Harris's Economic Focus: Kamala Harris effectively addressed her economic plan in a recent interview, emphasizing her commitment to fighting price gouging and connecting with workers. Her strong performance suggests she could benefit from more interviews and potential economic debates with Trump to leverage her policies and engage voters.
Kamala Harris has been actively promoting her economic policies, particularly addressing issues like price gouging. In a recent interview, she stressed the importance of standing up for the everyday American worker, recalling her own experience working at McDonald's. Critics claim she never worked there, but she reaffirmed her past job to highlight the challenges fast food workers face today. The interview showcased her passion for economic issues, demonstrating her ability to articulate her viewpoints clearly under pressure. Those who watched agreed that her performance was strong and that she might benefit from more interviews that focus on substantive issues, particularly economic debates against Donald Trump. Since Trump has gained a perception advantage, engaging him in an economic debate could help Harris leverage her policies and connect better with voters, emphasizing that the contrast between their messages is significant and important for the election.
Connecting with Voters: Candidates should be direct in interviews, balancing core values with detailed answers. Authentic speeches connecting with the audience are essential. Highlighting clear economic plans for the middle class will resonate better with voters.
Candidates often struggle to find the right balance during debates and interviews. It’s important for them to start with their core values but, in interviews, they should directly answer questions. A recent candidate showed growth by becoming more detailed and authentic in her responses, moving away from clichés. When addressing hypothetical questions, she can clarify her intentions, like working with Congress on tax plans, which is simpler than it seems. Delivering a strong speech in Pittsburgh highlighted her plans for the middle class, contrasting with her opponents. However, speeches need to be engaging, punchy, and resonate with voters. Authenticity and connection with the audience are vital, even in interviews. The campaign emphasizes that she has a clear plan, aiming to relate with voters who may not have reviewed all her material.
Capitalism for All: Kamala Harris aims to appeal to middle-class voters by promoting capitalism that benefits everyone, while also presenting herself as a strong leader through recent public appearances and policies.
Kamala Harris is crafting a message aimed at middle-class Americans by declaring her support for capitalism, which she argues must work for everyone. This strategic approach seeks to combat negative portrayals from opponents and reassure both center-right and younger voters that she stands for middle-class interests and against corporate greed. She emphasizes that economic policies, such as tax credits, are not just technical details but statements of advocacy for the people. By framing her economic stance this way, she hopes to build trust with voters who question whether she will fight for their needs rather than those of corporations. At the same time, her recent appearances next to leaders in the midst of international crises may also serve to enhance her image as a strong, competent leader ready for significant responsibilities.
Strengthening Leadership: Kamala Harris is actively working to reshape her public image as a strong leader by addressing immigration issues through strategic appearances, countering perceptions of radicalism, and appealing to key voter demographics.
Kamala Harris is focusing on strengthening her image as a strong leader through strategic public appearances, like meeting with Zelensky and visiting the border. This is meant to counter perceptions that label her as a radical and highlight her centrist values. By addressing immigration, particularly in key electoral states, she aims to reshape the narrative around her policies and take on Trump’s strong stance on this issue. Harris understands that addressing voter concerns, especially about immigration, is crucial for gaining support, especially among younger voters. Her campaign plans to incorporate these appearances into ads that will showcase her action-oriented approach to border security and comprehensive immigration reform, countering Trump's influence in media.
Narrative of Victimhood: Trump uses rhetoric about assassination attempts to create a narrative of victimhood and rally support, intertwining it with economic issues to maintain political momentum, despite a lack of evidence and coherence in his messaging.
Trump’s recent rally speech hinted at assassination attempts against him, fueling a narrative of victimhood against foreign threats, especially Iran. This strategy aims to rally support by portraying himself as a target of powerful forces. Throughout, he shifts from economic talking points to these dramatic claims, trying to galvanize his base and keep the narrative alive, despite a lack of concrete evidence linking Iran to threats against him. His remarks are reminiscent of tactics used by dictators to consolidate power by framing themselves as under attack. The focus on the assassination attempts seems to be a way to maintain political momentum as his campaign aims to harness public emotion and fear, especially following a notable rise in his approval after the first attempt. However, blending these themes with economic discussions appears ineffective and may confuse voters rather than solidify support.
