J. D. Vance’s Rough Rollout and Kamala Harris’s Veepstakes
2Digest
The podcast delves into the complex role of vice presidents in US politics, examining their potential as both assets and liabilities. It focuses on the upcoming 2024 election, analyzing the significance of Kamala Harris's vice presidential pick and the potential impact of this decision on the Democratic Party's strategy. The podcast also explores the rumors surrounding Donald Trump's potential buyer's remorse regarding his choice of JD Vance as his running mate, analyzing Vance's political background, controversial statements, and the potential consequences of his selection. The discussion then shifts to Kamala Harris's potential vice presidential picks, highlighting the diverse field of candidates and the factors influencing her decision. The podcast explores the strengths and weaknesses of each contender, including their political experience, regional appeal, and potential impact on the election. Finally, the podcast reflects on the legacy of Tim Kaine as Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016, examining the potential pitfalls of a calculated vice presidential selection and emphasizing the importance of human factors and the unpredictable nature of political campaigns.
Outlines
The Role of Vice Presidents: Assets or Liabilities?
The podcast begins by discussing the role of vice presidents in US politics, highlighting their potential as both political assets and liabilities.
Kamala Harris's VP Selection: A New Era
The discussion shifts to the upcoming 2024 election and the significance of Kamala Harris's vice presidential pick. The podcast explores the potential impact of this decision on the Democratic Party's strategy.
Trump's Buyer's Remorse: JD Vance's Controversial Pick
The podcast delves into the rumors surrounding Donald Trump's potential buyer's remorse regarding his choice of JD Vance as his running mate. The discussion analyzes Vance's political background, his controversial statements, and the potential consequences of his selection.
Kamala Harris's VP Contenders: A Diverse Field
The podcast focuses on Kamala Harris's potential vice presidential picks, highlighting the diverse field of candidates and the factors influencing her decision. The discussion explores the strengths and weaknesses of each contender, including their political experience, regional appeal, and potential impact on the election.
The Shadow of Tim Kaine: Lessons from Past VP Selections
The podcast reflects on the legacy of Tim Kaine as Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016, examining the potential pitfalls of a calculated vice presidential selection. The discussion emphasizes the importance of human factors and the unpredictable nature of political campaigns.
Keywords
JD Vance
JD Vance is an American author and politician who gained notoriety for his book "Hillbilly Elegy," a memoir exploring the struggles of the white working class in Appalachia. He is currently a US Senator from Ohio and was selected by Donald Trump as his running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the current Vice President of the United States. She is the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to hold this office. Harris is a former Senator from California and served as Attorney General of the state.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is a former US President and a prominent figure in American politics. He is known for his controversial statements and policies, and his presidency was marked by significant political polarization. Trump is seeking to reclaim the presidency in the 2024 election.
Vice President
The Vice President of the United States is the second-highest elected official in the country. They serve as the presiding officer of the Senate and assume the presidency if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office.
2024 Election
The 2024 United States presidential election is scheduled to take place on November 5, 2024. The election will determine the next president and vice president of the United States.
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-right on the political spectrum and advocates for limited government, free markets, and individual liberty.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum and advocates for social justice, economic equality, and government intervention in the economy.
Swing Voters
Swing voters are voters who are not consistently loyal to one political party and can potentially vote for either candidate in an election. They are often considered to be the most important group of voters in close elections.
Q&A
What are some of the key factors that Kamala Harris is likely considering when choosing her running mate?
Kamala Harris is likely considering a range of factors, including the candidate's political experience, regional appeal, potential impact on the election, and personal compatibility. She is also likely seeking someone who can balance her own strengths and weaknesses and provide a strong backup in case of unforeseen circumstances.
What are some of the potential risks and benefits of Donald Trump's choice of JD Vance as his running mate?
JD Vance's selection as Trump's running mate has generated both excitement and concern. While he may appeal to the Republican base and offer a potential bridge to a new generation, his controversial statements and lack of experience have raised questions about his suitability for the role.
How might the 2024 election be different from previous elections, and what implications does this have for the vice presidential selection?
The 2024 election is likely to be highly polarized and unpredictable, with both parties facing significant challenges. This context makes the vice presidential selection even more crucial, as it could potentially sway the outcome of the election in key states.
What are some of the key issues that the Democratic and Republican parties are likely to focus on in the 2024 election?
The 2024 election is likely to be dominated by issues such as the economy, healthcare, climate change, and social justice. Both parties will likely seek to appeal to swing voters by emphasizing their positions on these issues and highlighting the differences between their respective platforms.
What are some of the lessons that can be learned from past vice presidential selections, and how might these lessons inform the 2024 election?
Past vice presidential selections have highlighted the importance of both electoral strategy and personal compatibility. While a calculated choice can sometimes be beneficial, it is also crucial to consider the human element and the unpredictable nature of political campaigns. The 2024 election will likely see both parties carefully weighing these factors as they make their vice presidential selections.
Show Notes
As J. D. Vance faces a bumpy public reception on the Trump ticket and Kamala Harris considers her options for a running mate, the New Yorker staff writers Amy Davidson Sorkin and Benjamin Wallace-Wells join Tyler Foggatt to discuss all things Vice-Presidential. In a race as short and tight as this one, what is each campaign communicating with its choice?
This week’s reading:
- “Who Should Kamala Harris Pick as Her Running Mate?” by Amy Davidson Sorkin
- “J. D. Vance’s Sad, Strange Politics of Family,” by Jessica Winter
- “J. D. Vance’s Radical Religion,” by Paul Elie
To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com.
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