Democratic Convention: how good are Harris's chances?
This Thursday evening, the Democratic National Convention in Chicago will close with a speech by presidential candidate Kamala Harris. In the run-up to the event, Harris had presented the key points of her economic policy. With an eye on the presidential election in November, Europe's press assesses where Harris and the Democrats stand.
Hope as a secret weapon
Harris' optimistic discourse could cost Trump victory, Libération notes:
“Above all, he's unable to counter the positive momentum created by Harris, whose key words - hope, joy, future - seem incomprehensible to him. In recent days, the Republican candidate seems to have walled himself into an alternative reality where statistics on crime, immigration and the economy are sometimes exaggerated and sometimes completely invented. Perhaps it's no coincidence: for Trump, any dynamic that could prevent him from returning to power can only be criminal. ... Kamala Harris must prove on Thursday night that she can ride the wave of hope that will carry her candidacy all the way to the White House - and keep racists and conspiracy theorists out.”
Reclaiming freedom
Harris's slogan "We choose freedom" is clever, El Periódico de Catalunya nods:
“Kamala could have followed in the footsteps of Hillary Clinton and based her campaign on becoming the first female president of the United States. But in the light of the results of her predecessor, she's chosen to focus on re-appropriating the concept of 'freedom'. Until now it's been the watchword of Trump and his imitators around the planet. For Harris, freedom is not the right to do what you want, the way you want. She has redefined it as the freedom of the state and of Americans to provide clean air, water and security, to make decisions about life and to respect other people's decisions. In this way she is creating a better framework for coexistence.”
The spark has yet to ignite
Naftemporiki has yet to sense a Harris effect:
“Since Kamala Harris's nomination, an incredible campaign has been underway to transform a vice president previously seen as 'unfit', 'colourless' and 'invisible' into a superwoman. The Democrats are trying to flip this image with the help of the media and the polls, which at the moment, however, do not reflect the views of the electorate. ... On social media, the Democratic National Convention in Chicago remains relatively unnoticed. The moderate electorate, which has always decided elections, doesn't seem to be warming to Harris yet.”
Too far to the left
Trud is concerned about free market principles:
“Harris's proposal for food price controls is ludicrous. The sort of thing that was practiced in the USSR, Cuba and Venezuela and which led to famines, the disappearance of goods and inflation. ... You cannot realise an idea like this because if you introduce food price caps businesses have no incentive to produce so they close up shop or leave the country. As a result not only do food prices not sink, but you get shortages, a black market and price increases due to inflation. Harris is trampling on fundamental economic principles and then asking voters for their support.”
No puppet of the tech giants
Harris is making efforts to achieve more balance in the tech industry, hvg notes approvingly:
“Harris certainly came under fire for not having done more as Californian attorney general to limit the power of the tech industry, but she has thrown her weight behind regulating these multinationals. Four years ago (when she entered the game as a presidential candidate) she got into a debate with a rival who was calling for the break-up of Amazon, Google and Facebook. Instead Harris proposed regulations to protect the private sphere of Americans. As vice president, she and President Biden united in calling for a regulation of artificial intelligence.”
Unity is of the essence now
Pro-Palestinian protests notwithstanding, Harris will steer clear of taking a firm stand on the Middle East conflict in Chicago, writes political scientist Bernardo Valente in Expresso:
“The Palestine conflict and the US's historical support of Israel is the elephant in the room at this Democratic convention. ... We are not likely to see any strong position emerging on this issue for the duration of the convention because the mantra of the moment is: unite to rule and not the other way round. Kamala Harris knows that she has established a highly favourable electoral position which she can maintain without necessarily having to take sides. ... Her great triumph is that she is neither Trump nor Biden.”
Torch passed on successfully
Joe Biden can shine again in his new role, the Kleine Zeitung notes:
“Too many in his own party had lost faith that his age would permit a second term in office. All contrary to Biden's plans and Biden's wishes. And yet he did not let an ounce of bitterness or sadness show: of all speeches, in his farewell address he was on fighting form: lauding his successes as president; pugnaciously, almost fierily laying into Trump for his endless lies. Now Joe Biden wants to be the 'best volunteer' for Kamala Harris' campaign. It seems the transition to the new era for the Democrats has succeeded.”
Balancing change and continuity
For the Guardian, a key question for the Democrats is:
“How well Ms Harris positions herself as the candidate of change as well as continuity. Mr Biden, showcasing his achievements as he passes the baton to Ms Harris, implicitly casts her as the latter. Her own task, while embracing the Biden administration's record, is to turn the page and become the former. ... Mr Biden has been a pivotal figure in the divisive 21st-century politics that emerged out of the Reagan era, 9/11, the banking crash, the rise of China and Black Lives Matter. He is also the man who saved his country once, by standing against Mr Trump in 2020. ... Ms Harris, however, must use this week to speak to America's future too.”
Harris: still an unknown quantity
The Democratic National Convention must be more than just a show, Sydsvenskan stresses:
“The coronation will take place on Thursday. Kamala Harris will officially become a candidate amid pomp and cheering. ... Film stars lend her glamour, and the party's own stars will give speeches. ... Because Harris is now the bearer of hope. But behind the glittery facade, questions are piling up: Is she 'left-wing'? What does the party want, and where is the US heading? Kamala Harris has not even given a proper press conference yet. Trump stands for waffling and superficiality. But if the Democrats want to be better, they need to present concrete policies, at home and around the world. The voters deserve more than stars and balloons.”
Gaza one of the biggest hurdles
Harris is in for a difficult balancing act, Phileleftheros comments:
“Donald Trump can play very dirty, and he's already doing exactly that. ... So Kamala Harris must seize the opportunity offered by the National Convention and show leadership. She will be asked to elaborate on what she aims to achieve on economic policy, immigration, the Gaza war and divisive issues such as abortion. ... A key step in getting it right is overcoming the Gaza hurdle. That's difficult, as tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have marched on Illinois to protest US support for Israel. Harris must find a way to show that she shares the protesters' concerns, but at the same time make it clear that she remains a staunch ally of Israel.”