THEY’VE GOT ISSUES: Some battleground Democrats in New York have got an issue issuing their issues to voters on their campaign websites. And Republicans are quick to speculate as to why. In three of the most competitive House races in New York, Democratic candidates’ websites have noticeably lacked any “issues” or policy platform pages, while just about every Republican running in a competitive district in the state has such a page. The percieved light on policy, high on vibes approach to campaigning for New York is mirrored by their nominee for the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid has had minimal focus on policy, according to Republicans. As our colleagues in D.C. wrote, Harris is “leaning into a general positive message that has wider appeal, specifically because it’s light on the details.” (The Harris team disputes this, saying she will “build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic agenda that beat Big Pharma, created nearly 16 million jobs, and delivered on the first bipartisan gun safety legislation in three decades.”) What Republicans see as a tendency among Democrats, including in New York, to go light on policy might indicate a vibe shift — one that moves away from talk on dry tax policy or damaging positions on wedge issues. (We should note few high-profile American politicians react to vibes more than Donald Trump.) “New York Democrats know voters won’t buy what they are selling, which is why they aren’t even attempting to explain their failed policies,” said Savannah Viar, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “Instead, they embrace Kathy Hochul and Kamala Harris, and hope voters won’t notice that means rising prices, open borders and international crises. Unfortunately for them, we will be there to remind voters just how radical these Democrats are.” To be clear, some Republicans’ clarity on policy hasn’t always been an asset. The now-infamous and painstakingly detailed policy book from Republicans known as Project 2025 was so noxious that former President Donald Trump repeatedly distanced himself from it, even though dozens of its authors and architects worked for him. And even as some say Harris is sidestepping policy, her poll numbers continue to rise. In battleground New York districts, Democratic hopefuls like Long Island’s Laura Gillen lack policy pages on their campaign websites. Syracuse candidate John Mannion doesn’t have one either yet. Nor does Working Families Party foe Mondaire Jones, who’s hoping to win in Westchester and Rockland counties. Their incumbent Republican opponents, Anthony D’Esposito, Brandon Williams and Mike Lawler, all have policy or “stances” sections on their websites. The three Democratic candidates reached out to Playbook and provided statements that defended their commitment to engaging with voters on policy. They referenced in-person events, press conferences, campaign literature and other efforts to make their positions clear. Congressional campaign season is also expected to heat up after Labor Day, so it wouldn’t surprise Playbook if candidates were putting the finishing touches on new websites during the final days of August. The NRCC’s counterpart, the DCCC, also found the Republican attack to be without merit. “If New York Republicans want to talk policy, they need to explain to voters why their GOP majority is responsible for the most unproductive Congress since the Civil War that’s done nothing to deliver for the Empire State,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Ellie Dougherty said. Josh Riley may be the only Democrat in a highly competitive race with a highly-comprehensive issues page. John Avlon, who faces a formidable but not impossible challenge against Suffolk County Rep. Nick LaLota, does have a policy page on his website. Pat Ryan has a similar page, though his opponent Alison Esposito’s is about three times as long. Riley said it’s important that voters can easily access his clear policy stances. “Upstate New Yorkers are fed up with career politicians speaking out of both sides of their mouth or taking positions based on which way the wind blows,” he said in a statement. “You might not always agree with me, but you’ll know where I stand and why.” — Jason Beeferman
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