Harris Thanks Her Lucky Stars Over Port Strike Delays

Vice President Kamala Harris is enjoying a temporary reprieve following the recent delay of the port strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which threatened to disrupt critical supply chains across the East and Gulf Coasts. The postponement of the strike offers Harris some breathing room in what could have become a politically precarious situation, especially as she works to close the gap with Trump in polls on economic issues.

With the election fast approaching, Harris needed to avoid any further economic turmoil that could have been exacerbated by a prolonged strike. Experts had warned that a strike of this magnitude could lead to shortages in perishable goods such as food, flowers, and pharmaceuticals, as well as create significant price hikes on consumer goods. The threat of inflation, already a sensitive topic, could have derailed the progress Harris has made in convincing voters she can handle the economy effectively. In recent weeks, Harris has made strides, closing the polling gap with Trump on economic issues to a margin of just 4 points, a significant improvement from earlier polls where she trailed by as much as 10 points.

While the delay of the strike provides some much-needed relief for Harris, President Joe Biden appears eager to capitalize on the situation, claiming credit for the temporary resolution. Biden’s appearance in the White House briefing room — his first in months — just before Harris was scheduled to address the issue raised eyebrows. Many see it as Biden stepping in to take the spotlight and frame the strike’s delay as a victory for his administration. This maneuver has been perceived as Biden attempting to secure a win for himself as a “lame-duck” president, while Harris navigates the political landscape as the future of the party.

Despite the short-term relief, the underlying issues remain unresolved. The strike is only delayed, and without a permanent solution, the Biden-Harris administration may face renewed criticism if negotiations between the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) collapse. The political consequences for both Biden and Harris could be severe if the strike resumes, particularly with inflation and supply chain issues already top-of-mind for voters. For now, Harris may enjoy a temporary victory (sort of), but both she and Biden must navigate the delicate balance of appearing proactive while the country watches for a final resolution.

By the way…if Harris is really concerned about all this, wouldn’t you think she would have thought about doing something about it?