Vice President Kamala Harris' past liberal stances have been brought back into the spotlight as she positions herself for a potential run for president in 2024. While some pundits and media outlets seek to downplay her previous views, others argue that they could be a liability in a general election.
Vice President Kamala Harris' past liberal stances have become a topic of debate as she considers a potential run for president in 2024. While media outlets and pundits have attempted to frame these views as mere accusations from Republicans and former President Trump, others contend that they could pose a challenge to her candidacy.
In the 2020 presidential campaign, Harris expressed support for banning fracking, abolishing the filibuster to pass the Green New Deal, and expanding the Supreme Court. She also advocated for mandatory gun buybacks and a conversation on expanding the Supreme Court.
Kamala Harris' Liberal Past: An Issue in 2024 Presidential Race?
However, in recent months, Harris has moderated her stances on some of these issues. She has pledged not to ban fracking, a key issue in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. She and President Biden have also called for reforms to the Supreme Court that do not include adding justices.
Some media outlets have downplayed Harris' previous liberal views, suggesting that they are simply attacks from her opponents. The New York Times reported that the GOP was "weaponizing" Harris' past statements, while Politico initially ran a headline stating that the accusation that Harris supported a fracking ban was made by Trump. Politico later updated the headline.
Kamala Harris' Liberal Past: An Issue in 2024 Presidential Race?
Others argue that Harris' past liberalism could be a liability in a general election. Conservative pundits have sought to paint her as a "left-wing radical" who is out of step with swing voters. They point to her past support for defunding the police and her opposition to certain border security measures.
Liberals have defended Harris, arguing that she is a moderate Democrat who has a strong record of working with Republicans. Sunny Hostin, a liberal co-host on "The View," has called Harris a "law and order candidate" who is not truly leftist.
Kamala Harris' Liberal Past: An Issue in 2024 Presidential Race?
The debate over Harris' past liberalism is likely to continue as she weighs a potential run for president in 2024. While some pundits believe that her past views could hurt her chances of winning a general election, others argue that she can successfully navigate the issue and appeal to a broad range of voters.
However, Harris' past as a prosecutor and her time in the Senate Judiciary Committee may be able to counter the accusations of being too liberal. Additionally, her moderate stances on certain issues, such as not banning fracking, may appeal to swing voters.
Kamala Harris' Liberal Past: An Issue in 2024 Presidential Race?
