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Pollercoaster: State of the Race with Dan Pfeiffer (Subscription Preview)

Pollercoaster: State of the Race with Dan Pfeiffer (Subscription Preview)

Update: 2024-09-0310
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Digest

This podcast delves into the 2024 election landscape, focusing on the potential Democratic vice presidential candidates and their impact on the race. The discussion begins with an analysis of the 2020 election polls, particularly the underrepresentation of Trump voters, and its implications for the upcoming election. The experts then discuss Kamala Harris's strengths and weaknesses as a candidate, highlighting her advantages on abortion and her potential to capitalize on Biden administration successes while distancing herself from unpopular policies. The podcast also explores the potential impact of Tim Kaine's experience as Vice President, comparing his strengths to those of other potential candidates. The experts analyze the contrast between Tim Kaine and JD Vance, highlighting Kaine's unifying approach and Vance's divisive rhetoric. The discussion then shifts to the recent polling shifts since Kamala Harris became the nominee, highlighting increased enthusiasm among Democratic voters, particularly young people and African Americans. The experts discuss the need to target specific voter groups to achieve victory, analyzing the potential for Kamala Harris to improve on Biden's performance with women voters and the importance of mobilizing the base. The podcast concludes with a discussion of how Kamala Harris is reassembling the Democratic coalition, highlighting her success in bringing back young voters and voters of color, who were crucial to Biden's victory in 2020. The experts also discuss the importance of maintaining the Democratic coalition and the need to reach black voters, highlighting Kamala Harris's unique appeal to this group and the importance of exceeding Biden's 2020 numbers with them.

Outlines

00:01:17
2024 Election Landscape and Potential Vice Presidential Candidates

This chapter analyzes the 2020 election polls, particularly the underrepresentation of Trump voters, and its implications for the upcoming election. The experts discuss the potential for a similar underrepresentation in the 2024 election and the impact of vote-by-mail on turnout and ticket splitting.

00:03:29
Kamala Harris: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Potential Impact

This chapter discusses Kamala Harris's strengths and weaknesses as a candidate, highlighting her advantages on abortion and her potential to capitalize on Biden administration successes while distancing herself from unpopular policies. The experts also analyze her potential to appeal to different voter groups and address concerns about her stance on the border.

00:08:17
Tim Kaine vs. JD Vance: A Contrast in Approaches

This chapter analyzes the contrast between Tim Kaine and JD Vance, highlighting Kaine's unifying approach and Vance's divisive rhetoric. The experts discuss the potential impact of this contrast on the election, particularly among women voters, and the importance of mobilizing the base.

00:13:53
Reassembling the Democratic Coalition and Reaching Black Voters

This chapter discusses how Kamala Harris is reassembling the Democratic coalition, highlighting her success in bringing back young voters and voters of color, who were crucial to Biden's victory in 2020. The experts also discuss the importance of maintaining the Democratic coalition and the need to reach black voters, highlighting Kamala Harris's unique appeal to this group and the importance of exceeding Biden's 2020 numbers with them.

Keywords

Shy Trump Voter


A term used to describe Trump supporters who may be hesitant to express their support for him in polls due to social stigma or fear of judgment.

Ticket Splitting


The practice of voting for candidates from different political parties in the same election, often for different offices.

Vote-by-Mail


A method of voting in which ballots are mailed to voters, who then return them by mail.

Enthusiasm Gap


The difference in the level of enthusiasm between supporters of different candidates or parties.

Third Party Candidate


A candidate who is not affiliated with one of the two major political parties in a given election.

Voter Suppression


Efforts to prevent or discourage eligible voters from casting their ballots, often through discriminatory practices or policies.

Q&A

  • How do the polls underrepresenting Trump voters in 2016 and 2020 impact the 2024 election?

    The experts are concerned that Trump voters may be underrepresented again in 2024, potentially leading to inaccurate predictions. They are also concerned about the impact of vote-by-mail on turnout and ticket splitting.

  • What are Kamala Harris's strengths and weaknesses as a candidate?

    Harris has advantages on abortion and the potential to take credit for Biden administration successes. However, she is relatively unknown and needs to address concerns about her stance on the border.

  • How will Tim Kaine's experience as Vice President impact the election?

    Kaine's executive experience, Midwestern values, and ability to address \"woke agenda\" concerns are seen as strengths. However, his lack of a home state advantage in key battleground states is a potential risk.

  • What is the significance of the contrast between Tim Kaine and JD Vance?

    Kaine's unifying approach is seen as a stark contrast to Vance's divisive rhetoric. This contrast could be particularly impactful among women voters, who are crucial to victory.

  • How have the polls shifted since Kamala Harris became the nominee?

    There has been an increase in enthusiasm among Democratic voters, particularly young people and African Americans. The collapse of third-party candidates has also benefited Harris.

  • What are the key voter groups that Kamala Harris needs to target to win the election?

    Harris needs to improve on Biden's performance with women voters and mobilize the base, particularly young voters and voters of color.

  • How is Kamala Harris reassembling the Democratic coalition?

    Harris is successfully bringing back young voters and voters of color, who were crucial to Biden's victory in 2020. This is helping to reassemble the Democratic coalition that was splintering.

  • What are the key challenges in reaching black voters?

    Harris needs to exceed Biden's 2020 numbers with black voters, particularly young voters and women. She has a unique appeal to this group, but there is still work to be done.

  • How can the campaign inject joy and hope into the race?

    The campaign needs to focus on Kamala Harris's strengths and positive message, rather than simply attacking Trump. This will help to inject joy and hope into the race and appeal to voters who are tired of negativity.

Show Notes

Lean into the long Labor Day weekend with a special 'Best Of' preview episode of Crooked’s subscriber-exclusive series, Pollercoaster. In this episode, enjoy highlights featuring Dan Pfeiffer and expert guests as they share their insights on latest polls and the state of the Presidential elections. 

Don’t miss out on future episodes – be sure to sign up for Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends

More on Pollercoaster: Does every new poll make you want to crawl under your desk and get into the fetal position? Do you hate the polls but can’t quit them? Well, we have a podcast that’s just for you (and us!). Pollercoaster is Crooked’s new home for exclusive in-depth analysis across the biggest national polls, latest voter trends, and closest races up and down the ballot. Join former White House Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer and a series of expert guests to break down the polls, unpack what they actually mean, and whether or not it’s time to hit the panic button. New episodes of Pollercoaster drop twice monthly for Friends of the Pod subscribers.

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Pollercoaster: State of the Race with Dan Pfeiffer (Subscription Preview)

Pollercoaster: State of the Race with Dan Pfeiffer (Subscription Preview)

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