The Coronation of Kamala Harris
1Digest
The podcast begins with an overview of the topics to be discussed, including Joe Biden's decision to step aside from the presidential race, Kamala Harris's emergence as the Democratic nominee, the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt against Trump, and a Slate Plus episode on Judge Aline Cannon's ruling in the classified documents case. The podcast then delves into the reasons behind Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, highlighting the role of polling data, financial constraints, and pressure from within the Democratic Party. The discussion explores the influence of key figures like Nancy Pelosi and the internal struggle within the Biden administration. Next, the podcast examines Kamala Harris's emergence as the unchallenged Democratic nominee, discussing the initial wave of enthusiasm and the potential challenges she faces. The discussion explores her strengths and weaknesses as a candidate, including her prosecutorial background and her ability to connect with different voter demographics. The podcast then focuses on the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt against Trump, questioning the agency's preparedness and communication protocols. The discussion analyzes the events leading up to the shooting, the lack of answers provided by Kimberly Cheetle, and the potential for gender bias in her dismissal. Finally, the podcast concludes with a segment on cocktail chatter, where the hosts share their thoughts on various topics, including dogs and their response to stress, recommendations for other podcasts, and Emily's experience watching the Tour de France.
Outlines
Biden's Withdrawal, Harris's Candidacy, and the Secret Service
This episode explores Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, Kamala Harris's emergence as the Democratic nominee, and the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt against Trump.
Joe Biden's Decision to Step Aside
The podcast delves into the reasons behind Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, highlighting the role of polling data, financial constraints, and pressure from within the Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris's Candidacy
The podcast examines Kamala Harris's emergence as the unchallenged Democratic nominee, discussing the initial wave of enthusiasm and the potential challenges she faces.
Secret Service Failure and the Assassination Attempt
The podcast focuses on the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt against Trump, questioning the agency's preparedness and communication protocols.
Cocktail Chatter
The podcast concludes with a segment on cocktail chatter, where the hosts share their thoughts on various topics, including dogs and their response to stress, recommendations for other podcasts, and Emily's experience watching the Tour de France.
Keywords
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He served as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Biden is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the 49th and current vice president of the United States. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold the office. Harris served as a U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021.
Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the president, vice president, and other high-ranking officials. The agency also investigates financial crimes, such as counterfeiting and identity theft.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States. He is a member of the Republican Party and was a successful businessman before entering politics. Trump's presidency was marked by controversy and division.
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is the first woman to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades. Pelosi is known for her strong leadership and her commitment to progressive causes.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. The party is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum and advocates for social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection.
Assassination Attempt
An assassination attempt is an act of violence intended to kill a high-ranking official, such as a president or a prime minister. Assassination attempts can be carried out by individuals or groups and can be motivated by political, religious, or personal reasons.
Classified Documents
Classified documents are government documents that contain information that is considered to be sensitive or secret. These documents are typically marked with a classification level, such as "confidential," "secret," or "top secret." Access to classified documents is restricted to authorized personnel.
Q&A
What were the key factors that led to Joe Biden's decision to step aside from the presidential race?
Biden's decision was influenced by a combination of factors, including declining poll numbers, financial constraints, and pressure from within the Democratic Party. Key figures like Nancy Pelosi played a significant role in urging him to withdraw.
What are the potential strengths and weaknesses of Kamala Harris's candidacy?
Harris's strengths include her prosecutorial background, which she can use to attack Trump's record, and her ability to connect with diverse voter demographics. However, she faces challenges in appealing to older white voters and non-college white voters in the Midwest.
What are the main concerns regarding the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt against Trump?
The Secret Service's communication protocols, perimeter security, and overall preparedness are being questioned. The lack of answers provided by Kimberly Cheetle, the former head of the agency, has further raised concerns.
How might Kamala Harris's campaign strategy differ from Joe Biden's?
Harris is likely to focus on issues like the care economy and her prosecutorial background to counter the "liberal" label. She may also choose a running mate who can help her appeal to swing states and energize specific constituencies.
Show Notes
This week, hosts Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson are joined by Washington Post associate editor and columnist Ruth Marcus. They President Joe Biden’s big step down, how the race is evolving with Kamala Harris stepping in as the presumptive nominee, and the fallout of the Secret Service.
Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Ethan Oberman and Cheyna Roth
Research by Ethan Oberman
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