There are a bunch of holes and gaps in her policies.
As Kamala Harris moves toward a more centrist stance in the final weeks of the 2024 presidential campaign, her updated policy agenda reveals a pragmatic shift. This strategy includes addressing various issues while stepping back from some of her earlier progressive positions. Just before her first debate with Donald Trump, Harris unveiled a detailed policy page on her campaign website, outlining her latest plans to tackle the cost of groceries, housing, and to enhance the child tax credit.
However, the agenda leaves several significant issues vague. It lacks specific proposals on topics such as minimum wage, paid leave, and child care funding, potentially leaving voters uncertain about her future policy directions. Some parts of the agenda focus more on the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration and critique Trump’s policies, rather than providing new policy details. Harris’ late entry into the race, following President Biden’s withdrawal, has also led to an evolution of her campaign platform from Biden’s original setup.
The potential impact of these ambiguities on Harris’ campaign remains uncertain. With a recent poll showing that 30% of voters want to know more about Harris compared to 10% for Trump, there is room for interpretation. Some voters, like Sydney Smith from North Carolina, understand and accept Harris’ shift towards the center as a pragmatic move necessary for a general election.
Republicans, however, dismiss Harris’ centrist pivot, asserting that her more progressive positions from 2019 reflect her true beliefs. Critics, such as Senator John Cornyn, argue that Harris has not convincingly justified her shift away from previously held positions. Harris’ policy page highlights accomplishments like the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law but omits specific future plans, including whether she supports expanding Medicare and Social Security.
Harris’ policy proposals, including her stance on immigration and health care, largely depend on congressional approval. Her campaign has not provided details on whether she supports measures like ending the Senate filibuster or specifics on immigration reform. In contrast, Trump has also faced criticism for his vague policy proposals, including his plan to replace the Affordable Care Act and his recent suggestion for universal IVF coverage without clarifying funding details.
