VP Picks Her VP

Update: 2024-08-06

Digest

The podcast begins by discussing Kamala Harris's campaign staff, highlighting the addition of prominent Democratic operatives like David Pluff, Mitch Stewart, and Stephanie Cutter. The hosts then delve into potential VP picks for Harris, focusing on Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, and Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota. They discuss the strengths of each candidate and their potential to help Harris win key swing states. The hosts also speculate on the possibility of a surprise VP pick, mentioning candidates like Kelly, Bashir, and Pete Buttigieg. The podcast then shifts to Donald Trump's withdrawal from the scheduled ABC debate with Kamala Harris and his demand for a Fox News debate with a full arena audience. The hosts analyze Trump's motivations for backing out and Harris's strong response, highlighting the contrast between the two campaigns. They also discuss Trump's attacks on Harris, calling her a "radical left freak" and a "phony," as well as his attacks on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Finally, the hosts discuss RFK Jr.'s bizarre story about planting the body of a dead bear cub in Central Park. They analyze the story's absurdity and its potential impact on his campaign.

Outlines

00:00:00

Kamala Harris's Campaign Staff and Potential VP Picks

The podcast discusses Kamala Harris's campaign staff, highlighting the addition of prominent Democratic operatives. It then explores potential VP picks for Harris, focusing on Josh Shapiro and Tim Walz, and speculates on the possibility of a surprise pick.

00:23:39

The Debate: Trump's Withdrawal and Harris's Response

The podcast analyzes Donald Trump's withdrawal from the scheduled ABC debate with Kamala Harris and his demand for a Fox News debate with a full arena audience. It highlights the contrast between the two campaigns and Trump's attacks on Harris.

00:31:21

Trump's Attacks on Kamala Harris and Brian Kemp

The podcast discusses Trump's attacks on Kamala Harris, calling her a "radical left freak" and a "phony," as well as his attacks on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

00:40:24

RFK Jr.'s Bizarre Bear Cub Story

The podcast discusses RFK Jr.'s bizarre story about planting the body of a dead bear cub in Central Park, analyzing its absurdity and its potential impact on his campaign.

Keywords

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is an American politician who served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2023. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold the office.

Josh Shapiro

Josh Shapiro is an American politician who serves as the 48th Governor of Pennsylvania. He previously served as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2023.

Tim Walz

Tim Walz is an American politician who serves as the 41st Governor of Minnesota. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district from 2007 to 2019.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.

Brian Kemp

Brian Kemp is an American politician who serves as the 83rd Governor of Georgia. He previously served as the 28th Secretary of State of Georgia from 2010 to 2018.

RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American environmental lawyer, author, and anti-vaccine activist. He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of John F. Kennedy.

VP Pick

The selection of a running mate for a presidential candidate.

Swing State

A state in which the outcome of an election is uncertain and could go to either candidate.

Q&A

What are some of the key challenges of integrating new talent into an existing campaign?
Integrating new talent into an existing campaign can be challenging due to personal dynamics, potential conflicts from past primary battles, and the need to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding messaging and strategy.
Why is Pennsylvania considered a crucial swing state in the upcoming election?
Pennsylvania is considered a crucial swing state because it has a history of close elections and its electoral votes are essential for a candidate to reach the 270 needed to win the presidency.
What are some of the potential benefits of Tim Walz as a VP pick for Kamala Harris?
Tim Walz's appeal to moderate voters, his strong record as governor, and his ability to connect with voters in key swing states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan make him a potentially valuable asset to Kamala Harris's campaign.
What are some of the reasons why Donald Trump might be hesitant to participate in a debate with Kamala Harris?
Donald Trump might be hesitant to debate Kamala Harris because he fears appearing old, angry, and unhinged next to her. He might also be concerned about losing ground in the polls and prefers to avoid the scrutiny of a live debate.
What is the significance of RFK Jr.'s bizarre bear cub story?
RFK Jr.'s bizarre bear cub story highlights his erratic behavior and lack of judgment, raising questions about his fitness for office. It also underscores his tendency to make outlandish claims and engage in self-promotion.

Show Notes

We're just hours away from the announcement of VP Harris's running mate—and she's reportedly narrowed it down to Gov. Tim Walz and Gov. Josh Shapiro. Jon and Lovett talk about what they love about both finalists, what the influx of Obama veterans like David Plouffe could mean for the Harris campaign, why Trump doesn't want to debate the Vice President, and Trump's grievance-filled rally in Atlanta. Finally, they play a round of "Okay, Stop" with RFK's bizarre bear cub admission.

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.