Brendan Buck, a veteran Republican strategist, and Alan Bersin, former Border Czar under President Obama, join the discussion on immigration and election strategies. They examine the dramatic 80% drop in border crossings since last December and dissect the implications of past bipartisan efforts on immigration. Brendan highlights how Trump’s influence disrupts GOP messaging, especially regarding early voting. They also address the evolving demographics and strategies, including Governor Tim Walz's efforts to attract state college voters, reshaping the political landscape.
Kamala Harris's media strategy, focusing on diverse platforms, aims to connect with younger and traditionally harder-to-reach voters amidst a polarized electorate.
The stark contrast in immigration policies between Harris's humanitarian approach and Trump's punitive stance highlights the complexities influencing voter choices in 2024.
Deep dives
Campaign Anxiety and Final Push Strategies
As the election approaches, both leading candidates, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, are gearing up for a critical last-minute strategy to sway undecided voters, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania. The stress felt by Senate candidates intensifies during this crunch time, prompting increased communication with political strategists who understand the emotionally charged environment of the final campaign days. With less than four weeks remaining, the Harris campaign aims to narrow the gap with Trump by emphasizing economic issues while he appears to be appealing to his base through aggressive rhetoric. This dynamic suggests that both campaigns are acknowledging the unique anxieties tied to this election, marking it as a pivotal moment in American politics.
Hurricane Recovery and Voter Outreach
The impact of recent hurricanes like Helene and Milton poses a significant voting concern in affected areas such as North Carolina and Georgia, prompting candidates to consider their strategies carefully. Advising campaigns to respond effectively to these disasters, the discussion highlights the importance of garnering local support and managing perceptions during this critical period. It becomes essential for the Harris campaign to balance visibility in disaster relief efforts without appearing opportunistic, as this could backfire in a politically sensitive context. Working collaboratively with local representatives is noted as a prudent path to building trust and ensuring fair access to voting in these beleaguered regions.
Media Strategies and Reaching New Audiences
Kamala Harris's media strategy involves diversifying her outreach by appearing on non-traditional platforms, such as podcasts and popular talk shows, to connect with a broader audience. This approach contrasts sharply with Trump, who inconsistently promotes early voting while voicing skepticism about mail-in ballots, leading to a disconnect with his campaign's goals. The move to engage with various media channels indicates the Harris campaign's intent to penetrate demographics that have been historically harder to reach, especially among younger voters. As part of this strategy, tapping into more male-oriented platforms could be advantageous for Harris in boosting her appeal among crucial voting blocks.
Immigration Reform and Candidate Visions
The conversation on immigration reform underscores stark contrasts between the Harris and Trump administrations, particularly regarding management of the U.S.-Mexico border and asylum issues. Trump is characterized by a punitive stance, advocating for mass deportations and militarization of border enforcement, while Harris is seen to favor a more humanitarian and systematic approach to reform. The discussion acknowledges the complexity of immigration issues and the public perception surrounding asylum seekers, emphasizing the need for clear communication of policies to build trust with voters. Understanding these differing perspectives on immigration will be crucial for voters as they navigate their choices in the upcoming election.
While both candidates continue to crisscross the nation’s battlegrounds, Vice President Harris is also doing something former President Trump is not: interviews in traditional and new media. This week, Republican communications veteran Brendan Buck joins former Senator Claire McCaskill to look at the media strategies of both campaigns, and why Trump continues to derail GOP efforts to embrace early voting. Then, former Border Czar, Alan Bersin, speaks to an 80% reduction in border crossings since the peak last December, why the failed bipartisan border bill was smart legislation and what a second Trump term would look like in practice for immigration reform. And Claire and Brendan end by batting around whether Coach Tim Walz is flipping the script on decades of Republicans decrying that Democrats are Ivy League elites, forming a new voting coalition in the process.
Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
