Kamala Harris, currently serving as our nation’s Vice President, has stepped into the public spotlight only to add more confusion to our already tumultuous political climate. In a recent interview, her first since bagging the Democratic presidential nomination, she unabashedly declared her priority to be the economic troubles of the middle class. Unfortunately, she neglected to provide any clear or specific policies that she would implement to achieve this vague aim.
Garnering widespread concern from the public, Harris’s fresh promise shares eerie similarities with the previously broken pledges made by her predecessor, Joe Biden. Echoing the hollow sentiment of ‘hope and optimism,’ she tosses back to historical American moments, without offering any substantial evidence or path forward that would differentiate her from the failed Biden administration.
In the wake of this apparent lack of policy direction, many wonder if Harris, still seated comfortably as Vice President, can bring about the change she promises. This uncertainty is reminiscent of the period following Biden’s underwhelming performance against former President Donald Trump before he dropped out of the race last July.
Throughout this crucial interview, Harris repeated a well-worn tactic of providing vague answers to hard-hitting questions. Her evasion only further raised eyebrows about the future of our country under her direction, giving the public more uncertainty rather than providing the reassurances they need.
With her campaign routinely backed by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris has become proficient in side-stepping controversies related to the post-pandemic economy as well as earlier missteps. This avoidance strategy leaves voters dubious and worried about the validity of Trump’s platform as the pair attempts to deflect attention onto their Republican opponent.
Surprisingly, the Vice President believed that Americans would ‘turn the page’ on Trump. However, the persistent issues in our society, further fueled by the silence and non-action of the Democratic party, might suggest the vice versa—that Americans are looking for a reliable alternative outside the Democrat’s disjointed approach.
Harris’s claims about her unchanged values feel empty in the face of her changing positions. Her distancing from supporting progressive causes and moving toward more mainstream issues seems to be a clear indication of the Democratic party’s tendency to sway with prevailing winds rather than showing steadfast dedication to their constituents’ concerns.
Another concern that follows Harris around is her shifting stance on fracking. Initially an opponent, Harris has suddenly seen the light and now advocates that we can instigate a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking. This abrupt switch of standpoints raises further questions about the genuine nature of her beliefs and intentions.
Harris’s endorsement of an immigration deal involving additional border wall construction rings with hypocrisy. It’s clear that her decision to support the bipartisan immigration bill is pointed more towards taking a dig at Trump, who had previously rejected the deal fearing it could give Democrats an unfair advantage in the coming election.
Despite the vague and inconsistent responses, Harris continued to toe the party line established by the Biden administration. Attempting to appear diplomatic, she holds that Israel’s defense methods matter, while failing to critique the impact of disproportionate force resulting in innocent Palestinian lives lost.
While Harris maintained the posture of intending to lead as a president for ‘all Americans,’ the promise falls short when it lacks sincerity and is not followed up with actions that build trust and unity. Her declaration to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet was met with skepticism, given the lack of a specific candidate and the Democratic party’s track record of only inviting dissenting opinions when it benefits their cause.
Much like the Biden administration, Harris seems focused on catering to the optics rather than making concrete decisions. As she introduces herself to the nation, she continues to project a brand that contradicts the realities, with constant diversions and inconsistencies that merely deepen public skepticism.
Since taking over the Democratic Presidential nomination, Harris has managed to rally support across her party and surge ahead in the polls. Despite this, many are beginning to question how she plans to bring significant change, especially considering her close ties to Biden and the current concerns surrounding inflation due to post-pandemic economic strategies.
The interview served as a testament to Harris’s inability to address critical concerns directly, which only fuels further speculation about her intentions. As we continue to see a replay of the same old, tired playbook from the Democratic side, America is left asking —where is the promised leadership, where is the change they so highly speak of?