Labor Day Campaign Kick-Off in Full Swing – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - Sept. 1, 2024

Labor Day Campaign Kick-Off in Full Swing – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - Sept. 1, 2024

For many decades, the fall campaign season did not “officially” begin until Labor Day weekend. But once 24-hour news channels were launched, and then the internet with social media platforms, campaign season became a never-ending event, especially with the pressure to raise millions of dollars in campaign donations. So much is underway on many fronts, including a key, sit-down interview for Harris-Walz. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“The CNN Sit Down” - For weeks, Team Harris has been under the microscope for not doing any major one-on-one interviews with the TV networks before or after the DNC, which is something of a tradition in both parties. I think it was a tactical mistake because it’s a missed opportunity to tell your story to voters. I also think it is a public obligation. The office of the president belongs to the people and not the officeholder or candidate. The public is entitled to hear all nominee’s “road maps” for the country.

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“How’d They Do?” – I thought it was a solid interview, especially with Dana Bash pressing Harris on her position changes. Harris and Walz were focused, comfortable, confident, and didn’t sound like they had rehearsed soundbites. They should do more interviews like this, as should the Trump-Vance team. It gives us more information to make our choices in the polling booth.

 

“Trump Trumpets” – As you might imagine, former President Donald Trump was not impressed with the CNN interview with Harris. Trump said, “She was sitting behind that desk, a massive desk, and she didn’t look like a leader to me, I’ll be honest. I don’t see her negotiating with President Xi of China. I don’t see her with (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un, like we did with Kim Jong Un. So, we’re going to have to see what happens. I tell you what, November 5th is going to be the most important day in the history of this country.” I think we will see a lot of “counterpunch” soundbites like this as the vote is just over nine weeks away.

 

“Changing Positions” – Harris has been a longtime environmentalist concerned about climate change. In the interview Harris said, “I have always believed – and I have worked on it – that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.” Of the controversial practice of fracking she said in 2019, “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.” But she later cast a tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate to expand fracking leases on federal lands but says her climate change stance is consistent. “My values have not changed,” said Harris. Voters will have their say.

 

“Immigration Swings” – Immigration is another issue where Harris has switched positions. When she was running for president in 2019, she spoke in favor of decriminalizing unauthorized border crossings. Now she says, “We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences.” That doesn’t sit well with Gov. Tate Reeves (R) Mississippi, who says his state spends $100 million dollars a year taking care of illegal immigrants. Reeves told Fox News, "(States) are being forced to step up and pay for the Biden-Harris administration’s intentional failure to secure our border, and Mississippi is no exception." Expect similar back-and-forth on this issue right up until Election Day.

 

“Debate Preps” – Despite some hiccups along the way, there is now an agreement in place for the Harris-Trump debate on ABC on Tuesday, September 10. The sides have agreed to have each candidate’s mic muted when the other candidate is speaking. Oddly, Trump agreed to muting even though he interrupted President Biden frequently is the 2020 debates. This time the Harris campaign wanted the mics wide open, to allow for debate and interruptions. The Harris campaign said, "Both candidates have publicly made clear their willingness to debate with unmuted mics for the duration of the debate to fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates - but it appears Donald Trump is letting his handlers overrule him. Sad!" The candidates will not be allowed to have notes on their podiums, and no questions will be given out in advance. I, for one, hope they agree to at least one additional debate.

 

“The Arlington Cemetery Dust Up” – On Monday, August 26, Trump and campaign staffers paid a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to place flowers on the graves of some who died when the U.S. military fled Afghanistan three years ago. During the event, Trump staffers pushed a cemetery worker who was trying to prevent them from taking videos. The Army issued a statement saying, "Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds." The statement says the worker declined to press charges. Having covered many news events at Arlington, I can tell you the rules are very strict. The Harris campaign called the visit, “pretty sad" and, "it's not surprising coming from the Trump team." To which Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance said of Harris, “She can go to hell.” This is where we are on September 1, and the debate will likely deteriorate more.

 

“The Abortion Storm” – Trump seems all over the map on the issue of reproductive rights. Right now, Florida bans abortion after six weeks, but there are times Trump says that is too restrictive, once saying, “So I think six weeks, you need more time than six weeks. I disagree with that. Right from the early primaries, when I heard about it, I disagreed with it.” But in November, Florida voters will get to decide at the ballot box if abortion can be legal up to 24 weeks. Trump says he plans to vote no, but he has not said what would be an agreeable middle ground, say 12 weeks?

 

“It’s a Top Voter Issue” -- On Thursday, he said he wants to pass a law to have the federal government pay for IVF treatments for any woman who wants to conceive that way. His running mate, JD Vance, voted against a Senate bill that would have allowed that. A recent Quinnipiac University poll said 55 percent of respondents thought Harris would do a better job on the abortion and reproductive rights issue, with only 38 percent picking Trump. This critical issue is picking up steam for Harris nationally, and may hurt Trump among moderate suburban women.

 

 

“The RFK Jr. Factor” – Last week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump, leaving much speculation as to where Kennedy voters would go. An endorsement does not guarantee a shift in voters, and there is another problem. Kennedy has petitioned at least ten states to remove his name from the ballot but has not succeeded in many. So far, he remains on the ballot in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina, all of which are in play. So, Kennedy supporters can still vote for him. Kennedy’s biggest success has been removing himself from the ballot in close Arizona. Experts believe Kennedy will eventually be removed in the close battleground states of Nevada and Pennsylvania.

 

“A Kennedy Bounce?” – Prior to Kennedy suspending his campaign, Trump led Harris 43 to 41 percent in a Yahoo News/You Guv poll. With Kennedy out, the poll is now 46 percent Harris to 45 percent Trump. She gained 5 points and Trump gained 2 points. Statistically, it’s a dead heat. In the latest Real Clear Politics composite poll, Harris leads 48.0 percent to Trump at 46.2 percent or a lead of 1.8 percentage points. In key battleground states it’s even tighter. Trump leads by .1 percent in Pennsylvania and .4 percent in Arizona. But Harris has a 1.9 percent lead in Wisconsin. The margins are simply razor thin, as this race will likely go right down to the wire.