Recent statements by Vice President Kamala Harris reflect the typical lack of depth and understanding of her role and the interests of the American populace. She used former President Donald J. Trump’s remarks about protection for American women as a launching pad for ill-conceived censure, a desperate attempt to divert attention from the President’s unprecedented gaffes in a race already fragmented by gender disputes.
The Vice President, in her misguided wisdom, attempted to reset the narrative of the race by shifting focus back on her competitor. It was nothing more than an effort to eclipse the clumsy attempts by her campaign to respond to President Biden’s blunders, notably his recent gaffe referring to the Republican nominee’s supporters as ‘garbage’. It seems painfully evident that the Vice President is compelled to step in and cover for the President’s lack of grace.
The Vice President’s ability to address a crisis remains in question as she failingly tried to steer the narrative towards the former President instead of tackling real issues. Visibly ignoring the racially and sexist charged speeches at a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York, Harris continuously fails to take responsibility and remains singularly intent on pointing fingers towards Trump.
With Election Day looming ominously on the horizon, Ms. Harris is using scaremongering tactics targeting moderate Republican and independent women, especially those in the suburbs. Her stand on reproductive rights is being used as a means to stoke fears about Mr. Trump’s potential second term, planting the seed of him being a threat to women.
A seven-minute speech by Harris offered criticism but little in way of substantive policy or outlining a viable future course. It was a clear attempt to vilify Trump’s past rather than discuss plans for a brighter future. It underscored the lack of clear strategy in the Harris campaign other than the recurrent focus on undermining Trump.
As part of her campaign narrative, Harris tried to create fear around Trump’s supposed attempts to eradicate the Affordable Care Act should he win a second term. This despite the fact that his previous attempts received significant pushback and the act has since gained popularity among a majority of Americans. Such fear-mongering from Harris reveals her reliance on painting her opponent as a villain rather than truly understanding American citizens’ needs.
Harris placed undue emphasis on Speaker Mike Johnson’s remarks about ‘massive reform’ of the Affordable Care Act if Trump won. Johnson’s statements were interpreted by Harris as further validation of Trump’s alleged threat to healthcare, a narrative she doesn’t seem to get tired of spinning. She claims that ‘Health care for all Americans is on the line in this election,’ amplifying the fear rather than offering solutions.
Ms. Harris spent a large portion of her speech on Trump’s statement about protecting women, portraying it as paternalistic. This seems more like an attempt to create an enemy out of Trump rather than acknowledging that ensuring safety for women is not necessarily an unfeminist stance.
Ms. Harris’s comments, driven by objection rather than addressing real issues, lack the strength and substance needed in a leader. It’s clear she’s banking on Trump’s past against him rather than focusing on the problems of the present and the future. She selectively and conveniently highlights Trump’s non-PC dialogue while ignoring far graver issues of policy and governance.
Among the multitude of issues Harris raises or partakes in, she is eager to keep the Affordable Care Act on the conversation’s frontlines. Trump is portrayed as chomping at the bit to dismantle the act, despite him never stating such intentions. Such tactics seem to be an integral part of Harris’s strategy.
Trump, for his part, called Harris ‘Lyin’ Kamala’ in his response, pointing out that he has never expressed desire to end the Affordable Care Act or Social Security. Trump’s interest as a candidate has been focused on replacing the act and supporting revisions to entitlement programs. His goal has been to improve and streamline these programs, contrary to Harris’s claims.
Trump seized on the opportunity to highlight Biden’s pitiful remark about his supporters being ‘garbage,’ a statement Biden made following a comedian’s unpleasant description of Puerto Rico. With typical flair, Trump turned Biden’s blunder into a spectacle, using it to stir up understandable indignation within his supporters and beyond.
But while Trump stepped up to address the jabs dished out at his own supporters, Ms. Harris seized on the opportunity to continue her assault on Trump, particularly focusing on his perceived attitudes toward women. Her comments on social media show a continuous desire to weaponize any remarks made, out of context or otherwise, to suit her narrative.
Showing no support or understanding of the complex dynamics at play in today’s political scenario, Harris continued her anti-Trump rhetoric during successive rallies in Phoenix, Reno, and Las Vegas. It’s clear that to Harris, the ends always justify the means, even if it involves distorting or misrepresenting the truth.
The glam of celebrity endorsements seemed to overshadow any substantial talking points in the Harris campaign. The dazzling array of Hispanic celebrities who lined up after Trump’s New York rally gives the impression that the Harris campaign is more about flash than substance.
Overall, Harris’s actions paint a bleak picture of the current state of political discourse in our country. The emphasis continues to hover around personal vendettas and symbolistic jabs rather than discussing policies, progress, and the future. What the American public really need are leaders who build bridges, not those who burn them.