Trump's Chaos: Trump's press conference was a chaotic mix of strange accusations, rambling comments, and odd defenses of Eric Adams. He criticized Kamala Harris and highlighted his extreme beliefs on immigration. His disjointed remarks spark concern about his readiness for a presidential role.
Donald Trump held a lengthy press conference where he expressed various opinions, including criticism of Kamala Harris and attacking the media. He defended Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, after his indictment, suggesting it was due to harsh immigration policies. Trump’s remarks were disjointed and repetitive, shifting between topics like the 25th Amendment, Nancy Pelosi, and immigration, making it hard to follow. He seemed to aim for attention ahead of Harris's visit to the border. Trump exhibited a loose connection to facts, claiming strange things about immigration while presenting mixed views on Democrats. Overall, the event highlighted his controversial style of speaking and how he often connects unrelated issues, demonstrating his unusual approach to communicating his thoughts. Such events raise concerns about the implications of his possible return to presidency given his dramatic and chaotic style of discourse.
Trump's Luxury Brand: Trump's promotion of luxury goods raises concerns about his commitment to working-class voters, highlighting a disconnect in his populist image and the realities facing Americans.
Donald Trump continues to market expensive products, like his $100,000 watches, which raises questions about his allegiance to working-class voters. As inflation is a major concern for many Americans, this extravagant selling approach could be seen as tone-deaf. Political figures, like Kamala Harris, should capitalize on this to highlight the disconnect between Trump's brand and the struggles of everyday people. The conversation reflects a broader commentary on how the Republican Party under Trump seems to prioritize materialism over the concerns of the working class, making it difficult to understand his motives. As he promotes his goods, it challenges the idea that he is a champion of the working people, showing the complexities in political branding and public perception. This scenario illustrates how politics intertwine with commercialism in today's society, leading to debate about authenticity and values.
Voter Disconnection: Young Black women feel overlooked by political leaders, frustrated by vague messaging on issues like student loans and police violence. They're looking for specific actions from candidates to engage their vote effectively.
Many young women, particularly Black women, feel disconnected from political messaging, feeling their concerns around issues like police violence and student loans aren't being adequately addressed. They are looking for specific actions from leaders like Kamala Harris rather than vague promises. This highlights the need for clearer communication from the Democratic Party to engage these crucial voters effectively. Younger voters, especially Black women, feel overlooked and taken for granted, which diminishes their enthusiasm for participating in elections. The frustration around the messaging of policies, such as student loan relief and reproductive rights, emphasizes that simply implementing programs isn't enough; the information must be effectively conveyed to show how those programs benefit their lives. Meaningful engagement requires listening to their needs and demonstrating clear, actionable steps to address pressing issues that matter to them.
Engagement Gap: Young Black women are engaged but often feel misunderstood and overlooked in political discussions. Their political information comes from social media rather than traditional news, making it crucial for leaders to connect with them more effectively to enhance their electoral participation.
Young Black women are an important yet often overlooked demographic in elections. While they care deeply about issues affecting their families and communities, many feel misunderstood by those in power. They often receive their political information from non-traditional platforms like social media and podcasts, rather than mainstream news. This gap in understanding about governmental processes contributes to their disconnection from politics. The discussion highlights that Democratic leaders need to engage these women more effectively, acknowledging their concerns and ensuring that their voices are amplified in the electoral process. Their voting choices are influenced by the urgency of the current crisis, yet they feel that their needs are not sufficiently addressed, making them uncertain about participating in the electoral process.
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Kamala Pitches Populism, Trump Hawks Watches
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Billionaire Personality Disorder
Live from Philly, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, Dan, and MSNBC's Symone Sanders Townsend discuss Trump's rally with Elon Musk, Kamala Harris's media blitz, and reports that she plans to distance herself more from Joe Biden. Then, Senator Bob Casey drops by to nerd out about Pennsylvania electoral maps and to talk about his re-election fight against a Connecticut hedge fund guy—and why Pennsylvania voters have everything on the line this November.
