating families. Crime rates show no signs of abating. An exodus is underway, with citizens and businesses seeking more affordable, unrestricted locations. In order to revive New York, we are in dire need of delivering a hard-hitting revelation to Albany, echoing the one handed out to Washington.
The state’s future hinges on this dire necessity as our current leadership fails us at every turn. It is not just about winning an election – it is about pulling New York from the brink and restoring its lost glory.