Kamala’s Lukewarm Agenda

In the lead-up to her televised debate with Donald Trump, Kamala Harris's campaign released an issues document titled 'A New Way Forward.' This document comes at a critical time, as recent polling indicates a tight race between the two candidates nationally and in key battleground states. The issues document reflects a strategic shift, as it avoids emphasizing race, gender, and sexuality, which were prominent in previous campaigns. Instead, it focuses on economic populism, maintaining Biden's pro-union stance and supporting the PRO Act to empower American workers. However, the document raises concerns regarding Harris's approach to immigration, a key issue for voters. Despite the urgency of the immigration crisis, the document's proposals appear insufficient and lack credibility. Harris's support for a bipartisan border-security bill, which has faced criticism for allowing high levels of illegal crossings, suggests a reluctance to adopt a more stringent stance. The executive order version of the bill, signed by Biden, sets a high threshold for presidential intervention, potentially allowing hundreds of thousands of newcomers to enter the country without adequate response. The absence of the term 'tariff' in the document is also notable, indicating a cautious approach to trade policy that may not adequately address the needs of American manufacturing. This omission reflects a broader hesitation within the Democratic Party to embrace traditional economic strategies that have historically supported productivity and prosperity. Overall, the issues document presents a mixed picture of Harris's policy priorities, revealing both an attempt to distance herself from past controversies and a struggle to address pressing voter concerns effectively.