PITTSBURGH — Kamala Harris campaigned to move forward, frequently telling her supporters, “We're not going back.” But the college students here don't believe her. And they aren't alone.
“She's going to come back,” University of Pittsburgh freshman Phil Lelaris told the Post. “She’s a cop,” he said. “She's saying pro-wall things.”
The vice president once called former President Donald Trump's border wall a “medieval vanity project.” Harris, who is currently running for president, has promised to sign a bipartisan border bill that would continue construction of the wall.
This is just one of her changes in direction, raising concerns among progressives, especially young voters, who are typically a strong support base for Democrats.
“In a world that is becoming more and more right-wing conscious, those on the left feel isolated,” said Lelaris, 19, from Indianapolis.
Realis, who was standing across the quad from where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was scheduled to debate Pitt students that same day, said he would vote for Harris, but wasn't thrilled about the prospect. .
“I hate Trump, so I'm going to vote reluctantly,” he said.
Gen Z voters are more liberal than older Americans, but 43% Please do not specify with any major political party.
Harris' campaign is trying to engage these young voters with the “Brat Summer” meme and celebrity endorsements such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.
but poll show Harris does not have the same support among young voters as President Biden did in 2020, but this could be crucial to winning Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes.
One reason, students told the Post, was Veep's sudden shift to the center.
“She's a very moderate person,” says Kush Rajesh, another freshman at Pitt. “It's like a sham for change that won't happen.”
During her time in the White House, Ms. Harris has retreated from her progressive past, eschewing support for Medicare for All, breaking the ban and instead embracing issues such as border security.
“She is being touted as a beacon of hope for minorities because she is a minority but she is a hypocrite,” Rajesh said.
Rajesh, an 18-year-old from the San Francisco Bay Area, is familiar with Harris' tenure as California's attorney general. Over 1,800 people Go to jail for marijuana offenses.
While he says he 'hates' former Hawaii congressman Tulsi Gabbard, Rajesh acknowledges former Democrat's claims unload Harris' background as a prosecutor clearly made an impression on progressive voters during the 2019 Democratic primary debates.
Rajesh also believes that Trump's attacks on Harris, labeling her a Marxist and radical liberal, will help her campaign.
“They call her all these radical things, but she is not,” he said. “I feel like they're making her cooler than she really is.”
Rajesh also plans to vote for Harris, but said he sympathizes with those who don't vote.
“I just don't want abortion to be banned,” he explained.
Other Pitt students the Post spoke to agreed that while they don't like their options, they view Harris as the lesser of two evils.
“Of the two options, she's the best,” said freshman Emilia Choufran, holding a “Legalize Marijuana” sticker.
She also doesn't like Harris' background as a prosecutor, but supports her sharp advocacy on immigration and abortion rights.
“I don't think we should idolize these candidates,” she added.
“If you're trying to run a big campaign like the Democratic Party, there's really only so much you can do for young voters,” Luke S. said, referring to his fellow 18- to 24-year-olds. ” he said. , who's trend more democratic more than any other age group.
Although he's not a fan of Harris' plan to reduce immigration, the 18-year-old from Baltimore told the Post it's important to have a strong Border Patrol.
Regarding Harris' economic plan, Luke said her proposed food price caps could have a negative impact on the economy, but continued the Biden administration's aggressive antitrust measures and said I completely agree with her promise to “dismantle the industry and create local competition.” ”
When Luke heard the plan, he said, “It gives me hope.''
Luke noted that Harris' early campaigns tried to appeal to younger voters with a “fun persona.”
But he believes the vice president's outreach to young voters has evolved from memes and dances to a more issue-based approach.
“Now she's raising more real issues than palm tree jokes.”
Still, he hopes Harris will take a stronger stance against Israel on the Gaza war.
“I don't think we should be funding an apartheid state,” he said.
Luke attempts to shred an electric guitar to disrupt Charlie Kirk's campus visit, which is subsequently shut down.
But this punk rocker is more excited than his peers to pull the lever for Harris on Election Day.
“I'm more excited to vote for her than the average person in my political field,” he admitted.
