Harris Dodges Question on Whether Americans Are Better Off Under Biden or Trump

In a telling moment during Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris dodged a direct question about whether Americans are better off now under the Biden-Harris administration or were better off during former President Donald Trump’s time in office. The question, posed by ABC News moderator David Muir, was the first of the night and set the stage for a heated exchange.

Instead of answering the question, Harris pivoted to a discussion about her childhood and claimed that she fights for the middle class, offering vague platitudes about “the ambitions, the aspirations, and the dreams of the American people.” However, she skirted around addressing the actual economic conditions facing Americans today, particularly in light of the nearly four years of Biden's presidency.

Harris also took the opportunity to make misleading claims about Trump’s economic record, but at no point did she directly respond to Muir’s question about whether Americans are better off now than they were under Trump’s administration.

Here’s why this moment matters:

• Rising economic concerns: With inflation soaring, interest rates high, and household debt on the rise, many Americans are feeling the financial pinch. Harris’ refusal to answer the question head-on only highlights the disconnect between the administration’s narrative and the reality most people face.

• Trump’s economic legacy: Under Trump, the U.S. saw record-low unemployment rates and a booming economy before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The contrast between those years and the current economic struggles is hard to ignore, which likely explains Harris’ deflection.

• Missed opportunity: This was Harris' chance to defend the administration’s policies and offer a compelling vision for the future. Instead, she relied on empty rhetoric without addressing the very real concerns that many voters have about their economic well-being.

As the debate wore on, Harris’ avoidance of this critical question only added to the perception that the administration is struggling to defend its economic track record. The American people are left asking: if things are truly better under Biden and Harris, why couldn’t she say so?

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