Opinion: The Strategic Silence of Kamala Harris a Calculated Campaign in a Crucial Time

[Social Media]

 

Harris has adopted a campaign strategy that is distinctively avoidant, characterized by a deliberate effort to evade press questioning and to retreat from previously held policy positions. This strategy has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism, yet it reveals a ruthless determination that could prove effective in a political landscape that often rewards shrewdness over transparency.

 

In what some observers describe as a ruthless move, Harris has systematically subtracted from her policy positions, shedding commitments that once defined her political identity. This is most evident in her quiet adoption of Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate taxes on tips, a policy she initially seemed poised to oppose. By co-opting this policy, Harris avoids the need to publicly criticize it, demonstrating a willingness to adapt and recalibrate her platform in pursuit of broader electoral appeal.

 

If her campaign strategy succeeds, it will showcase at least one quality that is undeniably useful in a commander in chief: the ability to navigate the treacherous waters of political competition with a level of ruthlessness that leaves little room for sentimentality.

 

Donald Trump, in stark contrast, has inundated the public with an overwhelming volume of unscripted statements, offering voters a window into his thinking, however chaotic it may appear. During a recent two-hour conversation with Elon Musk on the social media platform X, Trump continued his characteristic verbal onslaught, allowing glimpses of what retired Marine General Frank McKenzie, a figure not necessarily aligned with Trump, describes in his memoir as a “rational,” “focused,” and “measured” approach to evaluating evidence and advice.

 

While the media has often fixated on Trump’s propensity for lying, his sheer verbosity has a democratic virtue: it provides voters with nearly unlimited access to the thoughts of someone who aspires to lead them. This contrasts sharply with Harris’s more reticent public persona, which offers little insight into her views on critical issues.

 

Trump’s public statements, whether accurate or not, touch on substantive issues that resonate with voters. For instance, he recently acknowledged the low participation rate of Christian voters as a potential weakness in his coalition, suggesting a return to same-day, in-person voting as a remedy. He also predicted a financial “bloodbath” in the auto sector, a warning tied to current U.S. electric vehicle policies. These are concrete, if controversial, positions that give voters something tangible to consider.

 

Harris, on the other hand, has not provided a similar level of engagement with the public. If she possesses a nuanced understanding of complex realities, her campaign has made a deliberate choice to obscure it from view. This strategic silence forces voters to make decisions with limited information, a risky gamble in a political climate where trust and transparency are increasingly in demand.

 

Harris’s campaign is not without its dangers. Millions of American voters are acutely aware of the wider world and understand that events, not presidents, ultimately hold sway. These voters value the ineffable quality of presidential judgment, a trait that is difficult to define but unmistakable when present. By running a low-profile campaign, Harris is asking these voters to place their trust in her without the usual reassurances that come from open and robust discourse.

This approach is a bold experiment, one that could either solidify her candidacy or reveal a significant vulnerability.

 

In a moment of speculation earlier this year, amid concerns over Joe Biden’s health, some wondered whether Harris might emerge as a hidden and late-blooming talent. However, despite the recent surge in media attention, evidence of such a transformation remains elusive.

 

The so-called Kamala “bubble” has yet to translate into widespread belief in her leadership abilities. Her job approval rating remains at 44%, slightly better than Biden’s but still indicative of a significant portion of the electorate that remains unconvinced.

 

Nate Cohn, a polling expert from The New York Times, has suggested that Harris’s campaign will need to provide voters with something substantial to hold onto as the political winds inevitably shift. However, it is possible that Harris’s team may choose to stick with their current strategy, relying on a campaign of one-liners and scripted banter to carry her through to November 5. This approach, while unconventional, could sustain her candidacy in the short term, but it also risks leaving voters feeling disconnected from the candidate they are being asked to support.

 

One particularly concerning example of this disconnect is the portrayal of Harris in the media as riding a wave of support that is largely devoid of substance. This perception could become a liability as the election draws closer and voters seek more meaningful engagement on the issues that matter most.

