Gen Z's Perception of Kamala Harris' Political Stance

Ethan Watson, a contributor to RealClearPolitics, has expressed his views on Kamala Harris' recent shift in political approach. He notes how Harris has revitalized the Democratic party after replacing Joe Biden. Her campaign, initially filled with light-hearted elements like twerking rappers and humorous videos, has now taken a serious turn. After facing media pressure, Harris has now shared her stance on America's pressing issues, giving Gen Z voters a chance to evaluate each presidential candidate based on their policies.

Gen Z's Initial Attraction to Harris

Watson expressed his surprise at how his generation, known for spotting inauthenticity, was drawn to Harris' playful campaign. Gen Z voters were attracted to Harris' light and fun approach, which offered a break from the previous eight years of political hostility. Her concerts and amusing videos were a refreshing change from the usual political discourse. Harris' supporters found her approach enjoyable, even if it was blatant pandering.

Harris' Strategy with Young Voters

By presenting young voters with harmless content, Harris was able to distract them from her inconsistent stance on issues and her support for radical policies such as an unrealized capital gains tax. Her representatives avoided answering questions on air, claiming she was too occupied for an interview. Despite this, a significant number of young voters, 58.7% of those aged 18-34, viewed her favorably after the DNC in August.

Scrutinizing Harris' Policies

However, Harris' policies are now in the limelight and Watson urges Gen Z to scrutinize them. He mentions how his generation is adept at identifying falsehoods, and encourages them to apply the same scrutiny to Harris' policies. He points out that if Gen Z is unhappy with the country's direction, as indicated by a Spring 2024 Harvard Youth Poll, they should consider that parts of Harris' new “Issues” page were copied from Joe Biden's campaign site.

Gen Z's Concerns

Watson also highlights that 53% of Gen Z voters believe there is a severe crisis at the southern border, a border that Harris oversaw as border czar. He questions whether she is the right candidate to address this issue. He also notes Gen Z's dissatisfaction with the economy and points out that Harris' economic policies mirror those of Joe Biden. He questions whether her proposed policies, such as a $25,000 first-time homebuyer handout and a plan to raise the tax on long-term capital gains to 28%, will truly benefit young people.

Bottom Line

Watson concludes by urging his generation to critically evaluate Kamala Harris' policies now that she has shifted from her initial light-hearted approach. He challenges Gen Z to consider whether Harris truly represents a change from the status quo or if she is simply a continuation of Joe Biden's policies. He ends by posing the question: Can Gen Z apply the same scrutiny to Harris as they do in all other aspects of life? What are your thoughts on this perspective? Do you agree with Watson's viewpoint? Share this article with your friends and let's get the conversation started. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.