The Debate and the Democratic Panic With Semafor’s Benjy Sarlin. Plus, Jeff Greenfield Revisits Four Presidential Campaigns.
Jun 28, 2024
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Political analyst Benjy Sarlin and Jeff Greenfield discuss the highlights of the recent presidential debate, including Biden's performance and Trump's tactics. Greenfield also revisits past presidential campaigns, revealing behind-the-scenes stories and media strategies. From missed opportunities to campaign insights, the podcast offers a unique perspective on political history and current election dynamics.
The debate highlighted Biden's struggle to make coherent arguments and prosecute the case against Trump effectively.
Media speculation and analysis post-debate focused on Biden's age, performance, and concerns about his capacity as a candidate.
The aftermath sparked debates within the Democratic Party on Biden's viability and the possibility of an open convention.
The podcast discussed the unconventional nature of the 2020 campaigns, emphasizing the evolving campaign strategies and use of media platforms.
Deep dives
Impact of Biden's Debate Performance
Biden's recent debate performance raised concerns about his ability to effectively prosecute the case against Trump and address key issues. His rambling answers and pivoting to unrelated topics, like immigration during a discussion on abortion, highlighted struggles in making coherent arguments. Senior Democrats expressed panic over his performance, questioning whether he can withstand the pressure of the election.
Media Coverage and Speculation
Media coverage post-debate showcased extensive analysis and speculation about Biden's age and performance. There were intense discussions on whether reporters should aggressively cover concerns about Biden's capacity as a presidential candidate. Despite ongoing scrutiny about his age, the press had previously covered Biden's occasional slips and gaffes without any concrete evidence of significant health issues.
Possible Impact on Democratic Nomination
The aftermath of the debate sparked debates within the Democratic Party regarding Biden's viability as a nominee. The possibility of an open convention was raised, paralleling past instances like the Access Hollywood tape drama for Trump. While some calls for reconsidering Biden's nomination emerged, historical precedents suggest that such panics may not necessarily alter voting preferences.
Post-Debate Analysis and Future Campaign Strategies
Following the debate, intensive analysis and post-mortems characterized media coverage. Political pundits dissected Biden's performance, exploring potential campaign strategies for reassuring voters and strengthening his presidential bid. Visualizing scenarios where Biden stabilizes his campaign, focusing on issues and public appearances, alongside addressing concerns about his debate style emerge as vital considerations moving forward.
Unconventional Presidential Campaigns
In the podcast, the unconventional nature of the 2020 presidential campaigns is discussed. With both major candidates being unpopular, it was anticipated that an independent campaign could have a strong impact. However, the expected potency of an independent campaign did not materialize, highlighting a unique and unpredictable aspect of the current presidential race compared to previous elections.
Shift in Campaign Strategy
The discussions touch upon the evolving landscape of campaign strategies, contrasting the significance of television networks in previous elections with the increasing use of the internet tool in modern campaigns. The Obama campaign in 2008 is highlighted for its innovative use of the internet for fundraising, organization, and engagement. This shift reflects a transition where traditional media like television is complemented, and sometimes supplanted by new online platforms.
Vivid Memories of Political Events
The podcast delves into personal memories of significant political and sporting events, including attending the first Ali vs. Frazier fight, which was described as the most thrilling experience witnessed. From witnessing Yankees' championship streak to reflecting on the impact of individual figures in politics, the speaker shares nostalgic recollections of memorable moments that shaped his perspective on campaigns and sports.
On the Final Edition, Bryan has a jam-packed show following the presidential debate.
First, he welcomes Semafor's Benjy Sarlin for a recap. They discuss:
The worst part of the night for Joe Biden (1:08)
The timing of the debate (10:35)
The history of incumbent presidents who've lost their first debates (15:31)
Ben’s opinion on whether or not Biden will be the Democratic nominee on election day (26:06)
What stood out about Donald Trump (31:04)
Anderson Cooper’s interview with Vice President Kamala Harris (39:19)
Then, he welcomes longtime CNN and ABC News political analyst Jeff Greenfield, who takes us back down memory lane as he revisits four presidential campaigns that he's covered in his career.
How Trump has changed everything he thought about campaigns (50:39).
Biden's run for president in 1988 and its collapse (54:12).
Television's importance to presidential campaigns in the '80s (56:43)
Behind the scenes of the race between George H. W. Bush and the Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis in 1988 (61:35)
Bill Clinton's decision not to do an interview with Howard Stern interview, and Biden's decision to go through with it (70:46)
CNN's coverage of the 2000 election (76:17)
Observations from the Al Gore and George W. Bush campaigns (79:40).
Revisiting the night Florida was called for Al Gore and then recalled (84:12)
Covering the 2008 election and how campaigns were thinking about television in the age of social media (88:17)
What stands out about the Democratic primary campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (91:39)