Will Harris Get Trump to Self-Destruct at the Debate?
3Digest
The podcast begins by discussing JD Vance's political transformation, noting his shift from a potential political wildcard to a staunch Trump supporter. It then transitions to a preview of the upcoming presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, analyzing their past debate performances and the dynamics leading up to the event. The podcast explores Kamala Harris's strategic challenges in the debate, including defending the Biden administration, presenting a new vision, and countering Trump's attacks. It delves into the financial aspects of the 2024 campaign, discussing the fundraising prowess of the Harris campaign and the impact of super PACs on the political landscape. The podcast concludes with a discussion about how political journalists and analysts approach presidential debates, including their methods for covering the event and their personal experiences.
Outlines
The 2024 Presidential Debate Preview
This podcast analyzes the upcoming presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, exploring their strategies, the role of money in politics, and how political analysts approach covering these events.
Kamala Harris's Strategy
The podcast explores Kamala Harris's strategic challenges in the debate, including defending the Biden administration, presenting a new vision, and countering Trump's attacks.
Money in Politics
The podcast delves into the financial aspects of the 2024 campaign, discussing the fundraising prowess of the Harris campaign and the impact of super PACs on the political landscape.
How the Pros Watch Debates
The podcast concludes with a discussion about how political journalists and analysts approach presidential debates, including their methods for covering the event and their personal experiences.
Keywords
Super PACs
Political action committees that can raise unlimited funds from corporations, unions, and individuals, and spend them independently to support or oppose candidates.
Authenticity
The quality of being genuine and true to oneself, often considered a key factor in political campaigns, as voters seek candidates who appear relatable and sincere.
Viral Moments
Short, memorable clips or events from political debates or campaigns that spread rapidly online, often shaping public perception and influencing the narrative.
Joyful Warrior
A term used to describe Kamala Harris's political style, characterized by a combination of strength, determination, and a sense of optimism and humor.
Leadership Presence
The ability to inspire confidence and trust in others, often characterized by strong communication skills, decisiveness, and a clear vision for the future.
Trump's Strategies
Donald Trump's approach to debates often involves aggressive attacks, personal insults, and a focus on repeating key talking points, regardless of factual accuracy.
Debate Dynamics
The interplay between candidates and moderators during a debate, including the use of interruptions, rebuttals, and strategic maneuvering to gain an advantage.
Q&A
What are the key strategic challenges facing Kamala Harris in the upcoming debate?
Harris must defend the Biden administration's record, present a compelling vision for the future, and effectively counter Trump's attacks while maintaining her own composure and authenticity.
How has the role of money in politics evolved since the 2000 election?
The Citizens United decision in 2010 significantly altered the landscape, allowing for unlimited spending by corporations and wealthy individuals, leading to a dramatic increase in dark money and super PACs.
What are some of the key factors that political analysts will be looking for in the debate?
Analysts will be watching for viral moments, how the candidates handle interruptions and attacks, and whether they can effectively communicate their policies and vision for the future.
How do political journalists and analysts approach covering presidential debates?
Many journalists will be writing live blogs or articles, while others will be analyzing the debate in real time and providing commentary on social media. The experience can be highly stressful, as they must quickly process and synthesize information to meet deadlines.
What are some of the potential implications of the debate for the rest of the election?
The debate could influence fundraising, voter enthusiasm, and the overall narrative of the campaign. It could also provide insights into the candidates' strengths and weaknesses, potentially shifting the momentum of the race.
Show Notes
The Washington Roundtable revisits Vice-President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s past debate performances and considers how the candidates might approach next week’s showdown. “Trump doesn’t do subdued self-defense,” Evan Osnos says. “He’ll come back furious and basically do a lot of the work for [Harris] of showing, to borrow one of his favorite adjectives, what a ‘nasty’ guy he is. I think that could be pretty effective for her.” Plus, where the fund-raising race stands with Election Day only two months away.
This week’s reading:
- “Can Red-Baiting Save Trump’s Flailing Campaign?,” by Susan B. Glasser
- “How Kamala Harris’s Coalition Changes the Race for Congress,” by Isaac Chotiner
- “Do Celebrity Presidential Endorsements Matter?,” by Tyler Foggatt
To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send in feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com with “The Political Scene” in the subject line.
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