 

In contrast, Trump’s campaign, for all its flaws, provides voters with a clear and often provocative stance on critical issues. When Trump talks about the importance of deterrence in foreign policy or the need for a realistic approach to the conflict in Ukraine, he is addressing concerns that resonate with a significant portion of the electorate. His comments on Taiwan’s precarious position, while controversial, reflect a willingness to engage with difficult truths that the current administration prefers to sidestep.

 

Presidential campaigns serve a dual purpose: they introduce voters to the candidates and acquaint them with the realities they will face. Harris’s campaign, by opting for a strategy of avoidance, risks depriving voters of the information they need to make an informed decision. This is particularly troubling in an election where global peace and prosperity are at greater risk than ever before, yet receive less discussion than they deserve.

 

As the election approaches, Harris is likely to focus on issues like abortion, a topic that undoubtedly resonates with many voters but may not be sufficient to carry her through the entire campaign. In the remaining days, Trump could challenge Harris to broaden the scope of her campaign and address the pressing issues that will shape the future of the country and the world.

 

In the end, voters want to know what they are getting in a commander in chief. Harris’s avoidant campaign strategy may be ruthlessly efficient, but it also leaves much to the imagination. Whether this approach will ultimately succeed or falter remains to be seen, but it underscores the high stakes of an election that could determine the direction of the nation for years to come.

 

Credit: WSJ  2024-08-16

 

 

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[Tug]

She’s been just a bit busy with the campaign and the wonderful up beat appearance with President Biden today announcing billions in Medicare drug price savings.as far as trump running his mouth every day and not campaigning….well give him enough rope to hang himsielf comes to mind.same goes for Vance he’s on a roll offending our women lol 😂 

[EVENKEEL]

The media is doing a good job protecting her.

[JustMyOpinion]

27 minutes ago, Tug said:

She’s been just a bit busy with the campaign and the wonderful up beat appearance with President Biden today announcing billions in Medicare drug price savings.as far as trump running his mouth every day and not campaigning….well give him enough rope to hang himsielf comes to mind.same goes for Vance he’s on a roll offending our women lol 😂 

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, JustMyOpinion said:

And I'm sure that musk would be just as hard-hitting and ferocious in his interview with Harris as he was with Trump.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

In what some observers describe as a ruthless move, Harris has systematically subtracted from her policy positions, shedding commitments that once defined her political identity. This is most evident in her quiet adoption of Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate taxes on tips, a policy she initially seemed poised to oppose. By co-opting this policy, Harris avoids the need to publicly criticize it, demonstrating a willingness to adapt and recalibrate her platform in pursuit of broader electoral appeal.

In other words, Harris has nothing worth saying, and is just going to copy Trump's policies.

 

The debate is certainly going to be interesting, if she doesn't find some excuse to avoid it.

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

In other words, Harris has nothing worth saying, and is just going to copy Trump's policies.

 

The debate is certainly going to be interesting, if she doesn't find some excuse to avoid it.

You mean she plans to destroy Obamacare? She going to stop the push towards renewable energy? She is going to abandon the Ukrainians? She's going to push for lower taxes on corporations? 

[stevenl]

3 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

The media is doing a good job protecting her.

Trump lost in 2020 to a guy hiding in the basement because he continuously shot himself in the foot. The same scenario could be in the making here, trump losing because he continuously shoots himself in the foot. He is basically campaigning on her behalf.

[thaipo7]

7 hours ago, Tug said:

She’s been just a bit busy with the campaign and the wonderful up beat appearance with President Biden today announcing billions in Medicare drug price savings.as far as trump running his mouth every day and not campaigning….well give him enough rope to hang himsielf comes to mind.same goes for Vance he’s on a roll offending our women lol 😂 

She can announce anything she wants, just  as she can say anything that she wants.  She can flip flop now for votes and the flip flop back to her real commie self.   Are you a low information voter or a zealot for the Marxist Democrat Party.

[mfd101]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The debate is certainly going to be interesting

Yes. Between the policy-free Kamala and the senile, aggressive, racist, nasty Donald it's going to be fascinating to watch (though I'm thinking I'll need something strongish to drink to get me thru the whole show).

[newnative]

      Plenty of time until the election, and, meanwhile, what she is doing now is working.  So fun watching Trump gnash his teeth to nubs.   Let her get her sea legs but even then she should be the anti-Trump and be sparing with interviews.  Less is more.  Devote her time to winning the swing states.  

