Harris and Walz Meet the Press
17Digest
This podcast delves into the current state of the US presidential election, examining key developments and analyzing the strategies of both candidates. The first segment focuses on Kamala Harris' first TV interview since becoming the Democratic ticket, analyzing her responses to questions about her past positions on key issues, her views on Trump's attacks on her race and identity, and her plans for a potential presidency. The podcast then explores Donald Trump's recent statements on abortion and IVF, discussing his attempt to distance himself from his anti-choice stance by proposing free IVF treatments and his ambiguous comments on the Florida abortion ballot initiative. The podcast also examines the Trump campaign's ongoing conflict with the US military, analyzing their decision to turn Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery into a campaign photo op and their subsequent fight with the Army over the incident. The podcast then discusses a wave of new polls showing a tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, analyzing the polls' findings, particularly in Pennsylvania, and discussing the implications for the overall election. The podcast explores the concept of the convention bounce and its relevance to the current election, discussing whether Kamala Harris experienced a bounce after the Democratic convention and analyzing the factors that contribute to or hinder a bounce. Finally, the podcast concludes by highlighting the deep divisions within the country, as evidenced by the internal data from the Quinnipiac poll, and discussing the implications of this division for the upcoming election and the challenges facing both candidates.
Outlines
Kamala Harris and the Democratic Ticket
This chapter analyzes Kamala Harris' first TV interview since becoming the Democratic ticket, examining her responses to questions about her past positions on key issues, her views on Trump's attacks on her race and identity, and her plans for a potential presidency.
Trump's Shifting Positions on Abortion and IVF
This chapter delves into Donald Trump's recent statements on abortion and IVF, discussing his attempt to distance himself from his anti-choice stance by proposing free IVF treatments and his ambiguous comments on the Florida abortion ballot initiative.
Trump's Campaign and the US Military
This chapter examines the Trump campaign's ongoing conflict with the US military, analyzing their decision to turn Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery into a campaign photo op and their subsequent fight with the Army over the incident.
New Polls Show a Tight Race
This chapter discusses a wave of new polls showing a tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, analyzing the polls' findings, particularly in Pennsylvania, and discussing the implications for the overall election.
The Convention Bounce and its Impact
This chapter explores the concept of the convention bounce and its relevance to the current election, discussing whether Kamala Harris experienced a bounce after the Democratic convention and analyzing the factors that contribute to or hinder a bounce.
A Deeply Divided Country
This chapter concludes by highlighting the deep divisions within the country, as evidenced by the internal data from the Quinnipiac poll, and discussing the implications of this division for the upcoming election and the challenges facing both candidates.
Keywords
Fetal Personhood
A legal concept that considers a fertilized egg or embryo a person with full legal rights, potentially impacting IVF, abortion, and other medical procedures.
Convention Bounce
A temporary increase in a candidate's poll numbers following a political convention, often attributed to increased media attention and party unity.
Anti-Establishment
A political stance that opposes traditional power structures and institutions, often appealing to voters who feel disenfranchised or disillusioned with the status quo.
Conspiracy Theorist
An individual who believes in or promotes conspiracy theories, often characterized by distrust of authority and reliance on unverified information.
Low Information Voter
A voter who lacks extensive knowledge about political issues or candidates, making them more susceptible to persuasive messaging and emotional appeals.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
A fertility treatment that involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body, often raising ethical and legal questions about the status of embryos.
MAGA (Make America Great Again)
A slogan and political movement associated with Donald Trump, emphasizing a return to a perceived past era of American greatness.
Transition Team
A group of individuals appointed by a newly elected president to assist with the transition of power, including policy development and personnel appointments.
Q&A
How did Kamala Harris handle the question about her changing positions on key issues?
Harris responded by emphasizing that her values haven't changed, but her understanding of how to build consensus and find solutions has evolved through her experience as Vice President.
Why did Kamala Harris and her team choose to brush off Trump's attacks on her race and identity?
They recognized that engaging with Trump's provocations would only fuel his agenda and distract from their message. They chose to pivot to more substantive issues, like their plans for the middle class.
What is the significance of Trump's recent statements on abortion and IVF?
Trump's attempt to appear more moderate on abortion is likely a strategic move to appeal to a broader range of voters, but his actions and past record suggest a continued commitment to anti-choice policies.
What is the Trump campaign's strategy in picking a fight with the US military?
The campaign seems to be doubling down on its strategy of being confrontational and disrespectful towards institutions and individuals they perceive as part of the establishment. This strategy is likely aimed at appealing to their base of supporters.
What are the implications of the new polls showing a tight race?
The polls suggest that the election is likely to be very close, with Pennsylvania emerging as a key battleground state. The outcome of the election will likely depend on voter turnout and the ability of both candidates to mobilize their base and persuade undecided voters.
Show Notes
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sit down with CNN's Dana Bash for their much-hyped first big interview—and they pass the test. Donald Trump tries again to tack to the left on reproductive rights, and his campaign leans into their fight with Arlington National Cemetery over politicking at gravesites. Then, Jon and Dan go through the latest batch of national and state polls, all showing an extremely tight race.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
Table of contents
United States
