Harris races to define her image before Republicans can

Los Angeles Times ^ | Aug. 17, 2024 3 AM PT | David Lauter

[E. Pluribus Unum]

WASHINGTON — Vice presidents seeking the top job almost always feel a need to separate themselves from the presidents they’ve served.

For Hubert Humphrey, the moment came late in his campaign. In a nationally televised speech on Sept. 30, 1968, he called for a halt to the U.S. bombing of North Vietnam, departing from the Johnson administration’s war policy.

George H.W. Bush struggled to establish a distinct identity with voters after eight years as second fiddle to the very popular President Reagan. In his speech to the Republican convention in August 1988, he called for a “kinder, gentler nation” — to which Nancy Reagan famously retorted:

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“Kinder and gentler than whom?”

Vice President Al Gore faced a problem less acute than Humphrey’s, but more pressing than Bush’s: Most voters in 2000 approved of President Clinton’s job performance, but many disapproved of his personal conduct.

Gore chose a symbolic separation, picking as his running mate Sen. Joe Lieberman, who two years earlier had become the first prominent Democrat to publicly rebuke Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinsky, calling his actions ‘’disgraceful’’ and ‘’immoral.”

Major points to watch for at the convention

At next week’s Democratic convention, one major question to pay attention to will be the extent to which Vice President Kamala Harris follows the pattern of those previous vice presidents and defines herself by contrast with President Biden.

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That’s not the only question mark. Among others:

• How heavily will Harris lean into her experience as a prosecutor? Her law enforcement experience served as a liability during her 2020 primary campaign, but now has reemerged as a political asset. Expect to hear multiple references to it over the course of the week.

• How will she respond to expected protests over U.S. policy toward the war in Gaza? Harris has tried to...

[philman_36]

Push that fear factor. It’s a real winning strategy.

[Sacajaweau]

I’m waiting for her to address student loans....And I’m waiting for Trump to abolish the FEDERAL department of Education.

[cuban leaf]

I can’t wait until the DNC is over and it will be too late to swap her out. That’s why Trump is holding fire.

---

My sentiments exactly. The race hasn’t started yet. This is just the pre-game show and analysis.

Grab yer popcorn! It’s gonna be a fun ride.😎

[pfflier]

Oh Joy!!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

She’s a braindead absolute moron cackling commie.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Their “progressive” future is a regression to infantile belief in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny bringing all the good children wonderful presents and joy.

[Leep]

I predict she will throw Jo under the bus after the DNC.
She had no other option.

[Leep]

I predict she will throw Jo under the bus after the DNC.
She HAS no other option.

[convoter2016]

Trump needs to remind the “low information voter” that Harris is a San Francisco or California liberal. Voters know that Nancy Pelosi comes from San Francisco. When she was Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi’s job approval numbers nationwide never exceeded 50%. Nancy Pelosi is also from San Francisco so Trump should have no problem defining Harris.

[philman_36]

Trump needs to remind the “low information voter” that Harris is a San Francisco or California liberal.

He's already doing that. Racked her for being a Soros backed prosecutor in Cali.

[Danie_2023]

“I’m waiting for her to address student loans....And I’m waiting for Trump to abolish the FEDERAL department of Education.”

I don’t think the AFT will like that. And they are a vastly powerful union (2nd largest in the USA). Trump might not be able to pull that one off. But the student loan thing should definitely be easy to eliminate since the USSC ruling.

What should be done about education is... ‘if’ there are any government subsidies doled out, it should be to a network of private entities seeking to establish private schools replacing public education. Time for government indoctrination to be over and done. (another nice dream of mine)

[Leep]

And that walz wants to make america Minnesota,again.

[butlerweave]

aaaaaaaaah Hmmmmmmmm well

[philman_36]

Swift Boat Part Deux set himself on fire with his spicy taco recipe conundrum.

[ridesthemiles]

LIKE NAILING JELLO TO THE WALL

[clearcarbon]

"Harris races to define her image before Republicans can"

[pfflier]

She is trying to imitate obummer, the "cool" candidate. All smiles and a spontaneous laugh...you know, the embodiment of joy...someone you would invite into your home.

That's how the media sold joe stalin during WWII, Uncle Joe.

[Sacajaweau]

Our Teachers Union is a rotten b****** here in Upstate New York. So the ATF would just integrate itself into a state unions.

[mykroar]

She a commie, Jim.

[Biblebelter]

How can she define her image?

She can’t even define her race?

Or define what a woman is for that matter.