Sarah Longwell on Kamala Harris and Suburban Women

TL;DR

Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris as his running mate, a choice that has both pros and cons for the Democratic ticket.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast i'm charlie sykes well to the surprise of nobody that was really paying attention uh joe biden has picked kamala harris it is pronounced kamala harris by the way just a note to tucker carlson who seems kind of kind of thin skinned about all of this so let's sort this out because we have what 83 to 83 days to go until ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏃 The choice of Kamala Harris as Biden's running mate was a strategic move to appeal to a broad base of voters and avoid giving the Trump campaign ammunition to label Biden as a socialist.
• 🤗 Focus groups indicate that soft Trump supporters are undecided but open to voting for Biden and Harris if they can project a unifying message and counter narratives pushed by Trump.
• 🖤 The presence of a black woman on the ticket could provide a jolt to the Biden campaign, particularly among African-American and younger voters.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Kamala Harris's selection as Biden's running mate differ from previous VP choices?

Harris was chosen to appeal to a wider range of voters due to her background as a former prosecutor and her ability to bridge the gap between progressives and moderates. The selection of a VP candidate has never been more crucial as it signals the future of the Democratic Party.

Q: Will Harris's selection move votes away from Biden among Republican voters against Trump?

There may be some pushback from Republican voters who see Harris as too radical. However, focus groups indicate that many soft Trump supporters are undecided and open to voting for Biden and Harris if they present themselves as a rational and reasonable alternative to Trump.

Q: How does race play a role in this election with the presence of a black woman on the ticket?

Harris's presence as a black woman on the ticket could have a positive impact on African-American and younger voters, providing a jolt to the Biden campaign. However, there may also be negative reactions from those who are racially biased, which could be revealing about the state of the Republican Party.

Q: What impact will Trump's decision to forgo signature rallies have on his campaign?

Trump's decision to give up on his signature rallies is a significant development, as these rallies were crucial to his campaign in 2016. Without the rallies, Trump may struggle to connect with his base and generate the same level of excitement and energy.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate was not surprising to those paying attention to the race.

• The choice of Harris was a strategic move to appeal to a broad range of voters and to avoid giving the Trump campaign ammunition to label Biden as a socialist.

• Focus groups show that soft Trump supporters and swing state voters are still undecided but open to learning more about Biden and Harris.

• The success of the Democratic ticket will depend on how well Biden and Harris can project a unifying message and combat narratives pushed by Trump.