When former President Donald Trump spoke to the National Association of Black Journalists in July, he sparked outrage and said his opponent “happened to turn Black.”
When Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to the same organization Tuesday afternoon, she responded to questions about the economy, gun control, and a recent apparent assassination attempt without making any waves.
Despite the differences in their interviews and how they were received, neither candidate clarified their precise policy proposals, leaving voters without crucial answers fewer than 50 days before the election. In particular, their responses to questions about economic plans were hazy, all as the economy remains a key issue for many voters.
Between questioning Harris’ racial identity and whether she passed her bar exam —she did — Trump fielded questions about how he would support Black voters economically. He started off by bashing inflation and saying it’s “destroying the Black community.” When pressed on his exact plans, Trump redirected the conversation to President Joe Biden’s debate performance, immigration policy, and plans for electric vehicles.
Trump later said that immigrants are taking “Black jobs,” which he defined as “anybody that has a job” before again pivoting to a discussion of the border.
When talking to Harris, moderators opened their conversation by asking whether voters fare better today than they did four years ago and she responded, in part, by touting her “Opportunity Economy.”
“Where all people have access to the resources to compete, to apply their incredible work ethic, their ambition, their aspirations, and their dreams. And not just get by but get ahead. I can talk in more detail about it,” she said.
Harris referenced policies listed on her website — in particular, she talked about the housing shortage, childcare costs, and elder care, referencing policies detailed on her website. When moderators asked how her economic policies will “materially change” Black men’s lives, Harris again went back to policies she’s already outlined and her actions as vice president. She highlighted helping Black entrepreneurs access capital, build generational wealth through homeownership, and tackle medical debt.
“Part of the work that I have done and will continue to do is identify, speak truth about those obstacles, and address them,” she said. The conversation then moved on to the war in Gaza, without Harris providing details on how she will enact her plans, many of which would need Congress’ support.
A similar dynamic played out during the debate — Trump spewed racist rhetoric about Haitian migrants in Ohio, while Harris remained on message. Many agreed that Harris won the debate, and polls show it gave her a bump, but neither candidate clarified how exactly they’ll execute plans to help Americans economically.
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