Kamala Harris: Notable Goods and Bads
- davidcogd
- Aug 18, 2024
- 2 min read
Kamala Harris’ ascendance to the Democrat Party nomination has been controversial, to say the least. This ground has been covered by the major media as to the lack of democracy.
With Biden out, she no longer needs to follow a role of concealing Biden’s true condition.
Now in the spotlight, Harris has gained in the polls for the Democrats.
She presents herself well in rallies.
The communications are positive and upbeat. These personal qualities are attractive to potential voters.
Harris has apparently turned against some of her previous extreme positions on issues like illegal immigration and limited prosecution of criminal suspects.
Has she really learned something new, or is she just a leopard changing her spots ?
As Harris tries to create a new policy image, here is some of the baggage she carries into her candidacy:
Weak on Crime. During her tenure as San Francisco District Attorney from 2004 to 2011 Harris created an environment of minimal prosecution of criminal suspects. The policy favored release of subjects with little or no bail. The core downtown and outlying areas have since been hollowed out by gang robberies and homeless occupation. Many businesses have closed, including a Nordstrom flagship store.
Immigration. She was appointed “Border Czar” to manage the illegal immigration issue. (Yes, the words “Border Czar” were in Biden’s appointment, although Democrats now pretend it was not her title.) She basically neglected this role, making only one trip near a benign area of the border. She would defund ICE. Kamala Harris never met with or spoke to Raul Ortiz during his tenure as Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. That is neglect.
Inflation and Real Wages. Inflation was 16.8% accumulated from 2021 through 2023 under Biden-Harris, mostly due to excessive Federal Spending. Harris cast the deciding votes as president of the Senate to authorize this spending. The result is 10.8% lower real wages for the average worker. The average home price is up an incredible 51%.
So far, Harris has resisted any open interviews with the press. She avoids addressing press questions in public. It begs the question whether she is willing to speak without a script when it comes to policy issues she has previously expressed.
Can cheerful speeches overcome a lack of depth in policy and economics ?
The September debate with Trump will likely be a turning point for both candidates, however it goes.
David Hollaender August 18, 2024
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