Reporter Astead Herndon discusses Kamala Harris' potential prosecution of Trump, her journey to Democratic nominee, and the impact of her prosecutorial background on her campaign strategy. The podcast also explores Harris' legal record, environmental policies, and the contrasting narratives with Trump.
Harris strategically focusing on prosecuting Trump to raise awareness of alleged wrongdoings.
Harris's ability to adapt and communicate effectively with voters, showing growth as a politician.
Deep dives
Secret Service Resignation and Track Record
The head of the Secret Service resigned following acknowledged agency failures. Despite recent incidents, the Secret Service noted successful dissuasion of political violence, highlighting an impressive track record. Any mistakes by the agency risk broader societal erosion in civic trust.
Laundry Service at the White House
Foreign leaders, such as Benjamin Netanyahu, bring bags of dirty laundry to be cleaned by US staff at the President's guest house. This luxurious, rarely utilized service reflects the personal habits of international dignitaries during their brief stays.
Kamala Harris's Strategic Campaign Moves
Kamala Harris's strategic focus on prosecuting a case against Donald Trump is highlighted as a key campaign tactic. Transitioning from a prosecutor's approach, her pivot aims to raise awareness about Trump's alleged wrongdoings, including sexual abuse claims, to resonate with voters.
Harris's Growth and Narrative Leading to 2024
Harris's evolution and growth as a politician are emphasized as she navigates her path to the 2024 Democratic nomination. Despite past challenges, including negative narratives created by Democrat rivals, her campaign shows signs of learning and adapting, with a renewed focus on core values and communicating effectively with voters.
Astead Herndon, host of The New York Times' podcast The Run-Up, has been covering Kamala Harris for a while. He was the Times' campaign reporter for Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, and last year he wrote the extensive and fairly devastating profile titled, "In Search of Kamala Harris" for TheNew York Times Magazine. He here to discuss Harris' skill set, why the cross pressures of the past are gone today, and what arguments she thinks will work against Donald Trump. Plus, as Harris embraces and emphasizes her role as prosecutor, an examination the effectiveness of that argument considering the scale of past prosecutions.