US Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly aggressively distancing herself from President Biden’s record while simultaneously disavowing progressive policies she once championed. This strategic pivot comes as Harris takes over the Democratic mantle from Biden, with her campaign now characterized by a focus on style over substance.
Democratic campaign operatives caution that Harris risks alienating voters by appearing opportunistic.”It’s a marketing strategy that is TV-esque,” said a senior Democratic aide, as reported by the New York Post. “With such a short timeline now, policy matters less than personality. She’s going to almost exclusively look at a voter like a consumer — and sell, sell, sell!”
Another Democratic operative revealed that Harris is strategically breaking away from Biden’s economic policies due to his poor polling numbers, ready to discard any administration talking points lacking strong public support. As per report, at 59, Harris is also seemingly abandoning several progressive positions from her 2020 presidential bid, such as Medicare for All, banning fracking, and legalizing undocumented immigration.
Critics, including those from within her own party, previously derided Harris for her shifting stances. The Biden campaign mocked her Medicare position as inconsistent, while aides for Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized her policies as strategically crafted for favorable poll numbers.
Harris is now emphasizing moderate credentials by addressing inflation and the high cost of goods, while aligning with Trump’s pledge to avoid taxing tips for service workers in key battleground states like Nevada. “As far as Harris distancing from Biden, she was going to do that,” said one campaign operative, highlighting the opportunity to redefine the 2024 race, reported the New York Post.
Harris has faced criticism for her aloofness on policy and avoidance of major media interviews following Biden’s departure. This strategy, according to a senior Democratic aide, allows her time to refine her narrative. Harris advisors told Axios she is unafraid to embrace policy reversals, likening her strategy to that of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent policy shift on congestion pricing.
Republicans have pounced on Harris’s campaign strategy. Rockland County Republican Rep. Mike Lawler labeled her a “fraud,” and JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, dismissed her revamped campaign as “fake,” questioning the authenticity of her newly promoted image and messaging.
Democratic campaign operatives caution that Harris risks alienating voters by appearing opportunistic.”It’s a marketing strategy that is TV-esque,” said a senior Democratic aide, as reported by the New York Post. “With such a short timeline now, policy matters less than personality. She’s going to almost exclusively look at a voter like a consumer — and sell, sell, sell!”
Another Democratic operative revealed that Harris is strategically breaking away from Biden’s economic policies due to his poor polling numbers, ready to discard any administration talking points lacking strong public support. As per report, at 59, Harris is also seemingly abandoning several progressive positions from her 2020 presidential bid, such as Medicare for All, banning fracking, and legalizing undocumented immigration.
Critics, including those from within her own party, previously derided Harris for her shifting stances. The Biden campaign mocked her Medicare position as inconsistent, while aides for Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized her policies as strategically crafted for favorable poll numbers.
Harris is now emphasizing moderate credentials by addressing inflation and the high cost of goods, while aligning with Trump’s pledge to avoid taxing tips for service workers in key battleground states like Nevada. “As far as Harris distancing from Biden, she was going to do that,” said one campaign operative, highlighting the opportunity to redefine the 2024 race, reported the New York Post.
Harris has faced criticism for her aloofness on policy and avoidance of major media interviews following Biden’s departure. This strategy, according to a senior Democratic aide, allows her time to refine her narrative. Harris advisors told Axios she is unafraid to embrace policy reversals, likening her strategy to that of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent policy shift on congestion pricing.
Republicans have pounced on Harris’s campaign strategy. Rockland County Republican Rep. Mike Lawler labeled her a “fraud,” and JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, dismissed her revamped campaign as “fake,” questioning the authenticity of her newly promoted image and messaging.
Source : Times of India