Trump’s Hurricane of Lies
Live from Ann Arbor, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, and Dan are joined by special guest host Leah Litman, co-host of Strict Scrutiny and Michigan’s own legal whiz! With just four weeks until Election Day they dive into the latest in the presidential race—Kamala Harris’s more aggressive strategy, Donald Trump’s wild new conspiracy about Hurricane Helene, and Melania Trump’s surprise stance on abortion. Plus, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin stops by to talk about her Senate race and what Democrats need to do to win in November.
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.
Kamala Harris & Liz Cheney Take on Donald Trump
October is here... and so are the surprises. Special Counsel Jack Smith brings Trump’s 2020 election conspiracy back into the headlines, while Harris teams up with Liz Cheney to campaign in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Harris and Biden face fresh challenges: Hurricane Helene recovery and spiraling Middle East tensions. Dan and Jon explore how Trump’s legal troubles could shape the final stretch of the race, and whether Harris will turn the spotlight back to Trump's threat to democracy. Plus, Stacey Abrams stops by to break down Georgia’s new voting restrictions and how to make sure your vote counts.
To hear the rest of this Inside 2024 episode, and to catch all past and future episodes, be sure to sign up for Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.
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.
Hot Takes on a Low Key Debate
Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy break down Tim Walz's great arguments about democracy and reproductive rights, JD Vance's distortions on Obamacare and immigration, and the other moments that might—might!—break through from a surprisingly collegial vice presidential debate.
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.
Can Tim Walz Out-Debate JD Vance?
Tim Walz and JD Vance prepare for the last big moment of the campaign: Tuesday's vice presidential debate. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy handicap Walz's strengths and weaknesses and offer their advice on lines of attack. Plus, just a day after threatening a "really violent" police purge, Donald Trump travels to hurricane-ravaged Georgia to lie about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris deliberately holding up aid. Then, legendary strategist James Carville stops by to talk about where the race stands and how Harris can pull out a win.
You can support disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Helene by donating now at votesaveamerica.com/helene
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.
Kamala Pitches Populism, Trump Hawks Watches
Harris gives another big economic speech and sits for an interview about protecting consumers and growing the middle class. Trump, meanwhile, claims Iran is trying to kill him, accuses Harris of lying about working at McDonald’s, defends newly indicted Mayor Eric Adams, and engages in yet another grift: selling branded watches. Jon and Dan break down all the latest, including Harris’s upcoming border visit, and chat with Strict Scrutiny’s Melissa Murray about her new MSNBC special on Black women and their potential to decide the election.
Is Trump God's Gift to Women?
Lovett and guest host Errin Haines break down Kamala Harris's efforts to close the gap with Donald Trump on the economy, and what might be behind Trump's deranged new appeal to women voters. Then, Fox News's Jessica Tarlov, cohost of The Five, stops by to talk about what it's like to be a Democrat on the network Democrats love to hate, and how she survives her daily confrontations with Fox's most opinionated conservatives.
Is Trump Winning the Sun Belt?
Six weeks out from Election Day, new polls show Harris leading nationally, but Trump still ahead in key Sun Belt states. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy dive into Harris's push for a second debate, Trump's undisciplined campaign operation, and Mark Robinson staying in the North Carolina governor’s race— even after his team quit. Then, Tommy chats with Chenjerai Kumanyika about his new series, Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD.
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Kamala Up, Lovett Down
Another day, another round of maddening polls showing the race locked in place—with Harris ever-so-slightly ahead—even as voters agree that she beat Trump handily in the debate. Jon and Dan go through the latest numbers, preview the Harris campaign's reproductive rights event with Oprah Winfrey, and attempt to process the revelations about North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's, um, online interests. Then, Tommy, Jon, and Dan debrief Lovett on his (spoiler alert!) brief but iconic run on Survivor.
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.
Harris Denounces Trump's Pet-Eating Conspiracy
Kamala Harris drives a contrast message with an appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists and gives a searing answer about Trump and Vance's lies about Haitian immigrants. Dan and guest host Addisu Demissie discuss Harris's off-the-cuff performance, how she can keep her momentum up post-debate, and Donald Trump's snoozer of a town hall in Michigan. Then they break down the latest polls and the overall state of the race with less than 50 days to go before the election.
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.