Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning to engage Gen Z voters by focusing on gun control and other issues they care about. The podcast discusses her efforts to court young voters, the impact of gun violence prevention on voter turnout, challenges in Gen Z support for Democrats, and the influence of the Middle East conflict on their views.
Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on gun control and other issues that young voters care about to motivate them for President Biden's reelection.
Harris and Biden are framing issues like gun violence prevention and reproductive rights as personal rights and freedom, resonating with value-based young voters.
Deep dives
Vice President Harris' focus on gun control and courting young voters
Vice President Kamala Harris is actively engaging with two key groups in the Democratic base: People of Color and Young Voters. Gun control is a major topic in her portfolio and she has been emphasizing its impact on individuals and communities across the country. Harris has been speaking to mayors and engaging with young people, addressing gun violence prevention as a lived experience and trauma that affects them deeply. Young voters are value-based voters and are more likely to cast a ballot if they feel strongly about issues like gun violence prevention. However, there is a potential lack of enthusiasm among young voters for President Biden's reelection bid, and there are varying levels of approval for Harris depending on race.
The framing of issues under the umbrella of freedom and its impact on young voters
Vice President Harris, along with President Biden, has been framing issues like gun violence prevention and reproductive rights under the umbrella of freedom. This framing aims to show that these issues are about personal rights, civil rights, and freedom from violence. It is a strategic move to counter the narrative of Republicans claiming that Democrats want to take away freedom. The framing resonates with young voters who prioritize issues and values rather than party affiliation. However, there are challenges in maintaining enthusiasm among young voters, especially in light of the conflict in the Middle East and trust issues regarding the administration's handling of the situation in Gaza.
Congress passing short-term funding bill and challenges ahead
Congress managed to pass a short-term funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown. However, this temporary solution does not address the underlying challenges of negotiating annual spending bills and reaching agreements on major issues. There is tension among conservatives in Congress regarding funding for the border and demands to shut down the government if border policies are not changed. Bipartisan efforts are underway to reach a deal on border policies, but face resistance from both progressive Democrats and Republicans. The lack of trust and enthusiasm among young voters for the Biden administration's handling of issues like the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine funding further complicates the political landscape.
Polls have shown that younger voters are not that enthusiastic about reelecting President Biden. But his campaign is hopeful that Vice President Kamala Harris can motivate them by focusing on gun control and other issues they care about.
This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid & Deepa Shivaram, voting reporter Elena Moore, and congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh.
Our producers are Casey Morell & Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Erica Morrison. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
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