[Eric Loh]

Her polls have skyrocketed and trending upwards even before the DNC. Whatever is her strategy, more the same please. Trump is floundering in rallies and press conferences. 

[novacova]

13 hours ago, Social Media said:

Harris has adopted a campaign strategy that is distinctively avoidant, characterized by a deliberate effort to evade press questioning and to retreat from previously held policy positions.

Why would any US political candidate that has no depth of knowledge and understanding of the issues that the US is faced with want to engage and answer questions with the press?

13 hours ago, Social Media said:

In what some observers describe as a ruthless move, Harris has systematically subtracted from her policy positions, shedding commitments that once defined her political identity. This is most evident in her quiet adoption of Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate taxes on tips, a policy she initially seemed poised to oppose. By co-opting this policy, Harris avoids the need to publicly criticize it, demonstrating a willingness to adapt and recalibrate her platform in pursuit of broader electoral appeal.

There it is, finally someone has the courage to cite the convoluted contradictions of the left.

[nauseus]

10 hours ago, placeholder said:

And I'm sure that musk would be just as hard-hitting and ferocious in his interview with Harris as he was with Trump.

 

We'll never know because she's oh so ruthless. 

[nana kid]

Onward MAGA Morons

[Hanaguma]

I can't blame her if it is effective. But I DO blame the corporate media for eagerly going along. They are forgetting their mandate to aggressively pursue the truth, even at the price of losing their chummy status with the candidate. 

[maesariang]

8 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

She can announce anything she wants, just  as she can say anything that she wants.  She can flip flop now for votes and the flip flop back to her real commie self.   Are you a low information voter or a zealot for the Marxist Democrat Party.

Kamala said she will hit the ground running on day 1. Day 1 was in 2021 and she hasn't moved past a walk. If she wins the next 4 years of excuse making will make for interesting viewing from comedians. Either candidate gives the comedians plenty of material.

[Cryingdick]

Obviously going forward we are going to need to have some ground rules for campaigns and elections. This is getting close to having AI deep fakes controlling us. Reminds me of how the government worked in the film "the running man".  Get me the justice department  on the phone, entertainment division. Corny old film it's a great watch if you haven't seen it.

 

Kamala has stolen one of the dumber ideas out there about taxing tips because it might help her in Nevada. Apparently she is going to unveil some scheme for price controls later today. Lol these people think they are God. If she could control prices why didn't she do it by now? 

 

Meanwhile Trump rambles on like a lunatic and putting on the same tiresome show. I heard a little of a news conference he did yesterday and he seemed to be back on script. But is this type of opacity remains in elections we are headed for bad news. What's next one day you just get appointed the nominee and all the public knows is you have an avatar and donations page? 

 

 

[honcho]

its better to say nothing and have people think you are a fool, than open your mouth and rmove all doubt!! klamidea to a tee

[thaibeachlovers]

I saw a "rally" or something by Harris on Al Jazeera this morning. Not sure what it was, as not enough people to be an actual rally, and she wasn't taking questions so it wasn't a news conference.

There was a sort of big box behind her with about 50 people in it, and a gaggle of about 25 people in front taking VDOs with their phones. The camera crew did not attempt to show the audience in the room itself, so I can only surmise there wasn't any.

 

If that was a Trump address, it would have thousands of supporters in a big tent or such like.

 

As for what she said, it can't have been important as I don't remember any of it. Just the usual say nothing except slogans.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Apparently she is going to unveil some scheme for price controls later today. Lol these people think they are God. If she could control prices why didn't she do it by now? 

That seems to be one of the questions the MSM never ask the chosen one. Might prove embarrassing.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Meanwhile Trump rambles on like a lunatic and putting on the same tiresome show.

You'd have to have watched it to know, so the obvious question is why would you watch something you assumed would be tiresome?

[Cryingdick]

44 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

You'd have to have watched it to know, so the obvious question is why would you watch something you assumed would be tiresome?

