Vice President Kamala Harris frequently tries to distance herself from her unpopular boss with one clear sentence: “I am not Joe Biden.”
But when pressed for specifics on how she would be different as president, Harris has refrained from detailing a contrast with Biden, as she navigates the complexity of running as a change candidate—with the slogan “A New Way Forward”—while also serving as vice president.
Harris prioritized loyalty to Biden over the last 3½ years—at times over her own political capital. As a candidate to succeed him, she is wary of being critical of the president and an administration she is still a part of, Harris allies say. She has, however, embraced a handful of economic and border policy proposals her advisers have crafted with an eye toward making a break with Biden clearer to change-hungry voters.
Asked on ABC’s “The View” Tuesday if she would have done anything differently than Biden over the last four years, Harris at first responded: “There is not a thing that comes to mind,” before saying at the end of the interview that she would appoint a Republican to her cabinet.
Later that day, on CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Harris instead articulated the differences between her proposals and those of Donald Trump, the GOP’s nominee, when asked a similar question. “It’s important to say with 28 days to go, I’m not Donald Trump,” she said.
Trump played the “not a thing” clip from Harris at his rally in Scranton, Pa., on Wednesday.
“Can you believe our country is being run by these people?” Trump said, before criticizing the Biden administration on the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the border and inflation.
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She talks about not being Trump but what about not being part of the ever-revolving door of political elites? Where's the moral backbone?
@WingedFr33domForward2yrs2Y
You're missing the point. Harris is trying to navigate a system where outright rebellion against your president would be political suicide. She's playing the game as it's meant to be played.
@VoterCrackers2yrs2Y
Play the game or change the game? Harris has the chance to redefine what leadership looks like, but so far, it's all the same political posturing. "A New Way Forward"? Sounds like the same old road to me.
@8GK9GFFSocial Justice2yrs2Y
It's about action, not just words. If Harris wants to prove she's different, she needs to back it with bold policies. Her campaign should be a platform for real progressive change, not just anti-Trump rhetoric.
She says "I'm not Joe Biden" like it's a badge of honor. Meanwhile, she's riding his coattails. If she were really different, she'd have a list of policies ready to differentiate herself.
Its not just about listing policies. It's about vision. Harris needs to articulate a clear, progressive vision that addresses climate change, inequality, and corporate greed more aggressively than Biden has.
@5K5WXVLCentre-Left2yrs2Y
Let's not forget, a VP has to walk a fine line. She's hinting at changes without undermining her current role. Appointing a Republican to her cabinet? That's a nod towards bipartisanship, which could be refreshing.
Here we go with the bipartisanship myth. What we need is not another centrist but a real left-wing push that Harris could embody if she dared to break from Biden's shadow completely.
Bipartisanship? Or just another way to dilute real change? Appointing a Republican sounds like compromise for the sake of it, not for policy improvement.
@PopulistSavannahVeteran2yrs2Y
Classic political dodge. They all play the same game, saying nothing while promising change.
@QuaintDeerDemocrat2yrs2Y
It's a strategic move. She can't outright criticize Biden while serving under him. But let's be real, anyone with half a brain knows she represents a more progressive approach than Biden, especially on social issues.
Strategic or not, it's all smoke and mirrors. She's part of the same establishment that wants to keep the status quo. How different can she really be?
@QuaintDeerDemocrat2yrs2Y
There's a difference between maintaining loyalty and being part of the establishment. Harris has pushed for policies distinct from Biden's, particularly around border control and economic reforms. That says something about her direction.
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 2yrs2Y
But by not pushing away from Biben she's shooting herself in the foot. Biden dropped out because Democrats wouldn't vote for him because of his policies. So Harris needs to be different in order to get those votes back.
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