Harris to Present Her ‘Pragmatic’ Economic Vision in Wednesday Speech

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to present her economic philosophy as “pragmatic” during a policy speech in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. According to a senior campaign official, Harris’s team believes she is closing the gap with former President Donald Trump regarding economic issues.

In her speech, Harris will emphasize that, as a capitalist, she recognizes the constraints of government intervention. She plans to advocate for a partnership between the government and the private sector, highlighting the importance of collaboration with entrepreneurs. Furthermore, she intends to assert her willingness to hold wrongdoers accountable when necessary.

Harris is expected to draw on the legacy of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose New Deal legislation helped lift the country from the Great Depression. This historical reference will strengthen her argument as she connects past solutions to current economic challenges, according to another senior campaign official.

In her remarks, the Vice President will share how her economic beliefs are grounded in her middle-class upbringing. This stands in stark contrast to Trump’s perspective, which she describes as a “gilded path to wealth.” This framing will serve as part of a broader argument about values, as articulated by the senior official.

“For Donald Trump, our economy works best if it benefits those who own the big skyscrapers, not those who build them, wire them, or clean their floors,” Harris intends to say during her address.

To highlight her personal connection to economic struggles, Harris will speak about the challenges her mother faced while trying to balance the budget at home, bringing to light the realities of making ends meet for many families.

Scheduled to take place at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh, this speech signifies a strategic opportunity for Harris and her advisors to diminish Trump’s perceived advantage on economic matters. They feel this is an important moment as many voters are just beginning to familiarize themselves with her approach.

A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll, conducted following the presidential debate earlier in the month, revealed that the economy is the foremost concern for voters, with an overwhelming 91% marking it as a significant issue. However, this same poll indicated that voters trusted Trump to handle economic matters better than Harris by a margin of seven points. Additionally, a recent NBC News poll indicated that Trump held a nine-point lead over Harris in terms of economic management.

Throughout her campaign, Harris has made it clear that the economy and rising living expenses are top priorities. She has introduced several initiatives, including a proposal to offer $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, increasing the small business start-up tax credit from $5,000 to $50,000, and advocating for a $6,000 child tax credit for infants during their first year.

Overall, Harris’s speech aims to redefine her economic narrative and strengthen her position among voters who prioritize economic stability and growth.