In a recent revelation, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) platform has extensively commemorated President Joe Biden's potential second term, notably overlooking Vice President Kamala Harris's policy initiatives despite her being the actual presidential candidate.
The New York Post reported that the DNC has drawn criticism for not updating its platform to reflect the policies of Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been endorsed by President Biden.
President Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21, after the DNC platform had already been ratified on July 13, has led to considerable discord within the Democratic Party. This platform extensively referenced Biden's potential second term a total of 21 times.
Following Biden’s endorsement, Vice President Harris, who arrived in Chicago for the DNC on August 18, 2024, was left to navigate a platform that did not reflect her policy proposals.
Notable omissions included her initiatives on price controls on groceries intended to combat inflation.
The absence of Harris's policies in the DNC platform, particularly those addressing economic issues, has not gone unnoticed.
Critics have argued that this oversight might suggest a disconnect between the party's formal positions and the actual nominee’s agenda.
In addition to internal party critiques, this situation has provided fodder for opposition figures.
The Trump campaign has been vocal, labeling Harris as a figurehead being manipulated by radical elements within the Democratic Party. They assert, "Kamala doesn’t even have a policy page on her website. She is simply a puppet to the same radical and insane class of socialists and communists who have been running the country into the ground under Biden."
The platform does, however, reaffirm the Democratic commitment to opposing Republican policies such as the 2017 tax cuts, promoting rigorous environmental policies, and implementing a ban on semiautomatic weapons.
The oversight has also attracted media attention with various outlets critiquing Harris’s rollout of price control measures.
The Washington Post editorial board dismissed the proposal as a “populist gimmick,” citing historical ineffectiveness with such policies and challenging the rationale given the current economic conditions.
Adding to the discord, Stephen Miller, a critic of the DNC's strategy, pointed out the emphasis on Biden rather than Harris, stating, “The DNC ditches Kamala after the disastrous rollout of Soviet price controls, endorses Biden (19 times!) for a second term in the DNC platform. 19 times!! Total party dysfunction.”
As the Democratic National Convention unfolds in Chicago, starting from August 19, 2024, all eyes are on how the party plans to unify around Harris.
The convention, held at the United Center, has seen the arrival of notable figures including President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
No updates to the DNC platform are planned for the duration of the convention, indicating a possibly strategic decision to maintain focus on Biden’s legacy rather than pivot to Harris’s new leadership role.
Despite the controversies, Harris is slated to deliver her nomination acceptance speech on August 22, 2024. She has enjoyed certain positive media portrayals in light of her forward-looking agenda and personal achievements.
Biden, meanwhile, is expected to receive a supportive send-off at the convention, symbolizing a potential bridging of the past administration's achievements with the future ambitions under Harris.