Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, has been making headlines after raising an impressive $27 million at a lavish fundraiser held in New York City. This marks her most successful fundraising event since assuming the lead role on the ticket from President Joe Biden, according to her campaign aides. The event, held in the grand ballroom of Cipriani Wall Street, saw a packed crowd as Harris subtly criticized former President Donald Trump for refusing to participate in another debate.
“My opponent seems to be looking for an excuse,” Harris addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of a final debate before the election. “I feel very strongly that we owe it to the American people, to the voters, to meet once more before Election Day.” Trump, however, has rejected further debates, stating that “it’s just too late” with early voting already underway in several states. This fundraising success comes as Harris aims to compete against Trump’s well-funded campaign, supported by wealthy external organizations.
Harris is strategically focusing on addressing the concerns of voters struggling with the rising cost of living, a key issue for many Americans. She plans to deliver a speech on Wednesday outlining her economic vision, aiming to showcase her commitment to addressing these concerns. The speech will delve into her proposals for middle-class tax cuts and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Harris has adopted Trump’s idea of ending taxes on tipped wages but proposes limiting this to low- and middle-income taxpayers. She has also criticized Trump’s tariffs on imported goods, arguing they would escalate the cost of goods for consumers.
While the latest polls indicate that neither candidate holds a decisive advantage on the economy, Harris is gaining ground in this crucial area. This is particularly noteworthy as the economy was once considered a strong point for Trump. The economy has emerged as a paramount issue for voters, with nearly 8 in 10 considering it a critical factor in their decision. Harris has softened her stance on some of the more liberal positions she advocated during her 2020 presidential campaign, including proposals to ban fracking, implement a single-payer healthcare system, and decriminalize illegal border crossings. She is strategizing to broaden her appeal to a wider range of voters by focusing on economic issues and presenting a more moderate approach.
