I watched VP Kamala Harris speaking in Wisconsin last night.
She was impressive.
She has charisma.
She is a good orator - and that is not easy. There are almost no orators in UK politics right now, for example.
She took her arguments to Trump.
She played her cards well.
The audience liked what she had to say, which was hardly surprising.
And what she said also opened clear blue water between her and Trump and Vance on policy issues. You cannot help but feel now that it is abortion and gender rights in general that will determine the outcome of this election, most especially if Harris persuades women, and younger women in particular, to vote.
I was enormously encouraged, even if - and it has to be said - she is a profoundly neoliberal Democrat.
There is, after all, a chance of keeping Trump at bay. My mood is lighter as a result.
Thanks for reading this post.
You can share this post on social media of your choice by clicking these icons:
There are links to this blog's glossary in the above post that explain technical terms used in it. Follow them for more explanations.
You can subscribe to this blog's daily email here.
And if you would like to support this blog you can, here:
Buy me a coffee!
The positive message about women’s reproductive health was inspirational. Biden’s a Catholic so those sort of things were always held at arm’s reach with him.
Thanks for posting the CNN video. Quite impressive performance by Kamala Harris especially her simple statement why she knows Donald Trump’s type. Shame we have no one in the UK who can speak so clearly after yesterday’s action by Keir Starmer:-
“The beating of the children will continue until they understand who’s boss!”
It would seem we have to pretend that the Labour Party in all the years it’s been out of office it never came across the issue of the two-child cap and so never developed a clear cut policy on it. If you believe that you’ll believe anything!
“The beating of the children will continue until they understand who’s boss!”
Who made the above statement??
The beadle in Oliver Twist?
Mr. Flint, Thank you for your response!
I have been saying for a few weeks that Dems could win this race as a single-issue campaign on abortion alone, never mind all the other women’s rights issues in the Project 2025 plans. With Harris as the candidate this is even more true. The election is now in the bag for the Dems, unless they screw up badly.
Thank you, Kim.
Aren’t voters interested in bread and butter issues like employment, healthcare (not corporate shill Obama’s give away to insurers which costs the average American USD15k pa in premium), food on the table and a roof on their heads?
The Dixiecrats controlled all three branches in 1992 – 4 and 2008 – 10 and did not codify abortion. Why? It’s a good fund raising tool and gets their base worked up instead of focusing on class issues.
@Kim SJ and other UK comrades-
From the experience of the 2000 election and the 2016 election, a US Presidential election is never “in the bag” until the electoral college votes and ‘the fat lady sings”.
However, Democrats and Independent progressive are mobilized for Harris which is why she raised almost $100 million in about three days. There is much hope.
I am glad you think so
Harris’s father, Donald J. Harris (now age 85) is described as a “post-Keynesian economist”, of which Modern Monetary Theory is an offshoot.
Let’s hope the acorn does not fall far from the tree.
https://m.famousfix.com/list/post-keynesian-economists
Wow, some good news then. That’s rare these days. Let’s hope for the future of the planet she gets the nomination for President and defeats the corrupt, lying, stupid, vicious neo fascist fat orange faced conman that the GOP, to it’s eternal shame has chosen to be their candidate.
Kamala Harris also lifted my spirits. I do hope she will continue to campaign on her own terms and defeat the odious and regressive Trump Vance partnership. A capable woman of colour with a progressive agenda in the Whitehouse is precisely what the US and the world needs now.
She mentioned access to health care for all and something about child care. Not controversial in Europe but less so in the US. How progressive can she be or will she follow the Starmer line of not wishing to lose the Republicans who might switch? Time will tell.
Does Stephanie Kelton have any contact with her team? She used to work with Bernie Sanders whom I saw making a speech saying Congress is giving the floor to a war criminal.
It would be encouraging.
I am not aware of any contact
Thank you, Ian.
You may enjoy this article about sheep dogs: https://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php/bernie-sanders-in-hillarys-pocket.
Timothy Snyder’s latest blog is profoundly interesting on the emerging battle – especially re the profoundly mistaken, and now severely compromised, position of Vance. The shrewdest commentary on any of this I have read anywhere.
“Veep Stakes
Will Vance be Sacrificed?”
Find it at his blog – Thinking About – on substack.
Thanks
@ Werner White
“….. A capable woman of colour ….”
Really? Is the USA so pasty-white that Kamala Harris is notable as a ‘Woman of Colour’?
