What Kamala Harris is Ignoring
The Economy and Gaza Could Come to Haunt the Vice President
Around the World
American Vice President Kamala Harris is currently trying to seal the gap in the final 43 days before the most historic presidential election in the country—both in margins and in consequences. Former President Donald Trump has set his agenda since he began campaigning almost two years ago, and he remains unmoved on many issues. Kamala Harris’ campaign is only a few months old, and many speculate over what she must do to beat Donald Trump this coming November. The media often speaks of a moderate, “never-trump” American as the undecided voter who will decide the outcome of this election. Harris and the Democratic party she represents have respectively acted upon this premise, inviting conservatives to the DNC recently in Chicago and Harris herself mentioning the growing list of endorsements she has received from Republicans. The tactic is fully understandable and the aim is clear, nonetheless, Harris’ growth in polling has slowed down drastically since she first stepped into the race. Every voice, which turns into every vote, deserves to be represented and will choose who becomes the 47th president. It is therefore equally important to ask what voices and demands remain relatively ignored. Two issues that have received media attention that are proportionate to the prioritization of American voters are the national economy and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The American economy remains in the foreground of this election. On the 9th of September, voters from both parties stated that the economy was the top issue for their decision in November. Notably, Trump leads in favorability only by 2% on the economy. Harris has successfully begun to shrink this weak spot, though it is still important to note that she is far from dominating the conversation in this issue. This insecurity was on clear display when Vice President Harris avoided directly answering the first question of her first debate: “When it comes to the economy, do you believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago?” The national economy has, by traditional standards, improved since Biden and Harris took office, yet 36% of voters felt the economy was in a “poor” state.
The current administration may feel frustrated by this scrambled perspective on the economy but pointing fingers never wins elections nor fixes the root of dissatisfaction. Harris has released a list of policies she campaigns on. The three most frequently discussed policies are a tripling of child tax credits for newborns, a first-time homeowner tax credit, and price gouging of groceries. These are relatively popular proposals that have contributed to Harris’ growing competitiveness in this issue. They are still not sufficient.
Paid maternity leave has an 82% approval rate among Americans, approval the Ohio Times described as almost as "popular as chocolate”. 81% of Young Americans, ranging from Gen Z to Millenials, are in support of student loan forgiveness; 73% of Americans in general believe that some level of federal action regarding student loans should be taken. 57% of Americans also stated that they believe that the “federal government should ensure all Americans have healthcare coverage”. All of these policies have a clear popularity amongst the majority of Americans and are issues Democrats in the past have campaigned on. These issues, despite not being directly connected to the economy itself, would alleviate some of the financial burdens everyday Americans face and could then change their perspective on the economic climate of the nation. It is also worth noting that these policies have been widely and successfully implemented and are the norm for many other Western nations. The Vice President could find a boost in popularity if she chooses to champion these proposals. In 2020, Joe Biden, who brought student loan forgiveness to national attention, won the election with the youth vote (ages 18-29) in his favor at 59%, yet Kamala Harris, despite being the younger candidate, holds only 51% of support from the same age category. The Harris campaign must seek out further popular policies and adopt them, as many voters could otherwise feel neglected and remain reluctant to vote come November 5th.
Young voters are also hesitant to vote for reasons beyond their costly student loans. 100.000 voters, winning two delegates in the primary, remained uncommitted in Joe Biden’s bid for reelection in the key battleground state of Michigan before the subpar debate that caused the current President to step aside for his VP. These voters represented an anti-war movement focused specifically on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Their demands are made clear on the movement’s homepage: “Not Another Bomb”. This anti-war movement is particularly popular among Muslim Americans, Arab Americans, and young Americans. Vice President Harris has repeatedly stated her commitment to supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and has remained vague on where limits may lie. This restraint from the Vice President has resulted in protests at her campaign rallies. Harris’ reactions have circled around social media and appear to be mixed, further blurring what position Harris holds on this issue.
Kamala Harris’ stance remains unclear but the polls are not. As of March this year, 63% of Independents and 70% of Democrats confirmed they “disapprove of the military action Israel has taken in Gaza”. Though public opinion is always subject to change, the acute situation may ultimately affect what chances the Vice President has in less than two months. The current administration is facing further pressure due to the recent further escalation between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, with many of those reporting on the situation warning that a much larger conflict could ensue. The Uncommitted movement is aware of the impact they can have on November’s outcome, stating that they “are critical to the strength of the base” on their website. In Michigan alone, Harris leads by a narrow 2 points—well within the margin of error. Harris must solidify her position on this issue and also delegate with the Uncommited movement if she wishes to, in turn, solidify her lead.
Vice President Harris may win the upcoming election by sheer luck without implementing any of the suggestions made in this argument, but the polls are too close to gamble on remaining passive. For a larger popular vote, she must rally excitement by adopting popular policies that would shape her as a candidate. She has achieved this level of enthusiasm around abortion and gun control, where her language is strong and clear. It is therefore only more bewildering that she has failed to do so on her perspective regarding the Gazan conflict and the economy. Voters can be moved by these singular issues in her favor, especially if she approaches them with strength and assuredness. Historically, popular presidents have been fearless in the goals that they set, and embracing risk has often proved to be rewarding if the people are on your side.
