The Washington Post editorial board on Friday criticized Vice President Kamala Harris' economic policy announcement, calling it a “disappointment.”

Harris spoke on Friday in an effort to address the economic concerns of American voters, but her approach drew criticism for lacking a substantive plan and relying on populist rhetoric. According to “Amid continuing frustration over the rising cost of living, Harris has chosen to focus on price gouging and other corporate misdeeds rather than lay out a detailed economic strategy,” the editorial board wrote in The Washington Post, adding that Harris has “wasted time with populist tactics.”

From the editorial board: The times call for serious economic policy. Harris offers a lightning rod. https://t.co/mx1SUzh47b

— Washington Post Opinions (@PostOpinions) August 17, 2024

In her speech, the Vice President emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration's role in addressing inflation, which remains higher than under the Trump administration. However, the editorial board noted that Harris did not provide a nuanced explanation for inflation trends, such as supply chain issues and Federal Reserve policies, but instead attributed rising prices to corporate greed. Harris also proposed a federal crackdown on price gouging without a clear definition or strategy.

The editorial board also explored the potential pitfalls of Harris' approach, drawing similarities to President Richard Nixon's ineffective price controls of the 1970s. This aspect of Harris' economic plan, particularly its targeting of traditionally low-profit sectors such as grocery stores, has drawn skepticism about its feasibility and impact, The Post said. (Related: 'This is a communist candidate': Former Trump adviser Stephen Miller predicts Americans will turn against Kamala within three weeks)

The editorial board praised some of Harris' economic plans. When discussing housing, she also proposed building 3 million new homes and encouraging growth through tax incentives to address the real estate shortage that is driving up prices. However, the media outlet noted that her plan also includes $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers, which could inadvertently drive up prices by increasing demand but not adjusting for supply.

Another focus of her economic strategy is strengthening the child tax credit and extending health insurance tax cuts under the Affordable Care Act, according to the outlet. These proposals are aimed at easing the financial burden on middle-class and low-income families and have garnered support for their potential to reduce poverty and expand health insurance coverage, according to the outlet.

But funding these big proposals remains an issue: Harris has insisted her plan would not raise taxes on households making less than $400,000 a year, even though it could add $1.7 trillion to the national debt over 10 years, the outlet reported, citing budget analysts.

The Washington Post editorial board criticized each side for making “expensive comments.”

“Even by the campaign's economically pandering standards, however, Harris' speech on Friday was disappointing,” the editorial board concluded.