Harris casts herself as pro-business while laying out her economic vision

Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday sought to reassure pro-business Republicans and small business owners that she will be in their corner by pledging to cut red tape and boost manufacturing.

In a roughly 40-minute speech at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh, Ms. Harris revealed few new details about her economic agenda. Instead, she sought to frame her plans as featuring pro-business and anti-government bureaucracy.

The move was aimed at countering former President Donald Trump’s characterization of her as a “communist” who would use the power of government to slow the nation’s economic agenda.

“I am a capitalist,” she declared in response to Mr. Trump’s claims she is a left-wing socialist.

Ms. Harris vowed to eliminate obstacles that stand in the way of businesses.

“In America, it takes too long and costs too much to build, whether it’s a new housing development, a new factor, or a new bridge,” she said. “It’s a national problem and I will tell you this, China is not moving slowly. They are not and we can’t afford to, either.”

“As president, if things are not moving quickly, I will demand to know and I will act. I will work with Congress, workers, businesses, cities and states and community groups and local leaders to reform permitting, to cut red tape and get things moving faster,” Ms. Harris said.

However, some business groups were skeptical of Ms. Harris’ declaration that she’s a friend of small business.

“Kamala Harris is doing her best impression of a moderate and small business champion in a desperate attempt to sway independent voters,” said Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of the Job Creators Network, a conservative business advocacy group. “Ordinary Americans won’t be fooled and know she is a San Francisco big government liberal dressed up in sheep’s clothing.” 

She spent much of her speech ridiculing Mr. Trump’s economic policy, saying the former president will “take America backward to the failed policies of the past.”

“For Donald Trump, our economy works best if it works for those who own the big skyscrapers,” she said. “Not those who actually build them, not those who wire them, not those who mop the floor.”