By Pamela Paul / The New York Times
For those for whom the presidential election offers an obvious and decisive choice, there is nothing more baffling than undecided voters.
What could they possibly be waiting for?
Donald Trump has made it endlessly clear who he is. Those who count themselves as his fans somehow look at this whiny, wounded figure and see a tough guy and strongman who will stand up for people like them or at least someone who will serve their interests. As for Sen. J.D. Vance, the more he seems to explore who he is, the more he seems to alienate everyone else.
People who say they don’t know enough about Kamala Harris, on the other hand, have a point. Harris’ strategy is to stay vague, and it’s an astute one: It enables her to capture Never Trumpers, independents, moderates and liberals without alienating the progressive wing, third-party flirters and potential abstainers. This may frustrate those keen on more detail, but her campaign knows too well that every detail risks turning off potential voters.
Like many people in the broad Harris coalition, I am sure I will dislike some of Harris’ policy decisions and actions. That’s beside the point.
Or, as conservative journalist David Frum put it on the “Bulwark” podcast last week, “That’s tomorrow’s problem.” Frum has his own reasons to foresee disagreement with a Harris administration. But, he explained, “today’s problem is you have to save the Constitution, save NATO, save trade, save American leadership in the world.”
It’s a simple point, but it offers a clarifying framework. For those who are still wavering, consider not only the stakes but also the timeline. If you are at all concerned about those larger issues, you can sweat the smaller ones later. Regardless of any disagreements — petty or significant, ideological or practical — you may have with her, Harris is an intelligent, capable and healthy individual who will be subject to ordinary checks and balances.
You might say that’s a low bar. But remember, that is the bar.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times, c.2024.
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