Kamala Harris: Still the Underdog
24Digest
The podcast "Inside 2024" delves into the 2024 presidential race, 60 days before Election Day. Hosts John Favre and Dan Pfeiffer discuss the close polling and the upcoming debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They analyze the economic plans of both candidates, highlighting Harris's focus on the middle class and small businesses, contrasting with Trump's reliance on past economic performance. The hosts dissect Trump's economic speech, criticizing his lack of a consistent message and reliance on vague promises. They also discuss Liz Cheney's endorsement of Harris and the implications of her decision, analyzing the political strategy behind it and the reluctance of other Republicans to publicly oppose Trump. The podcast explores the question of whether Republicans secretly hoping for Trump's defeat will be able to move the party away from Trumpism. They discuss the potential for Trumpism to persist beyond Trump himself and the challenges facing Republicans in navigating the post-Trump era. The hosts interview CNN's chief political correspondent Dana Bash, discussing her experience moderating the first presidential debate and her insights into the upcoming debate between Harris and Trump. They also discuss her book, "America's Deadliest Election," which explores the violent 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election. The podcast then shifts to campaign trail stories, answering listener questions about candidate lodging, the effectiveness of door-knocking and phone banking, and the challenges of interacting with voters. The hosts reflect on the intense and grueling nature of the 2008 presidential campaign, highlighting its impact on campaign staffers and the lasting connections forged during that time. They explore the dynamic between staffers from opposing campaigns during the 2008 election, delving into the unique challenges of working with former friends and colleagues who are now on the other side, highlighting the intense loyalty and fierce competition that characterized the race. The podcast concludes by focusing on the transition from the primary to the general election, discussing the challenges faced by staffers who switch sides after a primary loss. It explores the dynamics of moving from a losing campaign to a winning one, highlighting the potential for both opportunity and awkwardness.
Outlines
The 2024 Presidential Race: A Close Contest
The podcast opens with a discussion about the state of the 2024 presidential race, 60 days out from Election Day. The hosts, John Favre and Dan Pfeiffer, discuss the close polling and the importance of the upcoming debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They analyze the economic plans of both candidates, highlighting their contrasting approaches to small businesses, tax cuts, and government spending. They discuss the political strategy behind Harris's proposals and Trump's reliance on past economic performance.
Trump's Economic Rhetoric and Harris's Counter-Strategy
The hosts dissect Donald Trump's economic speech, focusing on his attempts to appear serious and normal. They critique his lack of a consistent message and his reliance on vague promises. They also discuss the potential for Harris to exploit Trump's unpopular economic policies.
Liz Cheney's Endorsement and the Republican Divide
The hosts discuss Liz Cheney's endorsement of Kamala Harris and the implications of her decision. They analyze the political strategy behind Cheney's endorsement and the reluctance of other Republicans to publicly oppose Trump.
The Future of Trumpism and the Republican Party
The hosts delve into the question of whether Republicans secretly hoping for Trump's defeat will be able to move the party away from Trumpism. They discuss the potential for Trumpism to persist beyond Trump himself and the challenges facing Republicans in navigating the post-Trump era.
Interview with Dana Bash: Insights into the 2024 Race
The hosts interview CNN's chief political correspondent Dana Bash, discussing her experience moderating the first presidential debate and her insights into the upcoming debate between Harris and Trump. They also discuss her book, "America's Deadliest Election," which explores the violent 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election.
Campaign Trail Stories: Behind the Scenes of 2024
The hosts of the "Inside 2024" podcast, Tommy Vittor and John Love It, discuss campaign trail stories with producer Caroline Reston. They answer listener questions about candidate lodging, the effectiveness of door-knocking and phone banking, and the challenges of interacting with voters.
The 2008 Presidential Campaign: A Proving Ground for Staffers
This chapter discusses the intense and grueling nature of the 2008 presidential campaign, highlighting its impact on campaign staffers and the lasting connections forged during that time. It also mentions the emergence of key figures who later went on to hold prominent positions in politics.
Navigating the Opposing Campaign: A Complex Relationship
This chapter explores the dynamic between staffers from opposing campaigns during the 2008 election. It delves into the unique challenges of working with former friends and colleagues who are now on the other side, highlighting the intense loyalty and fierce competition that characterized the race.
Transition Dynamics: From Primary to General Election
This chapter focuses on the transition from the primary to the general election, discussing the challenges faced by staffers who switch sides after a primary loss. It explores the dynamics of moving from a losing campaign to a winning one, highlighting the potential for both opportunity and awkwardness.
