Harris' 'safe' campaign frustrates progressive outlet: 'She doesn't seem to have any clear positions'

The New Republic criticized Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign for being too cautious in discussing her policies before the November election.

Alex Shephard, the outlet's senior editor, stated that the strategy of letting the media promote a campaign on good "vibes" is no longer effective. He declared that the "honeymoon is over" and argued that Harris' approach made her appear as an empty suit.

"Having too few policies is also risky, as it makes Harris appear as though she lacks a clear stance," Shephard wrote in his Tuesday article, "Kamala Harris Can't Keep Running Like This."

"Seven weeks after Kamala Harris's ascension to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, panic returned to the party on Sunday," Shephard wrote.

Trump's "slim lead over Harris nationally" and their "dead heat" in swing states, as shown in a New York Times poll, indicates that the momentum that sustained Harris since President Biden withdrew from the race has dissipated, according to him.

The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is reportedly very close, with CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten stating last week that it's the closest election in a "generation." If Trump were to outperform polling by just one point, he would win the election.

Shephard criticized Harris' strategy, stating that the declining polls indicate her team's "failure."

"Despite Harris replacing Biden, the election remained close. However, the recent tightening of polls suggests that Harris's campaign has failed. She had two months to demonstrate her identity and stance to voters, but instead, she played it safe, avoiding controversial policies to maintain the positive energy of the summer."

"He stated that the approach is no longer effective, though he acknowledged that Harris has "plenty of time" to turn things around if she stops being cautious and publicly breaks away from Joe Biden."

Harris was grilled by Shephard for abandoning her progressive stances on issues during the election and not replacing them with anything substantial.

"He wrote that she abandoned her progressive views during the 2020 presidential race, including gun buybacks, a fracking ban, and Medicare for All, without revealing her current stance, in order to avoid an aggressive policy agenda that could lead to criticism."

The author contended that her lack of clear policy positions made it difficult for people to understand her stance, and her limited policy points were subject to intense scrutiny and criticism.

"Economists across the political spectrum criticized her price-gouging solution, while her tip policy has faced criticism because it was first adopted by Trump."

The editor advised Harris to "demonstrate a positive agenda" and "step out of Biden's shadow" during the debate on Tuesday night.

"The polls indicate that the summer honeymoon has ended. This upcoming debate presents Harris with an opportunity to change the polls in her favor and establish her identity to undecided voters. However, it will also necessitate her taking uncomfortable and potentially controversial positions," he concluded. "Harris can no longer rely on political gains without taking any risks."