Harris's Working Class Messaging Finds Union Support

Update: 2024-10-15

Digest

The podcast begins with a lighthearted introduction, setting the tone for the episode. It then delves into the political landscape, highlighting a suspect arrested with guns and fake tickets to a Trump rally who threatens to sue law enforcement. The episode then shifts to the campaign trail, discussing Kamala Harris's efforts to secure union votes in swing states and Donald Trump's attempts to appeal to labor voters despite his anti-union policies. An interview with SEIU President April Verret sheds light on the union's endorsement of Kamala Harris, emphasizing her support for working families and contrasting her policies with Trump's. The news segment covers various topics, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's efforts to combat election misinformation, the arrest of a man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, and the Democratic National Committee's ad campaign targeting Native voters. The podcast then explores the prevalence of conspiracy theories in American politics, focusing on Donald Trump's promotion of false narratives, particularly regarding FEMA and its role in disaster relief. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to support Crooked Media's mission of building a progressive independent media company.

Outlines

00:00:00

The 2020 Election: Labor, Misinformation, and Conspiracy Theories

This podcast explores the 2020 election, focusing on labor union endorsements, the spread of misinformation, and the impact of conspiracy theories on American politics.

00:00:31

Political Tensions and the 2020 Election

The podcast delves into the political landscape, highlighting a suspect arrested with guns and fake tickets to a Trump rally who threatens to sue law enforcement. It then discusses Kamala Harris's efforts to secure union votes in swing states and Donald Trump's attempts to appeal to labor voters despite his anti-union policies.

00:02:23

Union Endorsements and the 2020 Election

An interview with SEIU President April Verret sheds light on the union's endorsement of Kamala Harris, emphasizing her support for working families and contrasting her policies with Trump's. The news segment covers various topics, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's efforts to combat election misinformation, the arrest of a man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, and the Democratic National Committee's ad campaign targeting Native voters.

00:12:17

Conspiracy Theories and Their Impact on American Politics

The podcast explores the prevalence of conspiracy theories in American politics, focusing on Donald Trump's promotion of false narratives, particularly regarding FEMA and its role in disaster relief. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to support Crooked Media's mission of building a progressive independent media company.

Keywords

Union Vote

The support or endorsement of a political candidate by labor unions, often based on the candidate's stance on labor rights, worker protections, and economic policies that benefit working families.

Anti-Union Policies

Policies or actions taken by governments or corporations that aim to weaken or undermine the power and influence of labor unions, such as restrictions on collective bargaining, unionization efforts, and worker rights.

Swing States

States in the United States that are considered to be closely contested in presidential elections, where the outcome of the election can be significantly influenced by the results in these states.

Indigenous Vote

The voting power and influence of Native American communities in elections, often a significant factor in determining the outcome of elections in states with large Native American populations.

Election Misinformation

False or misleading information about elections, candidates, or voting processes that can spread through social media, traditional media, or other channels, potentially influencing voter behavior and undermining public trust in elections.

Conspiracy Theories

Explanations for events or phenomena that are based on speculation, conjecture, or unfounded evidence, often involving secret plots or hidden agendas, and often lacking credible scientific or factual support.

Disaster Relief

The provision of aid and assistance to individuals, communities, and regions affected by natural disasters or other emergencies, often involving government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector actors.

Progressive Independent Media

Media outlets that are independent of corporate or government influence and promote progressive values, such as social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection, often providing alternative perspectives and critical analysis of current events.

Q&A

What are some of the key policies that led to the SEIU's endorsement of Kamala Harris?
The SEIU endorsed Kamala Harris because of her consistent support for working families, her willingness to stand with workers on picket lines, and her commitment to policies that improve the lives of working people.
How does Donald Trump attempt to appeal to union workers despite his anti-union policies?
Trump attempts to appeal to union workers by portraying himself as a champion of the working class, despite his history of supporting policies that weaken unions and undermine worker rights.
What are some of the concerns about the spread of election misinformation and its potential impact on the upcoming election?
The spread of election misinformation can undermine public trust in elections, influence voter behavior, and potentially lead to increased polarization and unrest.
How do conspiracy theories about FEMA and its role in disaster relief affect the agency's ability to provide assistance to those in need?
Conspiracy theories about FEMA can create distrust and fear among those who need assistance, potentially discouraging them from seeking help and hindering the agency's efforts to provide critical resources.

Show Notes

Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are working hard to earn the support of a key voting bloc this election: union voters. While most major unions have kept up the tradition of backing Democrats by endorsing Harris, two of the country’s biggest unions — the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Association of Fire Fighters — opted not to endorse either candidate, citing internal divisions among their ranks. April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union, joins us to talk about why her union endorsed Harris, and what’s driving divisions within unions.

And in headlines: Georgia’s Republican secretary of state says local officials are prepared to fight election misinformation, A Nevada man says he’ll sue a California county sheriff who accused him of plotting to assassinate Trump, and NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is on its way to Jupiter’s ocean moon.

Show Notes: