Vice President Kamala Harris made her debut as a presidential candidate in Milwaukee on July 23, with Beyoncé’s “Freedom” blaring as her campaign anthem.
The song symbolized Harris’ message that fundamental freedoms are on the line in this election, as she emphasized the importance of this moment for future generations.
Since the start of her campaign, Harris has intertwined calls for freedom with a sense of patriotism, a shift from the previous tone set by President Joe Biden. While still addressing Trump’s alleged threats to democracy, Harris has adopted a more positive approach to appeal to voters in swing states.
Republicans, however, question the sincerity of the Democrats’ newfound focus on freedom and patriotism, dismissing it as empty rhetoric.
Recent polls show Harris gaining ground on Trump in terms of economic and crime policies, with strong support from her base. However, Trump maintains a lead among independent voters.
Both Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic VP nominee, have emphasized the importance of freedom in their speeches, echoing themes from past leaders like FDR and Reagan. This focus on freedom has been seen as a successful strategy by some observers, as Democrats aim to reclaim this narrative from the Republican party.
Overall, Harris’ campaign has centered on defending six fundamental freedoms and promoting a vision of a better, more inclusive society, resonating with voters across the political spectrum.
Dionne noted that Democrats at this year’s convention also embraced the concept of “positive freedom or positive liberty,” where the state can assist individuals in achieving things they may not be able to accomplish on their own. Both Kamarck and Dionne observed a sense of patriotism in the Democrats’ messaging following Biden’s departure, particularly during the convention. Dionne highlighted the Democrats’ definition of patriotism as a love for the country as a pluralist democracy that welcomes people of all backgrounds.
The convention was filled with American flags and chants of “USA, USA, USA!” during various speeches, emphasizing the pride of being an American. Trump has long emphasized patriotism in his campaigns, evident in his “Make America Great Again” slogan and the prominent display of the American flag at his rallies. Political experts like David Schultz and Aaron Dusso praised Harris’s focus on patriotism and freedom as a strategy that appeals to both centrists and progressives while reclaiming language traditionally associated with Republicans.
However, not all Republicans are convinced by this shift in messaging. Some, like former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, view Harris’s rhetoric as style over substance, lacking the necessary depth to resonate with voters. Senator Lankford expressed skepticism towards the Democrats’ emphasis on freedom, criticizing their policies for leading to centralized government control. He also raised concerns about Harris’s changing stance on immigration and border security, pointing to discrepancies between her current positions and past statements.
Harris’s recent comments on securing the border and her support for a bipartisan border bill have raised questions about the consistency of her values. While some experts believe that Harris needs to continue moderating her immigration stance to align with broader public opinion, others warn of the risks of appearing inconsistent or opportunistic. The ongoing debate over immigration policy reflects the complex challenges facing political leaders in addressing issues like climate change and healthcare in a divided political landscape. Please rewrite the following sentence. Could you please rephrase this sentence?
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