Former Vice President Kamala Harris will address the Arkansas Democratic Party’s annual Fisher Shackelford Dinner Saturday night, where she is expected to advocate for a “revival of the American dream” while attributing economic policy failures to both Democrats and Republicans. Excerpts from her speech reveal a critical stance on the past approaches to economic growth.
“Democrats never bought into trickle-down [economics]. That was Ronald Reagan’s doing. But plenty of Democrats did buy into the flawed assumptions behind it,” Harris plans to assert, highlighting a shared responsibility among party members for the current economic landscape. As the Democratic presidential nominee for 2024, her remarks are poised to resonate with party members seeking accountability.
Harris will elaborate on the misguided belief that market trust would benefit working-class Americans, stating, “if we just trusted the wisdom of the market, working people would eventually get taken care of.” She emphasizes that despite hard work, many have found the economic system failing them, leading to a disillusionment with what she describes as the “American Dream,” which has become more of a myth for many.
Amid speculation about her potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential election, Harris recently hinted at her ambitions during a conversation with Rev. Al Sharpton in New York City. “Listen, I might. I’m thinking about it,” she responded when asked about her future plans.
“Let me also say this, I served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States. ... I know what the job is, and I know what it requires,” she added, reinforcing her experience and readiness for leadership.
In her prepared remarks, Harris will also urge Democrats to strategize for governance should they regain power in Washington after President Donald Trump’s tenure. “Let us also pursue a vision for the future. Yes, one that deals with Trump’s remaining time in office. But equally important — one that is geared for when we’re on the other side and he is finally out of office,” she plans to convey.
Her vision includes what she describes as a “bold agenda,” advocating for reforms in public education aimed at preparing students for success in the 21st century without burdening them with lifelong debt. Additionally, she will propose a tax code that favors hard work over wealth accumulation and call for regulations on social media and artificial intelligence that prioritize public interest over profit.
While Harris is viewed as a strong contender for the 2028 nomination, she faces competition from several prominent Democratic figures. Governors Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Wes Moore of Maryland, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania are among those considered likely candidates. Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and Representative Ro Khanna are also expected to weigh their options for a run.
