Staff Reports
Kamala Harris seems to be paddling in uncharted waters as she embarks on her latest presidential campaign. After two weeks of energetic stumping, her campaign website bears a gaping hole where actual policies should be. Apparently, for Harris, it’s just too hard to pin down what she actually believes, especially when the scrubbing of her radical record on crime, immigration, and energy is in full swing. Her methods resemble those of a magician pulling a disappearing act — poof! Here one minute, gone the next.
It hasn’t taken long for Harris’ campaign to turn into a shallow pool of rhetoric. While her peers have been busy outlining their positions, Harris has decided her best approach is to attach herself to lofty concepts like “freedom,” “democracy,” and “the future” — words that sound nice but leave a gaping void where specific policies should dwell. While it may sound impressive at first blush, it raises eyebrows when compared to Donald Trump’s concrete agenda of tax cuts, border enforcement, and a plan to reign in inflation. Harris seems to be relying on a fairytale narrative instead of any solid course of action, painting herself as the valiant protector of the people against “would-be authoritarians,” a not-so-subtle jab at her likely opponent.
Anyone else just hear "kama Kamala Chameleon?" https://t.co/roXH9Ju0q4
— Jared VFO (@JaredVFO) August 1, 2024
Considering her background, it’s no wonder that Harris is steering clear of discussing policy. Her track record on hot-button issues like immigration and the economy is far from pristine and would require an Olympic-sized leap of logic to defend. Republicans have rightfully called out her unbridled support for the disastrous border policies that have led to an unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants. This, combined with her past push for defunding the police, has left her scrambling to reshape her image. Especially amusing is her sudden tough stance on border security, which feels more like a desperate public relations move than a genuine policy shift.
More troubling for Harris is her lack of engagement with voters and the press. As she tries to star in her own coming-of-age movie, she remains cloistered away from unscripted interviews and press conferences, avoiding any tough questions that could lead to transparency. With an eager media willing to fawn over her every word, it seems Harris is more keen on crafting her narrative than facing reality. The absence of scrutiny might work in her favor for now, but who can say how long that will last as the campaign progresses.
As the political landscape becomes increasingly frothy with economic uncertainty, it does raise a key question: can Harris generate sufficient momentum based on nothing more than warm “vibes” and a carefully constructed persona? Her apparent refusal to address the implications of her past could allow Trump to paint her as a phony, a classic chameleon who adapts her colors to fit the political environment but lacks a core vision. And in a landscape rife with skepticism, the truth tends to outshine any veneer of charisma. Harris has her work cut out for her, and it’s evident that the clock is ticking down on the effectiveness of her carefully crafted image.
