Could Kamala Harris Be a Trump-Level Cultural Phenomenon?
3Digest
The podcast delves into the political landscape surrounding Kamala Harris's emergence as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. It begins by discussing the energy and enthusiasm behind her campaign, highlighting her record-breaking fundraising and the widespread excitement among Democrats. The hosts then analyze the efforts to define Harris, both by her own campaign and by her opponents, exploring her strengths, including her prosecutorial background and her focus on the future, as well as her vulnerabilities, such as her record on criminal justice and her potential to be painted as a radical liberal. The podcast also examines Harris's potential vulnerabilities, particularly the attacks she may face as a woman and a person of color, and discusses the importance of reaching new voters, including those who have been disillusioned with politics. The hosts then shift to the vice presidential sweepstakes, discussing the potential candidates for Harris's running mate and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the podcast concludes with a discussion of the Republican Party's response to Harris's emergence, analyzing Donald Trump's struggles to adjust to this new reality and the potential for a campaign focused on Trump rather than Harris.
Outlines
Kamala Harris's Rise and the Democratic Re-Energized Base
The episode begins with a discussion about the surge of energy and enthusiasm behind Kamala Harris's campaign, highlighting her record-breaking fundraising and the widespread excitement among Democrats. The hosts analyze the reasons for this shift, including the Democrats' consolidation of their base and the contrast between Harris's dynamism and Joe Biden's perceived weakness.
Defining Kamala Harris: Prosecutor vs. Radical?
The episode explores the efforts to define Kamala Harris, both by her own campaign and by her opponents. The hosts discuss her strengths, including her prosecutorial background and her focus on the future, as well as her vulnerabilities, such as her record on criminal justice and her potential to be painted as a radical liberal.
Kamala Harris's Vulnerabilities and Reaching New Voters
The hosts delve into Kamala Harris's potential vulnerabilities, particularly the attacks she may face as a woman and a person of color. They discuss the importance of reaching new voters, including those who have been disillusioned with politics, and the potential for Harris to appeal to constituencies that were on the fence about Joe Biden.
The Vice Presidential Sweepstakes: Choosing a Running Mate
The episode shifts to the vice presidential sweepstakes, discussing the potential candidates for Kamala Harris's running mate. The hosts analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, including their geographic appeal, their ability to connect with voters, and their potential to balance the ticket.
Republicans in Disarray: Coping with Kamala Harris
The episode concludes with a discussion of the Republican Party's response to Kamala Harris's emergence as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The hosts analyze Donald Trump's struggles to adjust to this new reality, his attempts to cope with the loss of his punching bag, and the potential for a campaign focused on Trump rather than Harris.
Keywords
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is an American politician who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2023. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold the office.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is an American politician who served as the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2023. He previously served as the 47th vice president under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is a controversial figure known for his populist rhetoric, his business dealings, and his personal life.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum.
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-right on the political spectrum.
2024 Election
The 2024 United States presidential election will be the 59th quadrennial presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Vice Presidential Sweepstakes
The vice presidential sweepstakes refers to the process of selecting a running mate for a presidential candidate. It is a crucial decision that can have a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
Q&A
What are the key factors driving the surge of enthusiasm behind Kamala Harris's campaign?
The surge in support for Kamala Harris is driven by a combination of factors, including the Democrats' consolidation of their base, the contrast between Harris's dynamism and Joe Biden's perceived weakness, and the widespread excitement among Democrats for a new generation of leadership.
How is Kamala Harris trying to define herself in the race for president?
Kamala Harris is leaning into her prosecutorial background, positioning herself as a strong and experienced leader who can take on Donald Trump. She is also emphasizing her vision for the future, contrasting it with Trump's perceived regression and restriction.
What are some of the potential vulnerabilities that Kamala Harris may face in the campaign?
Kamala Harris may face attacks based on her record on criminal justice, her potential to be painted as a radical liberal, and the racist and misogynist attacks that she may face as a woman and a person of color.
How is the Republican Party responding to the rise of Kamala Harris?
The Republican Party is struggling to adjust to the new reality of Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Donald Trump is having difficulty coping with the loss of his punching bag, and the party is scrambling to find a way to effectively attack Harris.
What are the key considerations for Kamala Harris in choosing her running mate?
Kamala Harris will likely consider a number of factors when choosing her running mate, including geographic appeal, the ability to connect with voters, and the potential to balance the ticket. She may also prioritize chemistry and the ability to work effectively together.
What are the potential implications of the vice presidential sweepstakes for the 2024 election?
The vice presidential sweepstakes could have a significant impact on the 2024 election, as it could help to energize the base, attract new voters, and shape the narrative of the campaign. The choice of running mate could also reveal important insights into the candidates' strategies and priorities.
Show Notes
The Washington Roundtable: Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos discuss the start of Kamala Harris’s Presidential campaign and the surge of excitement among Democrats on the Internet and at rallies. Plus, who might be her running mate and how Republicans plan to launch “racist, misogynist” attacks against her.
This week’s reading:
- “Biden’s Exit, Harris’s Moment,” by Susan B. Glasser
- “Why Did Progressive Democrats Support Joe Biden?,” by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
- “Kamala Harris Should Tell Her Family’s Story,” by Jay Caspian Kang
- “J. D. Vance’s Sad, Strange Politics of Family,” by Jessica Winter
- “Was Biden’s Decision to Withdraw ‘Heroic’?” by Isaac Chotiner
- “Kamala Harris, the Candidate,” by Doreen St. Félix
- “Who Should Kamala Harris Pick as Her Running Mate?” by Amy Davidson Sorkin
- “J. D. Vance’s Radical Religion,” by Paul Elie
To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send in feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com with “The Political Scene” in the subject line.
Table of contents
United States
