Kamala Harris’s Surprising Alliance Moves to Engage Young Voters

Vice President Kamala Harris adopts a unique campaign strategy that seeks to win over young male voters, notably through cannabis legalization and alliances with the adult entertainment industry.

At a Glance

Harris’s campaign targets young male voters through cannabis legalization.
Alliance with the adult entertainment industry highlights a broad sociocultural discourse.
The plan aims to correct legal inequities affecting Black individuals.
Economic initiatives for Black men focus on loans and training programs.

Harris’s Campaign Strategy

Vice President Kamala Harris’s strategy focuses on legalizing marijuana as a means of engaging young male voters, particularly targeting Black men. This initiative aligns with her commitment to address legal inequities harming Black communities. Her campaign proposes federal legalization of marijuana, stopping its criminalization, promoting healthy childhood development, and facilitating business opportunities through legal cannabis sales. Harris’s running mate, Governor Tim Walz, bolsters her plan, given his history of supporting cannabis reform.

An unconventional partnership with the adult entertainment industry further solidifies her approach. The industry, facing perceived threats from Republican policies, supports Harris by urging young men to vote Democratic. This collaboration symbolizes a broader cultural dialogue about the implications of legalization and entertainment consumption, aiming to sway young male voters suffering from socioeconomic challenges.

Kamala Harris has pledged to legalise recreational marijuana and create "forgivable" loans in a bid to win black men's votes after Barack Obama said some "aren't feeling the idea of having a woman as President". https://t.co/401u02JzMk

— Toby Young (@toadmeister) October 14, 2024

Addressing Economic Concerns

Harris’s plan emphasizes economic reforms to prioritize Black men, a demographic reportedly showing declining support for her campaign. The “Opportunity Agenda” proposes over one million fully forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for Black entrepreneurs. Her campaign underscores training and mentorship initiatives in high-demand industries, and significant investment in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for Black male teachers. Cryptocurrency regulation also forms part of her agenda, considering over 20% of Black Americans engage in cryptocurrency.

“Will break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back by legalising marijuana nationally, working with Congress to ensure that the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of recreational marijuana is the law of the land.”

The campaign further highlights Harris’s plans for a National Health Equity Initiative, focusing on improving health outcomes for Black men, reflecting her commitment to systemic change and social justice.

Public Opinion and Criticism

Public opinion on cannabis legalization crosses party lines, particularly among Black men and younger voters. A 2022 Pew Research survey states 61% of Black men favor legalization. Despite such popularity, critics argue strategic reliance on substance legalization and adult entertainment will not tackle the root challenges faced by young men. Nobel economist Angus Deaton points out increasing inequality with open borders, while other experts warn against neglecting workforce dropout rates impacting economic vitality.

“The rising dropout rate by “infantilized” young men is a “calamity,” demographer Nicholas Eberstadt told the Washington Post, adding “The United States cannot prosper unless its prime-age males do.” – Nicholas Eberstadt

As Harris and her team endeavor to secure votes through these strategies, questions on the long-term viability and moral implications of such actions persist. While potential cannabis reforms appeal to voters, the encompassing policies reflect complex regional and demographic dynamics.