Asma Khalid, a White House correspondent, and Elena Moore, a savvy political reporter, join congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales and senior editor Domenico Montanaro for a lively discussion. They delve into Taylor Swift's impactful endorsement of Kamala Harris and its role in energizing younger voters. The team also confronts the looming threat of a government shutdown and the complex dynamics within Congress. They even touch on the viral TikTok trends shaping political engagement, mixed with heartwarming stories of kindness in the political sphere.
Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris demonstrates the powerful impact of celebrity influence in mobilizing young voters during elections.
As Congress faces a potential shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson must balance far-right demands with the need for bipartisan support to secure funding.
Deep dives
Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Voter Registration
The recent endorsement of Kamala Harris by Taylor Swift highlights the significant influence of celebrity endorsements on voter engagement, particularly among younger demographics. Swift's endorsement directed her massive following to register to vote, resulting in a dramatic spike in activity on link-sharing platforms. In just 24 hours, Vote.gov recorded more than 405,000 visitors, far surpassing the usual daily visits. This trend demonstrates how celebrity influence can mobilize voters and potentially alter the election's dynamics, especially in closely contested races.
Political Dynamics in the Harris Campaign
Kamala Harris's campaign faces a complex environment as she navigates endorsements from both pop culture figures and traditional Republican leaders. While endorsements from celebrities like Taylor Swift energize the younger electorate, support from figures like Dick Cheney could alienate progressive voters. The Harris campaign is strategically assessing which endorsements will help them gain traction and appeal to swing voters in pivotal states. This balancing act reflects broader efforts in American politics to attract diverse voter bases while maintaining core support.
Congress's Ongoing Struggles with Government Funding
As Congress approaches the funding deadline, tensions are rising surrounding the proposed spending bill, which includes controversial elements such as the SAVE Act banning non-citizens from voting. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces immense pressure to appease the far-right faction of his party while also negotiating with the Senate, where bipartisan support is crucial. Johnson’s ability to prevent a government shutdown hinges on navigating these conflicting demands within his party and addressing the concerns of moderate Republicans. The upcoming election year adds urgency to these negotiations, emphasizing the need for a compromise to avoid political backlash.
The influential pop star threw her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in an Instagram post Tuesday. What impact does her endorsement — or any endorsement — have on an election?
Plus, Congress returns with a government shutdown on the horizon, and a TikTok sound becomes an earworm.
This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political reporter Elena Moore, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.
The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.