The Harris campaign is over the moon right now. They think they’ve won the election already.
But Kamala Harris’ most important ally has poured cold water on her campaign.
You’re not alone if you’re feeling whiplash by watching the way the fortunes of Kamala Harris have seemed to turn around faster than anyone in political history in America. If anything, that’s an understatement considering the pollsters are claiming Kamala has gone from being one of the most unpopular Vice Presidents of all time to being a top-tier Presidential candidate who is way ahead of Donald Trump in their race.
538's polling average of Kamala Harris's net favorability is positive for the first time since July 2021. Trump's average net favorability is currently -9.6 pic.twitter.com/JbeuVy6m0L
— Danny Gold, pumpkin spice for limited time only (@dannyegold) September 17, 2024
There’s one major problem she has though, and this issue could force the bottom to come out of the Kamala Harris campaign. That issue is the economy, as many Americans are still extremely suspicious about how she could help average Americans who are struggling with the affordability of everyday goods and needs.
In a recent podcast appearance, former Obama advisor David Axelrod discussed Vice President Kamala Harris’ ongoing struggles with conveying economic policy in a more “organic” manner. Speaking on the Hacks on Tap podcast, Axelrod pointed out that while Harris has shown passion on certain issues, such as abortion rights, she appears less confident when addressing economic matters.
Axelrod’s critique comes in the wake of Harris unveiling her economic plans in mid-August, which included proposals like a federal ban on corporate price gouging to combat high grocery prices and a $25,000 housing credit for first-time homebuyers. These ideas have faced swift opposition from critics. During the podcast episode, Axelrod expressed that while Harris has proven herself in certain debates, particularly when discussing social issues, her approach to economic policy remains less convincing.
“I have one critique, okay, because, just because I do, and that is, you look at that debate and she was, I mean obviously she deconstructed Trump and he helped a lot. But you look at her answer on the abortion rights issue and she was utterly passionate,” Axelrod explained.
However, when it comes to the economy, Axelrod believes Harris still hasn’t found the right voice. “On the economic issue, she’s still trying to find the right voice, and she’s drawing on her bio and I think bio is really important,” Axelrod continued. He noted that Harris tends to rely heavily on her personal background when discussing economic matters, which can come across as disingenuous. “It doesn’t feel organic. It feels like it flowed from a poll,” Axelrod added.
Axelrod suggested that Harris might benefit from reframing her approach, encouraging her to view the middle class as her “clients” and adopt a prosecutor’s mindset, which has served her well in the past. “It started occurring to me, you guys, that she’s a prosecutor. She’s actually prosecuted people who’ve screwed working [people]. She ought to think about this like a case, right? And like a case she’s prosecuting and middle-class people, working people around the country, are her clients, and put a little edge into the fact that a lot of people have gotten screwed by the system,” he said.
Republicans have frequently criticized Harris for avoiding interviews and sidestepping questions on key issues, including her shifts in policy positions. While Harris did eventually sit down for an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash in late August, she offered little explanation for her changes in stance on matters like banning fracking. Despite these shifts, she insisted that her “values” have remained consistent.
In another interview with 6ABC Philadelphia, Harris seemed to fumble when asked how she plans to make life more affordable for Americans. Instead of providing a concrete answer, she spoke about her middle-class upbringing and, somewhat puzzlingly, lawns, leaving some viewers questioning her grasp of economic policy.
Harris faces many challenges in connecting with voters on economic issues. While her personal story resonates with many, her delivery on these critical topics has yet to strike the right chord with the public.
The entire Biden/Harris administration has been running a fake economy to avoid a collapse. pic.twitter.com/oK7fyljfI7
— Independents against Harris (@AgainstDems) September 13, 2024
Kamala Harris Flounders When Asked About The Economy And Off Script
In a recent sit-down and unscripted interview, Kamala Harris was asked about how her policies will actually help minority groups, who she says she supports, improve financially. Her answer was truly a nothing-burger. She didn’t even answer it.
🚨What a ridiculous answer. Kamala Harris is a total joke:
Reporter: “Polling shows that some Black men are considering voting for Trump, and they see him as better for the economy. What’s your message to young Black male voters who feel left out of this economy?”
Kamala: “It’s… pic.twitter.com/nn7KAxa0vl
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) September 17, 2024
Kamala Harris’s economy proposals have also been facing scrutiny from economists on all ends of the political spectrum, particularly her proposals of brand new taxes that have never been implemented before in American history like a tax on unrealized gains. It’s clear she intends to grow the federal budget rather than cut the budget and the burden on Americans.
As for Donald Trump, his campaign allies are asking him to focus on the economy and immigration as much as possible considering those are the two issues Kamala Harris is supremely vulnerable on.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
