What kind of Democrat should Kamala Harris be?
Digest
Jonathan Chait, a political columnist at New York Magazine, argues that the Democratic Party made a mistake in viewing the Obama presidency as a failure. He believes this mischaracterization has led to a shift within the party towards a more progressive stance, potentially hindering Kamala Harris's potential presidency. Chait highlights Obama's significant domestic policy achievements, including Obamacare, the economic rescue effort, and the Dodd-Frank reforms, arguing that these accomplishments have been overshadowed by the focus on perceived failures and the rise of progressive activism. He discusses the anti-Obama campaign that emerged during the Trump era, which influenced the 2020 Democratic primary, leading candidates to adopt more left-leaning positions. Chait explains how Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 Democratic primary was due in part to his connection to Obama and Obama's center-left approach. However, Biden's subsequent shift to the left, influenced by progressive advisors, has led to a disconnect between his rhetoric and his actual achievements. Chait criticizes the progressive narrative that portrays Biden as a successful president, despite his unpopularity. He argues that Biden's rhetoric has moved to the left, but his actual accomplishments have been limited. Chait suggests that Obama's approach to governing, characterized by a focus on common sense solutions and empathy for traditional values, could serve as a model for Kamala Harris. He believes this approach could help her navigate the political landscape and achieve success. Chait analyzes Kamala Harris's early campaign decisions, suggesting that she is taking a more moderate approach, distancing herself from the progressive positions she adopted in 2020. He believes this strategy is a positive sign for her potential presidency. Chait discusses the importance of policy in the 2024 election, acknowledging the polarized political landscape. He argues that while many voters are firmly aligned with one party, there are still persuadable voters who may be influenced by policy positions.
Outlines
Obama's Legacy: A Failure or a Model for Kamala Harris?
Jonathan Chait argues that the Democratic Party made a mistake in viewing the Obama presidency as a failure, and this mischaracterization has led to a shift within the party towards a more progressive stance, potentially hindering Kamala Harris's potential presidency.
Obama's Domestic Policy Accomplishments and the Rise of Progressivism
Chait highlights Obama's significant domestic policy achievements, including Obamacare, the economic rescue effort, and the Dodd-Frank reforms, arguing that these accomplishments have been overshadowed by the focus on perceived failures and the rise of progressive activism.
The Anti-Obama Campaign and its Impact on the 2020 Democratic Primary
Chait discusses the anti-Obama campaign that emerged during the Trump era, which influenced the 2020 Democratic primary, leading candidates to adopt more left-leaning positions.
Biden's Presidency: Rhetoric vs. Reality
Chait criticizes the progressive narrative that portrays Biden as a successful president, despite his unpopularity. He argues that Biden's rhetoric has moved to the left, but his actual accomplishments have been limited.
Keywords
Obama Liberalism
A political philosophy associated with Barack Obama's presidency, characterized by a focus on pragmatism, centrism, and a belief in the power of government to address social and economic problems.
Progressive Activism
A political movement that advocates for social and economic justice, often characterized by a focus on issues such as income inequality, racial justice, and climate change.
Respectability Politics
A strategy employed by marginalized groups to gain acceptance and legitimacy in the eyes of dominant groups by conforming to their norms and values.
Neoliberalism
A political ideology that emphasizes free markets, privatization, deregulation, and individual responsibility.
Bi-nomics
A political approach that seeks to find common ground and compromise between different political ideologies, often characterized by a focus on bipartisanship.
Racial Equity
The principle of fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and opportunities, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Mount Rushmore Presidency
A term used to describe a presidency that is considered to be exceptionally consequential and impactful, often compared to the presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore.
Vibe Politics
A political approach that emphasizes emotional connection and personal appeal over policy positions and substantive arguments.
Q&A
What is Jonathan Chait's main argument about the Obama presidency and its impact on the Democratic Party?
Chait argues that the Democratic Party made a mistake in viewing the Obama presidency as a failure, and this mischaracterization has led to a shift within the party towards a more progressive stance, potentially hindering Kamala Harris's potential presidency.
How does Chait explain the disconnect between Biden's rhetoric and his actual achievements?
Chait suggests that Biden's shift to the left, influenced by progressive advisors, has led to a disconnect between his rhetoric and his actual achievements. He argues that Biden has adopted more progressive language but has not been able to achieve significant policy changes.
What does Chait see as the potential model for Kamala Harris's presidency?
Chait believes that Obama's approach to governing, characterized by a focus on common sense solutions and empathy for traditional values, could serve as a model for Kamala Harris. He suggests that this approach could help her navigate the political landscape and achieve success.
How does Chait assess Kamala Harris's early campaign decisions?
Chait suggests that Kamala Harris is taking a more moderate approach, distancing herself from the progressive positions she adopted in 2020. He believes this strategy is a positive sign for her potential presidency.
What is Chait's perspective on the role of policy in the 2024 election?
Chait acknowledges the polarized political landscape but argues that policy still matters, particularly for persuadable voters who may be influenced by policy positions. He believes that taking positions that voters agree with can make it easier to win elections.
Show Notes
The last two Democratic presidents took distinct approaches toward leading their party and the nation. New York magazine’s Jonathan Chait explains why he thinks Kamala Harris should embrace Barack Obama’s style of governance over Joe Biden’s.
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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