Politico’s Eugene Daniels on a Fifty-Fifty Race, Kamala Harris’s Underdog Campaign, and Playing College Football
Oct 10, 2024
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Eugene Daniels, White House correspondent for Politico and co-author of Playbook, shares insights from the front lines of political journalism. He delves into Kamala Harris's campaign challenges, questioning whether they truly view themselves as underdogs. The conversation reveals the nuances of running a risk-averse campaign and the struggle for authenticity in politics. Daniels also reflects on his transition from college football aspirations to journalism, highlighting the hurdles and discrimination faced along the way, all while keeping it engaging and informative.
Kamala Harris's campaign faces the challenge of mobilizing young and Black voters to ensure enthusiastic support and prevent complacency among Democrats.
Eugene Daniels highlights the importance of refining Harris's media strategy to reveal her evolving public persona and connect with voters on a personal level.
Deep dives
Kamala Harris's Campaign Strategy
Kamala Harris's campaign positions her as the underdog in the upcoming election, raising concerns about voter complacency among Democrats. Despite the campaign's outward confidence about their chances, there is an underlying fear of repeating the mistakes of the 2016 election where a lack of voter turnout led to disappointing results. Harris has emphasized the importance of enthusiastic support from the Democratic base, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania, where the campaign is eager to mobilize voters. The team is working to ensure that demographics that traditionally align with the party, such as young and Black voters, do not feel marginalized or apathetic toward her candidacy.
Media Presence and Criticism
The podcast discusses criticism regarding Harris's media presence and her tendency to avoid interviews, which some believe undermines her visibility. Harris's campaign team argues that the amount of media exposure does not significantly impact voter interest and draws comparisons to Donald Trump’s media engagements, suggesting that the scrutiny of her media strategy is unfair. They note that Harris has ramped up her media appearances, targeting various demographics through platforms like Colbert and Howard Stern. The team aims to refine their approach to maximize Harris's appeal and engagement with potential voters.
Eugene Daniels's Insights on Harris
Eugene Daniels provides insight into Kamala Harris's evolving public persona and her comfort level in interviews, suggesting a more relaxed and genuine portrayal. He highlights a noticeable shift in the way she addresses issues, such as her candid remarks about gun ownership, which diverges from traditional Democratic rhetoric. This approach aligns with the desire to connect with voters on a personal level, and her recent interviews reveal a more relatable persona that can better resonate with the electorate. Daniels argues that understanding Harris's character is crucial for voters, as it contributes to their overall perception of her candidacy.
The Dynamics of the Biden-Harris Relationship
The discussion around the Biden-Harris relationship emphasizes the delicate balance Harris must maintain as she campaigns for her own presidential run while still needing to work closely with the Biden administration. When asked about potential differences between their administrations, Harris hesitates to disclose specifics, highlighting the tense relationship that may exist when trying to navigate public scrutiny versus loyalty to Biden. This situation underscores the difficulties faced by vice presidents transitioning to presidential candidates, as they must prove they can run independently while being careful not to alienate their current administration. The strategic decisions of both campaigns reflect a broader concern for maintaining unity and support as the election approaches.
Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined today by Politico’s White House correspondent and Politico Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to get into the latest on this upcoming election and more, including:
Does the Harris campaign really believe they’re underdogs in this race (01:47)?
Are they running a “risk-averse” campaign (16:18)?
What is it like covering the White House and writing Playbook (21:19)?
Leaping from college football to journalism (30:46).
Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.