Kamala Harris: 5 key questions facing the Democratic presidential nominee

Aug. 13, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

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Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has made a strong start to her campaign, but her allies recognize that more difficult challenges await.

Harris has described herself as the “underdog” in the upcoming November election against former President Trump.

Currently, it’s difficult to pinpoint a clear favorite. However, Harris has closed the national polling gap that Trump once had over President Joe Biden, and some battleground state polls are shifting in her favor.

Despite this, projections still favor Trump.

Here are the critical questions facing Harris now and in the weeks to come:

Will her policy changes have consequences?

Kamala Harris garnered positive press following her swift Democratic nomination and the smooth introduction of her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. However, this positive spotlight has overshadowed her current policy positions, which diverge from the stance she adopted during her 2020 bid for the Democratic nomination.

According to The Hill report, Harris no longer endorses a ban on fracking and now considers unauthorized border crossings illegal, a departure from her previous position that they should not be criminalized.

Previously, Harris supported Medicare-for-All. Biden has not proposed this policy, and it remains uncertain if Harris will advocate for it.

The report notes that a lack of clarity about Harris's true beliefs was a contributing factor to her disappointing 2020 campaign.

She will likely strive to avoid a similar outcome.

What specific details will she provide about her economic plans?

Harris is expected to outline her economic strategy in detail this week.

According to The Hill report, based on a press briefing in Phoenix on Saturday, she highlighted her focus on lowering costs and bolstering the overall economy.

Later, Harris made a surprising proposal to exempt service and hospitality workers from paying taxes on tips - a plan initially put forward by Trump. The former president quickly denounced the idea on social media, accusing Harris of plagiarism.

Advertisement Harris is anticipated to present economic arguments similar to those Biden sought to promote.

While some of Biden’s proposals have not gained significant traction, Harris may bring them renewed attention, the report noted.

These include Biden’s suggestions for tax credits for buyers and sellers of “starter” homes to stimulate the housing market, and allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for a broader range of drugs.

Can Harris present these ideas in a more persuasive manner than Biden has been able to do?

A recent Economist/YouGov poll revealed that 52 per cent of Americans disapprove of Biden's handling of jobs and the economy, with only 40 per cent expressing approval.

Advertisement What specific actions does Harris plan to take regarding Israel and Gaza?

Kamala Harris’ stance is not entirely clear on Gaza, which remains one of the most contentious issues among Democrats.

According to The Hill, citing polls, majority of Democratic voters believe Israel’s actions in Gaza over the past 10 months have been excessive following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Those attacks resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths, while Israel’s response has reportedly caused nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths.

Biden’s handling of the crisis has affected his political standing. During the Democratic primary, the “uncommitted” vote — a form of protest against Biden’s position — reached 19% in Minnesota and 13% in Michigan.

Advertisement Harris has shown some sympathy towards the Palestinians, pledging not to remain “silent” about civilian suffering after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Phoenix, she criticised an Israeli airstrike that reportedly killed over 80 people, stating that “far too many civilians” have been killed.

The key question now is whether Harris will propose a significant departure from Biden's policy.

The Hill reports that a lack of action could disappoint progressives seeking a US halt to arms sales to Israel. However, any steps towards progressive ideals could draw criticism from pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans, who generally support Israel.

Can she overcome the Biden administration's weaknesses on immigration?

Advertisement The Harris campaign has attempted to address what is perceived as a major weakness for the vice president by focusing on immigration.

Their campaign advertisements have highlighted Trump's role in blocking a bipartisan immigration reform proposal earlier this year, which would have increased Border Patrol agents—a move Harris supported, but Trump opposed, according to The Hill.

Despite these efforts, the Harris campaign faces difficulties in overcoming the broader immigration issue.

According to The Hill, polls show that immigration is one of Biden’s weakest areas, with voters disapproving of his performance by about a 2:1 ratio.

Democrats often counter Trump's assertion that Harris is Biden's “border czar” by emphasizing that such a position doesn't exist.

Nevertheless, Harris was heavily involved in border policy during the early days of the Biden administration and was frequently labeled the “border czar” by numerous media outlets.

Harris's emphasis on addressing the underlying causes of migration presents a formidable challenge, as tangible progress in this area is inherently difficult to quantify.

How will Harris perform in unscripted interviews and debates with Trump?

Harris’ strong critics, especially conservatives, have noticed her avoidance of sit-down interviews and full-scale news conferences since becoming the Democratic nominee.

According to The Hill report, she has pledged to grant an interview before the end of the month, and her performance will be closely scrutinized, with any missteps potentially jeopardizing her current momentum.

As of now, a debate scheduled for September 10 with Trump, hosted by ABC News, is set in stone. Additionally, a possible debate facilitated by NBC News is being considered, according to The Hill.

Harris’s team seems hesitant to agree to Trump’s suggestion for an additional debate on Fox News, added the report.

These debates will play a pivotal role in the final stages of the campaign, potentially impacting the outcome of the election.

Information compiled from various sources.