Kamala Harris, while running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020 with a liberal voting record, has since shifted some of her policy positions as the vice president. With the general election nearing, Harris may need independent voters to secure victory against former President Donald Trump. In the executive branch, Harris has reassessed many of her stances and made some policy shifts. The Biden-Harris administration has influenced her positions over the past three years, leading to changes in some of her views. Trump, on the other hand, has accused her of being a “chameleon” due to her evolving policy stances.
Despite being a month into her presidential campaign, Harris has not presented many new policies, but has altered her views on several issues since her first presidential run. Described as “pragmatic” by her campaign spokesperson, Harris plans to focus on common-sense solutions to drive progress. In terms of health care, while Harris previously supported Medicare for All, she will not advocate for single-payer government insurance as president. Instead, she aims to reduce healthcare costs through various means, including Medicare negotiating with drug manufacturers to lower drug prices.
During her 2019 campaign, Harris had initially expressed support for banning fracking, but the Harris campaign is now unclear about her stance. Trump has accused her of being against fracking and oil drilling, but the campaign highlights her support for clean energy and job growth in the energy sector under the Biden administration. Harris has emphasized a future with clean air, water, and affordable energy for all Americans, contrasting it with what she views as Trump’s favoritism towards oil and gas executives.
In terms of the Supreme Court, Harris had previously expressed openness to expanding the court while running for president. However, the Biden administration has proposed reforms such as term limits for justices and adherence to ethics rules, without including a court size expansion. The campaign does not provide detailed information on Harris’s current stance on this issue, focusing instead on supporting Biden’s proposed reforms. Overall, Harris’s positions have evolved over her time in office, with a focus on pragmatic solutions and common-sense progress.
As the general election approaches, Harris will likely need to appeal to a broad range of voters, including independents, to secure a victory against Trump. With shifts in her policy stances and a pragmatic approach to governance, Harris aims to address key issues such as healthcare and energy while promoting progress and sensible solutions. The Harris campaign has emphasized her leadership within the Biden administration and commitment to improving the lives of Americans through various policy initiatives. Voters will ultimately evaluate Harris based on her evolving positions and ability to deliver on her promises if elected president.