Hell’s bells. I didn’t realise it was THAT bad.
In some US sectors it is that bad.
Kamala is more impressive for the achievements of her parents & family in my book than the color of her skin. VP Harris has superb academic genes.
Impressive? Yes… and such a contrast with either Joe Biden or Donald Trump. Orator? Yes… but not a Clinton, Obama or Reagan.
I do feel a little uplifted… and I think (hope?) KimSJ is correct.
Will the MAGA crowd “see the light”? No…. but that is not what elections are about. As Harold Wilson observed, it’s about differential abstentionism. Can Harris persuade/enthuse natural Democratic voters to actually go to the polls? Can she persuade enough centrist Republicans that she is competent and not scary so they stay at home?
@ CLIVE PARRY
“….differential abstentionism…..”
You (and Harold Wilson) hit the nail on the head. This is what FPTP is all about.
A poor sort of democracy.
Same with me: I am profoundly glad that Biden has stepped aside – and Harris appears to have figured out what some the issues that matter to people are. It is a real shame that she is a neoliberal and her stance on Palestine might well benefit her chances should she cool the US/Israel relationship.
As the Republicans like to paint themselves as the ‘law and order’ party they’re going to struggle to criticise her as a former AG. Should Harris secure the nomination and stick to the issues she’s already mentioned I can see her standing a very good chance against Trump. A Harris presidency would also mark the end of any further political career of Trump – and might well see movements such as MAGA begin to dwindle.
There is something to feel hopeful about.
Thank you, Chris.
Harris is another zionist shill, married to one and, according to Track AIPAC, received 5 x as much money from zionists as Trump.
I just saw the first public appearance of Biden since his decision. He was going somewhere on Airforce 1. To me he looked much happier than of late and actually climbed the steps almost vigourously. I think having finally conquered his pride and bowed to the inevitable, it is probably a huge relief to know it is all over on Jan 20th and that he does not have to face 4 more years of 24/7 hard work at a time in life when he really isn’t able to do so.
Kamala Harris will not be in Congress to hear Netanyahu speak, but will have a private meeting with him later. Is this just grandstanding, or is it of real significance?
Hard to tell
But sends the signal that she sets the agenda, which is good
Netanyahu is NOT liked in the US. However, this does NOT mean voters in the US are anti-Israel.
Hamas is NOT liked in the US. However, this this does NOT mean voters in the US are anti-Palestine.
Good!
We have to take what we can at the moment.
Thank you, Richard.
Readers and Richard may be interested in: https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/07/us-voters-want-change-bidens-exit-hasnt-fixed-that.html.
Thank you for this link.
Very insightful – especially the comments.
I am hearing in my own little US bubble surprisingly high numbers of people saying “I never thought I would vote for Trump – but this time I will do”.
Despite all the reasons that this seems a catastrophic decision to me.
Oh dear, if that’s the case.
Vote Trump for madness.
Vote Harris for sanity.
Kamala also has good healthcare policies and a good track record.
If she can appeal to women , those who would welcome medicaid for all , and is willing to write off student debt she can sweep up a lot of votes.
She also has perfected a stern way of dealing with lying politicians in washington. I suspect Trump will avoid debates as johnson did.
But it may sway enough voters…
I think you mean “Medicare for All” not “Medicaid for All”.
Medicare and Medicaid are two DIFFERENT programs.
However, I get your point
@ BayTampaBay
Medicaid…… medicare. ? Yes they’re different, but the difference is beyond the comprehension of most British people, I suspect. We think you, in the US, should espouse a national health service model like the one we in Britain are in ever present danger of seeing dismantled in the interests of private sector profit. 🙁
What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that gives health coverage to some people with limited income and resources.
Apologies, Kamala supports Medicare for All within ten years.
@Roger & Andrew (Andy) Crow:
Roger, you are correct.
Medicare is basically medical insurance coverage sold by and administered by the USA federal government for all people over 65. The USA federal government does a very good job administrating Medicare and quality of medical care is excellent. Also, 90% of people over 65 purchase a “supplemental” policy to cover what Medicare does not cover. Supplemental policies are affordable.
Medicaid is basically a federal government medical “benefits” program administrated by the states for low income individuals. If you qualify for Medicaid, there is no cost to the recipient. Administration, quantity of medical coverage and quality of medical differs widely from state-to-state.