In her bid to succeed Joe Biden and become the next President of the United States, Kamala Harris has begun to reshape her campaign message, emphasizing her own priorities and committing to run a "joyful" campaign that focuses on protecting key rights and addressing the concerns of the middle class.

Gone are Biden's warnings about the threats to American democracy posed by the MAGA movement, as Harris delivers a sunnier vision of a nation united as "neighbors, not enemies." With less than three weeks since Biden withdrew from the race, Harris is in the early stages of differentiating herself from her predecessor.

Harris plans to roll out more defined plans for what she would do at the start of her presidential term, aiming to provide voters with a clearer picture of her governance. She intends to highlight unfinished pieces of Biden's agenda that she would champion as president, including universal child care, paid family leave, affordable housing, and a minimum wage increase.

The expectation is for Harris to preserve Biden's policies, given her position as vice president and her connection to his record. A recent campaign ad from a Democratic super PAC showcased how Harris had played a role in capping the price of insulin at $35 a month – a move that Biden has long touted as one of his signature accomplishments. Additionally, Biden is expected to continue supporting Harris, appearing at joint campaign events with her, raising money for her campaign, and meeting with various parts of the Democratic coalition to boost her candidacy.

Harris aims to appeal to Midwest voters, with Biden's ease in connecting with them serving as an advantage. Her campaign emphasizes addressing real-world problems such as high grocery and gas prices that are currently burdening middle-class families. One key issue that Harris feels passionate about is the "care economy," which encompasses policies to support those raising children and caring for the elderly and disabled.

While Biden, as a practicing Catholic, struggled with discussing abortion, Harris, as a woman, is expected to speak more fluidly on the topic and champion the restoration of women's freedom in decision-making about their own bodies. Supporters also note that Harris uses the word "freedom" as an umbrella term, highlighting what is at stake in the election, including the threat to democracy posed by former President Donald Trump. However, she focuses on the potential that a Democratic victory could bring, rather than solely emphasizing the danger.

On foreign policy, Harris aligns closely with Biden, emphasizing the importance of maintaining alliances that Trump questioned. However, there may be subtle differences in their approaches. Harris recently spoke about the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, showing empathy that some feel Biden struggled with, garnering appreciation from the Arab American community.

As Harris continues to craft her campaign message, she remains committed to championing the concerns of the middle class while building on Biden's agenda. With Biden's support and a rising approval rating, she is well-positioned to engage with a wide range of voters and potentially secure a valuable campaign partner in Biden.

On July 30, Harris had the opportunity to meet Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian American and Georgia state representative, during a rally held in Atlanta.