I watch in the hope he might change it up and get himself back in the race. You realize I am not a fan of Kamala right? I begin to wonder if many posters here even know who they respond to. But yeah Trump has been losing it lately. It comes on when i am watching the five or Brett Baer. 

 

It's not any big secret that many people are saying he has become boring, repetitive and unhinged lately. He seems to be losing his fastball. He did better reading from notes the other night.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

I watch in the hope he might change it up and get himself back in the race. You realize I am not a fan of Kamala right? I begin to wonder if many posters here even know who they respond to. But yeah Trump has been losing it lately. It comes on when i am watching the five or Brett Baer. 

He's never going to change. We see what Trump is, not the carefully manufactured facade that is a normal politician.

 

Far as I can see he's the same as he always was, so don't get where he's losing it. Perhaps you can give us an example.

 

 

Good to read that you haven't swallowed the BS that Harris is the chosen one. We don't really know anything about her as she's been hiding the past 3 1/2 years and says nothing much even now. Hard to know when she takes no questions at a news conference.

[Cryingdick]

8 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

He's never going to change. We see what Trump is, not the carefully manufactured facade that is a normal politician.

 

Far as I can see he's the same as he always was, so don't get where he's losing it. Perhaps you can give us an example.

 

 

Good to read that you haven't swallowed the BS that Harris is the chosen one. We don't really know anything about her as she's been hiding the past 3 1/2 years and says nothing much even now. Hard to know when she takes no questions at a news conference.

 

Maybe he is the same as ever. He is rambling on for long amounts of time lately. He should take a page from the Harris campaign. Stay on script and seek shade. Even Fox doesn't cover his entire events anymore like they used to. I hope he beats Kamala but he has already made his case. Kamala's price fixing scheme wasn't well received let her  talk for awhile. The more Trump talks the less interesting he is becoming.

[thaibeachlovers]

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Maybe he is the same as ever. He is rambling on for long amounts of time lately. He should take a page from the Harris campaign. Stay on script and seek shade. Even Fox doesn't cover his entire events anymore like they used to. I hope he beats Kamala but he has already made his case. Kamala's price fixing scheme wasn't well received let her  talk for awhile. The more Trump talks the less interesting he is becoming.

Trump's base don't go to his rallies to hear him keep on script. They go to hear him rubbish the opposition and the MSM.

He's being an entertainer not a politician.

 

If his base didn't like his speeches they wouldn't turn up in the thousands. Meanwhile Harris can't get enough supporters to fill a small room when she says not much at all.

[Tug]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Trump's base don't go to his rallies to hear him keep on script. They go to hear him rubbish the opposition and the MSM.

He's being an entertainer not a politician.

 

If his base didn't like his speeches they wouldn't turn up in the thousands. Meanwhile Harris can't get enough supporters to fill a small room when she says not much at all.

His act is getting stale we need a leader not an old senile felon fraud and failure 

[Cryingdick]

6 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Trump's base don't go to his rallies to hear him keep on script. They go to hear him rubbish the opposition and the MSM.

He's being an entertainer not a politician.

 

If his base didn't like his speeches they wouldn't turn up in the thousands. Meanwhile Harris can't get enough supporters to fill a small room when she says not much at all.

 

Nobody goes to hsi events except his base. His mindless, rambling, recycled version of his greatest hits isn't convincing the people he needs to reach. The only really hope now is Kamala gravitates closer to stupidville than she already is. She did a good job of that today. I can tell you right now that even in deep red Trump country where I live in the USA there isn't a feeling amongst my MAGA neighbors that a win is likely if the path remains the same.

[JustMyOpinion]

23 hours ago, placeholder said:

You mean she plans to destroy Obamacare? She going to stop the push towards renewable energy? She is going to abandon the Ukrainians? She's going to push for lower taxes on corporations? 

No... she is going to sell white guy tacos... tuna and mayo  Tim Walz: “I have white guy tacos.” Kamala Harris: “What does that mean? Mayonnaise and tuna?”

[earlinclaifornia]

The criticizing is a day late.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/16/business/harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation/index.html

 

On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris said she has a solution: a federal ban on price gouging across the food industry.

“My plan will include new penalties for opportunistic companies that exploit crises and break the rules,” Harris said at a campaign event.