First of all let me say this – I’m beyond excited about the possibility of Kamala Harris as President. I think it’s time for a woman of color to be Commander in Chief and I think Harris is the right person for this moment in our country’s history. I’m all in.
However…she has some work to do. Both parties have had their moments to shine at their conventions and each gotten a bump in the polls. With a little over 70 days left till the election – the race starts now.
To me, Presidential elections are decided by two things: The economy and a (plus one). What does that mean? Well, the economy is always #1. ALWAYS. But an important social issue such as abortion, immigration, war, etc can push the polls one way or another. But here’s what’s certain – every Presidential election is always about the Economy. Period.
What’s this year’s +1? Maybe abortion (freedom of choice) or maybe immigration. For Democrats our +1 is a woman’s right to choose and access to make that choice. But the situation in Gaza could certainly become a +1 as well. For Republicans their +1 is immigration. Now, will one of these be strong enough to push a candidate over the top? We will see. But here’s what’s certain – the Economy is the issue that will decide this race.
We all know that Trump is a dumpster fire. Honestly, if the GOP had a “normal” candidate I think they’d win, and win big. Because the economy is not good. Ok – I said that out loud. It seems that every Democrat I know is telling me that the economy is great. “The stock market has doubled in the last 4 years!” they say. Well, I don’t own any stocks and I barely have any retirement so the stock market doesn’t mean much to me and for many Americans this is the same. The stock market is for the rich. Yes, it is true, in the last 4 years the rich have dramatically increased their wealth but that doesn’t mean the economy is in good shape. For me – and many like me – I’m barely making it. Barely able to buy groceries. Barely able to pay my mortgage. Barely.
We talk a lot about inflation and we all know it’s bad. But inflation is coming down – which is great news for everyone! But that doesn’t tell the whole story. I loved this Sky news report out of the UK that explains what we are all feeling. The UK and the US are nearly identical in inflation and consumer prices so I think this applies to us as well. And here’s what this is saying – while inflation is going down, the impact of inflation over the past 4 years has meant a 20% increase in the prices of…well…everything. Mortgages +20%. Groceries +20%. School Supplies +20%. Restaurants +20%. Clothing +20%. And while wages have gone up, they haven’t gone up nearly 20% of most of us. Not. Even. Close.
And this is what I’m talking about when I say “the economy is not great.” Most Americans feel that things are extremely hard right now. And they are. And here’s Harris’ dilemma. She’s actually part of the Biden administration so she can’t quite criticize Biden much in order to distance herself from the past 4 years. It would help her if she could. It’s a really strange dynamic she has.
Now, Trump may be a complete disaster but the Republican party is perceived as being better for the economy. As Democrats – we know this is not true. But perception is reality and the big money Republican machine will go to work now and, if they have to, they will work around Trump.
I know VP Harris is beginning to role out some economic policies – but in my opinion, she needs more – she needs economic vision. And she should be talking about the economy much more than she is. Her acceptance speech was fantastic but thin on real policy – too thin for me. It seems she is positioning herself as “the Democrat nominee that is better than Donald Trump.” I know that’s a strategy. It may work. Trump may just be so much of a blubbering basket case that he sabotages any chance he has at winning. But if he gets on point and begins to fire away at the economy then Harris has a problem.
I think the American people need to see Harris empathize with them. I think we need to stop talking about “how great Kamala is and how ready she is to be President” and talk about how she is going to change the economic reality for American workers. I think we need her to come out and talk a lot about the pain of the working American in a way that makes us feel like she understands the economic pressures we are under and she’s willing to fight the very gates of hell to pull us out of the water we are drowning in. I know she’s done a bit of this – but for me, not enough. In my opinion, this should be her primary messaging for the next 70 days. Yes – she needs to hammer home her position on Gaza and to restore the freedom of choice but what is going to push her to victory is her economic messaging. I want to see not only her policy but her vision for the American economy and the American worker. In my opinion, that’s what will turn undecided’s. That’s what will flip moderate Republicans. I love her messaging of an “Opportunity Economy” but now we need to see what that means, specifically and not only in writing – but with stories and connections to everyday Americans.
While we may all want what’s good for “us.” We also want what’s good for “me.” And no one should be judged or denigrated for asking our politicians “what’s in this for me?” Because all interest is self-interest and that’s ok. Messaged right – Harris has an incredible opportunity to capture the hearts of Americans and bring home victory in November if she can not only show what she’s fighting against – but what she’s fighting for – you and me.
NC Progressives 