Undercurrents Is Kamala Harris now the Democrats' biggest liability?
Oct 16, 2025
Emily reports from the White House, revealing a shift as AOC and Bernie Sanders are now viewed as the true leaders of the Democratic Party. She critiques Kamala Harris's recent gaffe-prone publicity, suggesting it highlights the vulnerabilities of the established order. The discussion focuses on how populist figures prioritize affordability over cultural debates. Plus, the threat of a government shutdown looms, potentially jeopardizing vital health-insurance subsidies, highlighting internal Democratic struggles reminiscent of past Republican discontent.
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Populists Leading Democratic Message
- Caroline Levitt publicly called AOC and Bernie Sanders the leaders of the Democratic Party after their CNN town hall.
- Emily Jashinsky argues this reflects a populist takeover of Democratic messaging toward affordability.
Mamdani's Straightforward Mayoral Pitch
- Zohra Mamdani told Fox News she will not be a mayor who calls Trump or Cuomo for favors.
- She emphasized focusing on lowering cost of living instead of culture-war posturing.
Populists Can Hurt Locally But Not Always
- Populist Democrats help Republicans in some races where left-leaning nominees face moderate Republicans.
- But Emily argues the bigger Democratic problem is establishment leaders, not the populists themselves.