Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign is under fire for dodging questions about her stance on the death penalty, reflecting a broader trend of ambiguity on key policy issues as she tries to balance her progressive base with independent voters.
The campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris is facing scrutiny after refusing to clarify her stance on the death penalty, marking her third policy dodge in as many days. When questioned by Axios's Alex Thompson, the campaign did not provide a response regarding whether Harris still opposes capital punishment, highlighting a strategic effort to balance her progressive base with independent voters.
Critics have accused Harris of being inconsistent and opportunistic in her policy positions, suggesting she is willing to shift her views for electoral gain. Former President Donald Trump has recently called for the death penalty for drug dealers involved in fentanyl trafficking, further intensifying the debate around the issue.
Harris has a history of opposing the death penalty, having supported California Governor Gavin Newsom's 2019 moratorium on executions, which she described as an "important day for justice." She has previously stated that the death penalty is "unequally applied," a sentiment echoed during her inaugural address as San Francisco's district attorney 15 years ago when she pledged never to seek capital punishment.
Despite this history, Harris's campaign has been silent on whether she would push for legislation or an executive order to abolish the death penalty if elected president. Thompson's inquiry pointed out that after two decades of opposition, the campaign's lack of clarity raises questions about her current position.
This lack of transparency is not isolated, as the Harris campaign has also sidestepped questions regarding her views on amnesty for "Dreamers" and the decriminalization of prostitution earlier this week. Since announcing her candidacy in July, Harris's positions on at least 12 key issues have either changed or remain unclear, including:
- Death penalty (Refusal to disclose current stance)
- Decriminalizing prostitution (No response on support)
- Amnesty for "Dreamers" (Unclear position)
- Banning plastic straws (Position changed)
- Mandating only electric and hydrogen vehicles by 2035 (Unknown)
- Fracking (Position changed)
- Gun confiscation through buyback (Reportedly no longer supports)
- Decriminalizing illegal border crossings (Reportedly no longer supports)
- Reparations (Unclear position)
- Building a border wall (Formerly opposed, now reportedly supports)
- Federal jobs guarantee (Reportedly no longer supports)
- Medicare for All (Position changed)
As the campaign unfolds, observers are closely watching how Harris navigates these contentious issues, particularly with the primary season approaching.
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