Kamala Harris faced backlash after an interview on Friday, where critics argued that she sidestepped a question about her economic policies and how she plans to lower prices for Americans.
In her first solo television interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris was asked by Brian Taff of Philadelphia’s 6 ABC to provide specific plans for addressing rising costs.
Harris responded by talking about her upbringing in a middle-class family, highlighting her mother’s hard work and her neighborhood’s sense of pride.
She emphasized that her policies focus on creating an “opportunity economy,” which includes supporting hard-working Americans and fostering small businesses.
“I grew up a middle-class kid,” Harris said, before recounting her experiences growing up with a working mother and living in a community of construction workers, nurses, and teachers.
Oh my goodness this is an absolute train wreck.
Reporter: What are your specific plans to bring down prices?
Kamala: "I grew up a middle class kid… I grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn. Ya know?"pic.twitter.com/lhOdWoygy2
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 13, 2024
She framed her economic vision around investing in the “ambitions and aspirations” of Americans. However, she did not directly address the question of how her policies would reduce prices.
Harris cited some of her proposals, such as a $50,000 tax deduction for small business startups and $25,000 in down payment assistance for new homebuyers, as examples of her plan to create more economic opportunities.
Her critics were quick to note that she did not specifically mention how these initiatives would tackle inflation or bring down everyday costs.
The response to Harris’s comments was swift on social media.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung mocked the interview, calling Harris a “complete joke,” while other commentators criticized her for not providing concrete solutions.
This is not a parody. This is actual real life… the real @KamalaHarris.
And she's a complete joke. https://t.co/4qL3DzB2iF
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) September 13, 2024
National Review’s Noah Rothman commented that Harris managed to talk for “90 straight seconds” without saying anything meaningful about the question.
It takes some species of talent to filibuster for 90 straight seconds while saying nothing of all of value. https://t.co/CAdmRvDVG4
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 13, 2024
Conservative podcast host Stephen L. Miller also pointed out that Harris had used similar language in a previous debate.
She repeated this canned rehearsed line twice in the debate. https://t.co/cJdXsPSP7d
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 13, 2024
David Hookstead from Outkick sarcastically remarked that he often thinks about lawn care when discussing inflation, mocking Harris’s reference to neighborhood pride in lawns during the interview.
Ah, yes, I often find myself thinking who has a nice lawn when discussing plans to deal with inflation.
We’re doomed if Kamala wins. https://t.co/De8vvfTGlP
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) September 13, 2024
The overall reaction reflected frustration with Harris’s focus on her background rather than specific policy details.
This latest incident mirrors a previous moment during a debate when Harris was asked by ABC News moderator David Muir if Americans are better off economically than they were four years ago.
“So I was raised as a middle-class kid,” Harris responded at the debate. “And I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America. I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people, and that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy.”
MUIR: "Do you believe that Americans are better off than they were four years ago."
KAMALA: "I was raised as a middle class kid…" pic.twitter.com/ilmYxqXdnh
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 11, 2024
Rather than directly answering the question, Harris again spoke about her upbringing and general economic plans.
She emphasized that she was the only candidate with a plan to uplift the middle class, but critics noted that her proposals lacked detail.
With rising inflation and economic concerns looming large for many voters, Harris’s vague responses have raised questions about her ability to address these issues.
As the 2024 election approaches, economic policy remains a crucial topic.
While Harris continues to highlight her personal experiences and broad economic goals, many Americans are seeking more specific solutions to the financial challenges they face.
Political commentators have noted that Harris’s communication style on these topics might be a point of vulnerability as she campaigns for the presidency.
Economic issues, particularly inflation and rising prices, will likely be central to voters’ concerns in the coming months.
You need to watch the full 11 minute local news interview Kamala did tonight. This is her first solo interview since she became the nominee on July 21st & it’s an unmitigated disaster. This person does not have the ability to be president. Watch: pic.twitter.com/9adKPvtiPs
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 14, 2024
Do you expect a full blown Communist to answer economic questions?
Toning down the attacks at the moment to soft peddle her BS!
So I get it ..comrade Harris is saying…instead of worrying about people trying to destroy us and the last free country in the world…we should just go out and mow our grass..you can’t beat logic like that…and remember you are in trusting your safety and protection to someone who thinks like that..wow..ha ha ha…also she said that not one soldier is in a war zone that all these soldiers being killed are just accidents..un huh ..?..she is also asking important questions like what’s this red button do..the one that says “launch “…does it mean we want to order lunch..?…when you vote please use common sense
So true what you point out!
They want nice controlled zombies that swallow all their Marxist SHIT!
Father in heaven send out your power and glory to crush these demonic wicked souls in our government and those who work with them behind the scene and send them into hell.
Full prayer to Archangel Saint Michael
“Most glorious prince of the heavenly hosts, Archangel St Michael, defend us in the battle and in the tremendous struggle we carry on against the Principalities and Powers, against the rulers of the world of darkness and all evil spirits. Come to the help of man, whom God created immortal, fashioned to His own image and likeness, and rescued at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. With the great army of the holy angels fight today the battle of the Lord as thou didst of old fight against Lucifer, the leader of the proud, and his apostate angels, who were powerless against thee, and they had no longer a place in Heaven; and that monster, the old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, that seduces the whole world, was cast into hell with his angels.
But now that first enemy and homicide has regained his insolent boldness. Taking on the appearance of an angel of light, he has invaded the earth, and with his whole train of evil spirits he is prowling about among men, striving to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to capture, to destroy, to drag to eternal perdition the souls destined to the crown of eternal glory. That malignant dragon is pouring abroad, like a foul stream, into the souls of men of ruined intellect and corrupt heart the poison of his wickedness, the spirit of lying, of impiety and blasphemy, the pestilent breath of impurity and of all vice and iniquity. Most cunning enemies have filled with bitterness and drenched with gall the Church, the Spouse of the Lamb without spot, and have lifted impious hands against all that is most sacred in it. Even in the holy place where the See of Blessed peter and the chair of truth was set up to enlighten the world, they have raised the abominable throne of their impiety with the iniquitous hope that the Shepherd may be stricken and the flock scattered abroad.
Arise, then, unconquerable Prince, defend the people of God against the assaults of the reprobate spirits, and give them the victory. Holy Church reveres thee as its guardian and patron; it glories in thee as its defender against the malignant powers of hell; to thee God has committed the souls that are to be conveyed to the seats of the Blessed in eternal happiness. Pray, then, to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so completely vanquished that he may no longer be able to hold men in bondage and work harm to the Church. Offer up our prayers before the Most High, so that the mercies of the Lord may prevent us, and lay hold of the dragon, the old serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and hurl him bound in chains into the abyss where he may no longer seduce the souls of men. Amen.
V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, fly ye hostile ranks.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered.
V. May Thy mercies, O Lord, be fulfilled in us.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let thy mercies be upon us, O Lord. / As we have hoped in thee.
O Lord, hear my prayer. / And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy name and humbly beseech Thy clemency, that, through the intercession of the ever-immaculate Virgin and our Mother Mary, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, thou wouldst vouchsafe to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits that are prowling about the world to the great peril of the human race and the loss of souls. Amen. ”
Pope Leo XIII
Brother in-Christ Jesus-Lawrence