What Kamala Harris Needs to Win the Presidency
2Digest
This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour delves into the potential of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president in 2024. Jennifer Paul Mary, a veteran of Democratic politics, provides insightful commentary on Harris's strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges she faces in a political landscape increasingly defined by identity politics. The episode begins with a discussion of the factors that led to Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, highlighting the influence of key figures like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer. Paul Mary then explores Harris's potential as a nominee, acknowledging the challenges she faces but expressing optimism based on her political talent and the anti-Trump coalition. The discussion then shifts to the changing dynamics of women in politics, with Paul Mary offering advice for women in leadership roles. She emphasizes the importance of showing strength and not being afraid to express emotions, drawing on her experiences working on Hillary Clinton's campaign. Paul Mary analyzes Trump's potential strategy against Harris, anticipating attacks based on identity politics and the DEI agenda. She suggests that Harris should focus on defining herself and pushing back against Trump's attacks. The episode also reflects on Harris's previous presidential campaign, highlighting the challenges she faced and the need for her to demonstrate her experience and accomplishments. Paul Mary emphasizes the importance of breaking through the "prove yourself more" barrier often faced by women in politics. The discussion concludes with Paul Mary offering her top three pieces of advice for Kamala Harris: stay true to herself, tell her story, and focus on the contrast between her and Trump. She emphasizes the importance of confidence and a strong team.
Outlines
Kamala Harris: The Democratic Nominee?
This episode explores the potential of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, analyzing her strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges she faces in a political landscape increasingly defined by identity politics.
Biden's Departure and Harris's Rise
The episode begins with a discussion of the factors that led to Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, highlighting the influence of key figures like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer. It then explores Harris's potential as a nominee, acknowledging the challenges she faces but expressing optimism based on her political talent and the anti-Trump coalition.
Women in Politics and the 2024 Election
The discussion shifts to the changing dynamics of women in politics, with Paul Mary offering advice for women in leadership roles. She emphasizes the importance of showing strength and not being afraid to express emotions, drawing on her experiences working on Hillary Clinton's campaign. The episode also analyzes Trump's potential strategy against Harris, anticipating attacks based on identity politics and the DEI agenda.
Advice for Kamala Harris
The episode concludes with Paul Mary offering her top three pieces of advice for Kamala Harris: stay true to herself, tell her story, and focus on the contrast between her and Trump. She emphasizes the importance of confidence and a strong team.
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 vice presidency.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is an American politician who served as the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2023. He previously served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama.
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. He is a controversial figure known for his outspoken views and business dealings.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum.
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-right on the political spectrum.
DEI
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is a framework for creating a more inclusive and equitable society by addressing systemic barriers and promoting representation.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is an American politician who served as the 67th United States Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. She was the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party in the United States.
2024 Election
The 2024 United States presidential election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. It will be the 59th quadrennial presidential election.
Q&A
What were the key factors that led to Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race?
Jennifer Paul Mary highlights the influence of key figures like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer, who expressed concerns about Biden's ability to win the election. She also mentions the role of internal polling that showed Biden facing a potential catastrophic loss.
What are the potential challenges and opportunities for Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee?
Paul Mary acknowledges that Harris faces challenges related to her past presidential run and the potential for attacks based on identity politics. However, she expresses optimism based on Harris's political talent, the anti-Trump coalition, and the possibility of a fresh start.
How should Kamala Harris respond to attacks from Donald Trump and his supporters?
Paul Mary advises Harris to focus on defining herself and pushing back against Trump's attacks. She emphasizes the importance of reminding voters of Harris's accomplishments and not being afraid to fight back against personal attacks.
What are the broader implications of the 2024 election for women in power?
Paul Mary argues that the election represents a fight for women in power to become the norm rather than the exception. She acknowledges the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the slow progress of women in leadership roles in the United States.
What is the significance of Kamala Harris's fundraising success?
Paul Mary highlights the correlation between fundraising and voter enthusiasm. She emphasizes that while money is important, it's the indication of excitement and support that truly matters.
What are your top three pieces of advice for Kamala Harris?
Paul Mary advises Harris to stay true to herself, tell her story, and focus on the contrast between her and Trump. She emphasizes the importance of confidence and a strong team.
Show Notes
Kamala Harris will face barriers as a woman running for the Presidency. “Women constantly have to credential themselves,” Jennifer Palmieri, a veteran of Democratic politics who served in the Clinton Administration, says. She was also the director of communications for the Obama White House, and then for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign. Harris will “need to remind people of what she has done in her career and what she’s done as Vice-President, because people assume that women haven’t accomplished anything.” But Harris also has notable strengths as a candidate, and—having avoided a bruising primary campaign and having been handed a torch from the incumbent—she has advantages that no other woman running for office has had. For a female candidate, the world has changed since 2016, Palmieri believes. She shares insights into how Joe Biden was finally persuaded to step out of the race, and explains what she meant by advising women to “nod less and cry more.”
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