Keywords
Anti-MAGA Majority
A significant portion of the electorate that opposes the policies and rhetoric of Donald Trump and his supporters, often referred to as the "MAGA movement." This group played a crucial role in defeating Trump in 2020 and has continued to oppose MAGA candidates in subsequent elections.
Calcified Electorate
A political landscape characterized by extreme polarization and limited room for compromise. This phenomenon is often attributed to the rise of Donald Trump and the increasing influence of identity politics, leading to a situation where voters are firmly entrenched in their respective partisan camps.
Trumpism
A political ideology and movement associated with Donald Trump, characterized by populism, nationalism, and a rejection of traditional Republican values. Trumpism has had a significant impact on the Republican Party, influencing its policies and rhetoric, and raising questions about the party's future direction.
Electoral College Advantage
The system used in the United States to elect the president, where each state is allocated a number of electors based on its population. This system can give a candidate an advantage in the presidential election even if they lose the popular vote, as demonstrated by Donald Trump's victory in 2016.
Dual Slates of Electors
A situation where multiple sets of electors are submitted from a single state, potentially leading to a contested election outcome. This scenario was a significant factor in the 1876 presidential election and could potentially arise again in future elections, particularly in states with divided government.
Jim Crow Laws
A set of state and local laws enacted in the Southern United States between 1877 and the mid-1960s, designed to disenfranchise and segregate African Americans. These laws were a direct consequence of the end of Reconstruction and the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, leading to a period of widespread racial discrimination and violence.
Campaign Staffers
Individuals who work on political campaigns, performing various tasks such as communications, fundraising, and organizing. They play a crucial role in supporting candidates and shaping campaign strategies.
Proving Ground
A challenging and demanding environment that tests individuals' skills and abilities, often leading to personal and professional growth. The 2008 presidential campaign is described as a proving ground for many campaign staffers.
Political Polarization
The widening gap between opposing political ideologies and perspectives, often leading to increased conflict and difficulty in finding common ground. This concept is illustrated by the intense rivalry between campaign staffers from opposing parties.
Transition Dynamics
The complex changes and adjustments that occur when individuals move from one political campaign to another, particularly after a primary loss. This involves navigating new relationships, adapting to different campaign strategies, and potentially facing criticism from former colleagues.
Q&A
How close is the 2024 presidential race, and what are the key battleground states?
The race is incredibly close, with polling averages showing Kamala Harris with a slight lead nationally. However, the swing state margins are extremely tight, with Pennsylvania being essentially tied. Harris would likely need to win Pennsylvania or a combination of other states like Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, or Arizona to secure victory.
What is the political strategy behind Kamala Harris's economic proposals?
Harris's economic proposals aim to portray her as a champion of the middle class and small businesses, contrasting her with Donald Trump, who is seen as favoring the wealthy and large corporations. Her focus on small business tax credits and a lower capital gains tax increase is designed to appeal to voters struggling with the cost of living.
What are the potential implications of Liz Cheney's endorsement of Kamala Harris?
Cheney's endorsement could be significant in swaying some center-right leaning independent voters, particularly in swing states like Georgia and Arizona. However, her high profile and controversial stance against Trump may not resonate with all voters, and her endorsement could be more effective in targeted digital ads or social media campaigns.
What are the parallels between the 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election and the current political climate?
The 1872 election highlights the fragility of democracy and the potential for violence and corruption to undermine fair elections. The events of that election, including the Colfax Massacre and the Supreme Court's decision to limit federal intervention in civil rights, laid the groundwork for the Jim Crow era. While the current political climate is not as violent, the book's exploration of the past serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.
What were some of the challenges faced by campaign staffers during the 2008 presidential campaign?
The 2008 campaign was incredibly demanding, with long hours, intense pressure, and constant scrutiny. Staffers often worked tirelessly, facing significant stress and fatigue.
How did the relationship between staffers from opposing campaigns evolve during the 2008 election?
While there was a sense of rivalry and competition, there were also moments of camaraderie and understanding. Some staffers even developed friendships despite working for opposing candidates.
What are some of the challenges faced by staffers who switch sides from a losing primary campaign to a winning one?
It can be difficult to transition from a losing campaign to a winning one, as staffers may face criticism from former colleagues and need to adapt to new campaign strategies and priorities.
Show Notes
As the final campaign sprint begins, both candidates roll out plans on the issue that matters most to undecided voters: the economy. Republican truth-teller Liz Cheney throws her support behind Kamala Harris, while other Republicans quietly cross their fingers for a Trump defeat—even as Harris and Walz remain, in their campaign manager’s words, “clear underdogs.” Then, CNN’s Dana Bash joins the show to talk about the debate that changed everything and what to expect in next week’s big face-off.
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.
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