San Francisco Chronicle’s Washington correspondent Shira Stein said during an appearance on CNN that Vice President Kamala Harris’ avoidance of economic “specifics” might actually resonate with swing voters, who may prefer a broader vision over detailed policy proposals. Stein’s comments came in response to CNN host Jake Tapper, who noted that Harris has not traditionally focused on economic issues throughout her career.
Harris began to roll out her economic policies in mid-August, facing criticism for proposals like a federal ban on corporate “price gouging” and a $25,000 housing plan for first-time homebuyers. Despite this, Stein suggested that not focusing on specifics could be a strategic move, as swing voters might not want detailed plans but instead seek reassurance that Harris understands their concerns.
So she (Shira Stein) said she is working on an article about how voters want to hear the vision and not the specifics for @vp Kamala Harris economic plan but in the same breath says VP isn't being specific enough in her vision.
Excuse me but what more did you want? She laid it… pic.twitter.com/VPUcM6ZPEx— WillBballin 🏀 🔥 (@willbballin) September 25, 2024
“That’s absolutely correct, Jake. But I think the point that I would make, and she would probably make, is that she has taken on some economic issues in her work as attorney general. [I] think price gouging sort of speaks to that. Although the problem that we’re encountering with all of these is we’re getting a vision of her economic agenda, of her policy agenda, we’re not getting specifics. Which may be a gamble that works,” Stein said.
Stein continued, “I‘m working on a story right now for The Chronicle about the specific things that would actually — like voters don’t want to hear specific. They just want to hear the vision. They want to understand that the person who is running for office understands that I’m going to [be] speaking to those issues. So while it may frustrate people here in Washington, it may actually work on the ground with swing voters.”
In a recent interview with Fox News, Hispanic business owner Rafael Arroyo stated that inflation has caused his business in Nevada to become “stagnant,” questioning why Harris or the Biden-Harris administration have not addressed the issue.
“I mean, some things we’re seeing double and triple the price. And, you know, it’s really hard to make any money like that. And I would just say to, you know, Harris and the Biden-Harris administration, if you had all these great ideas, why haven’t you done it?” Arroyo said.
Voters have polled that the economy, inflation, and immigration are their top concerns when it comes to voting this November, with Harris trailing behind former President Donald Trump on who voters believe could handle the issues. In an ABC News/Ipsos poll released on Sept. 15, Trump led on the economy by seven points and by 10 points on immigration.
