Vice President Kamala Harris is facing a delicate balancing act as she navigates her policy preferences while aligning with President Biden on certain issues and distancing herself on others. At a recent joint appearance with Biden at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland, Harris’ supporters expressed a desire for her to maintain some continuity with Biden’s policies while also asserting her own agenda.
Support for Biden’s Economic Policy
Despite some criticisms of Biden’s economic performance, Harris supporter Brian Galbraith acknowledged that the global economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic were not solely due to Biden’s policies. Galbraith emphasized the need to consider the broader context of economic difficulties, stating, “While we have been impacted significantly by the recent inflation, we need to take a look around and realize that everywhere has been. So, no matter who, Democrat or Republican, I think we still would have been facing these issues.”
Constance, another voter, expressed satisfaction with Biden’s economic policies but urged Harris to focus more on voter access issues. She emphasized the importance of a balanced approach, stating, “I want to see her try to follow some of his, but I also want to see her come into her own, like kind of a combination. I want to continue to see the economy do well. I want [Harris] to really focus on voting rights and human rights.”
Desire for Harris to Diverge on Certain Issues
While many Harris supporters expressed support for Biden’s economic policies, there were also calls for Harris to differentiate herself on specific issues. One attendee highlighted the importance of making legal immigration to the U.S. more accessible, stating, “I would like her to make it easier for immigrants to enter the country legally. I think there are a lot of poverty reduction programs that we need to have in place.”
Arvia Ross, another speech attendee, emphasized the need for Harris to assert her own perspectives on certain issues, stating, “I’d like to see her [distance herself]. … I would like to see her have a mind of her own on certain things.” This sentiment was echoed by Johnny and Nicolas, who advocated for a blend of Harris’ ideas and traditional Democratic principles. Johnny stated, “I think it should be a combination of both. I think she can bring her own ideas to the table.”
Striking a Balance Between Biden’s Policies and Harris’ Agenda
As Harris navigates her role as Vice President, there is a growing emphasis on finding a balance between aligning with Biden’s policies and asserting her own agenda. Nicolas emphasized the importance of integrating Harris’ policies while also respecting the Democratic Party’s core values, stating, “She’s free to include her own policies … not following the line of leadership and whatnot. But I know for the party and as a Democrat, a Democrat has certain policies that need to be focused on, so it should be a mix of the two.”
During their joint appearance, Harris and Biden rolled out the administration’s strategy for Medicare drug price cuts, signaling a collaborative effort on certain policy initiatives. Despite reports of Harris seeking “distance” from Biden’s policies, Biden himself expressed confidence in their alignment, stating that Harris is “not going to” distance herself from his economic policies.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris faces the challenge of balancing her policy preferences with President Biden’s agenda, navigating the complexities of aligning on some issues while diverging on others. As she continues to shape her role in the administration, Harris will need to strike a delicate balance between maintaining continuity with Biden’s policies and asserting her own vision for the future.