Podcast Summary
Presidential Election Cycle: The period between Labor Day and Election Day is crucial in presidential elections, with voter engagement and participation playing a significant role in the outcome.
The period between Labor Day and Election Day in a presidential election cycle is crucial and can significantly impact the outcome of the race. This was evident in the 2012 and 2016 elections. In 2012, then-President Barack Obama faced a small lead over Mitt Romney, but with the help of voters, he managed to overcome a shoddy debate performance and went on to win the election. Similarly, in 2016, Hillary Clinton had a comfortable lead in the polls, but ultimately lost to Donald Trump in the electoral college. These examples illustrate the importance of voter engagement and participation during this critical time in the election cycle. Therefore, it's essential to stay informed, get involved, and make your voice heard to help shape the future of our country.
Election surprises: The election process can be unpredictable and full of surprises, even when polls suggest a clear winner. It's important to stay informed and pay close attention to developments throughout the election period.
The presidential election process, from Labor Day onwards, can be unpredictable and full of surprises. During Labor Day weekend 2020, Joe Biden met with union leaders despite polls suggesting a clear win, but the race turned out to be closer than anticipated. The election period, which can seem never-ending, requires constant attention as developments can occur rapidly. NPR's Paris Franco Ordonias and Domenico Montanaro have been following the election closely for over a year and a half and will continue to provide updates through Election Day and beyond. If you're a U.S. citizen living abroad, make sure to request your ballot through the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Turnout Projects online form at internationalvoter.com. And, for answers to your money-related questions in an easy-to-understand way, tune in to the Indicator from Planet Money and NPR.
Presidential Race Toss-up States: The presidential race between Trump and Harris remains tight in seven key states, with both candidates needing to continue their efforts to win over voters as the election approaches.
The presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris remains tightly contested, with seven key states - Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia - still in the toss-up category. Despite the intense focus on Harris' campaign this summer, including her strong performance in the Democratic convention and the subsequent polling gains, the race remains very close. Trump, on the other hand, has faced a lack of focus and momentum in his campaign. However, he has recently picked up the pace, making it essential for both candidates to continue their efforts to win over voters in these critical states as the election approaches. The outcome of this closely contested race could come down to the wire.
Trump's counter campaign against Harris: Trump has intensified his campaign efforts against Harris, focusing on policy contrasts and media engagement, while also benefiting from negative attention towards her
Since the Democratic National Convention, Donald Trump has intensified his campaign efforts to counter Kamala Harris's growing momentum. He has been holding multiple events in battleground states, increasing his media presence online, and engaging more with the news media. Trump's goal seems to be to present a clear contrast with the Harris campaign on policy issues and to criticize her for not engaging enough with the media. The Trump campaign has also been trying to capitalize on any negative attention towards Harris, such as allegations of past sexual favors for political gain, which the campaign arguably does not want but still benefits from. Despite losing his lead over the past couple of months, Trump appears determined to show that he can outwork Harris and keep the spotlight on himself.
Trump vs Harris: Harris is adopting a cautious approach to avoid getting dragged into Trump's controversies, unlike Obama and Clinton who approached their campaigns differently
During the Harris interview, it was noted that Trump has been launching personal attacks against her on various fronts. However, Harris chose not to engage in these attacks and instead stayed focused on her campaign. This strategy is significant because the last two Democratic nominees, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, approached their campaigns differently. Obama was careful not to make his race an issue to appeal to middle and white voters in swing states. Clinton, on the other hand, leaned heavily on her gender, which did not resonate with all voters. Kamala Harris has observed both strategies and is currently adopting a more cautious approach to avoid getting dragged into Trump's controversies.
Harris's campaign strategy: Kamala Harris is positioning herself as a unifier and pragmatic leader, focusing on middle-of-the-road issues to appeal to a broad voter base, while acknowledging and taking credit for the accomplishments of the Biden administration.
Kamala Harris is positioning herself as a unifier and a pragmatic leader, focusing on middle-of-the-road issues to appeal to a broad voter base. She's trying to strike a balance between distancing herself enough from the Biden administration to establish her own identity, while also acknowledging and taking credit for the accomplishments of the current administration. During the interview, she did not separate herself significantly from Joe Biden, and she did not distance herself much from his economic policies. Harris aims to win the argument on these policies by acknowledging the challenges and promising to build upon the progress made, rather than taking a defensive stance like Biden did. With seven states likely to determine the outcome of the election, Harris's ability to effectively communicate her approach and distinguish herself from her opponents will be crucial in the upcoming debates and beyond.
Momentum shift in election race: The Trump campaign acknowledges the shift in momentum towards the Biden-Harris ticket and responds with staff changes and intensified efforts to tie them to their policies.
The Trump campaign recognizes the momentum shift in the election race, as evidenced by Kamala Harris's wave of polling and fundraising success. They have no choice but to address it, leading to staff shakeups and a continued ramping up of efforts to tie Harris to the Biden administration and their policies. The election season is unfolding faster than ever before, and the candidates for November are set. The Trump campaign's message remains "Make America great again," but they must adapt to the changing dynamics of the race. This is a significant shift for the Trump campaign, who have recognized the need to respond to the momentum shift in order to remain competitive. Listen to the NPR Politics Podcast for new episodes every weekday to stay informed on the latest developments in the race.