Vice President Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump 2024

It feels more like 2008 than 2016

In 2008 there was excitement but 'wokeness' about the uphill battle Obama would face in the race to the WH, and everyone knew it. So they organized and got out the vote.

2016 felt more like the Dems thought they were parade-walking into a coronation and they were overconfident that Trump was self-disqualifying from office, hell even the bookies paid out early on Clinton, infamously.

I don't think people are as confused about what kind of political element Trump is now, and they know what kind of influence he holds and how uncertain the polling can be, and I don't think there is an overconfidence about her ability to win on the contrary there is the attitude that she needs every single vote and to get out and organize and not simply you know sigh talk down to people and say 'those young people should pokemon go to the polls' especially after a bitter and divisive 2016 convention that saw Bernie voters either stay home or vote Trump as the anti-establishment pick.

Add to that 2020 was not close either and it's hard to read into the turnout because of Covid, red swing states have been working around the clock to change how they handle their elections, by and large to make it so record turnout is not a feature of this election. It's going to be very close, and Trump still has a greater than outside chance of winning, especially if it comes down to state election board chicanery.

Funny I think Harris needs it “a smidgin more”😀

Which just goes to show how close this thing is if one or other of us is hitting the mark on where both candidates are - I think Harris needs it to really show the American people she can do the walk and talk of a president - Trump has shown that he can (whether one likes it or not is another thing entirely)- but I do think Harris comes with a small bit of doubt in some people’s minds - I think she needs to win them over finally - Hilary performed disastrously at the debate- she didn’t know how to handle Trump - if Harris can put Trump down in a meaningful way that doesn’t make her look hot and bothered, I think she’ll win

Sure, I think that's also a fair way to look at it, but the reason I think Trump needs it a bit more (at time of writing) is because of the trend, as I said. If Trump's advisors are looking at their internal polling and are seeing that Trump has hit a voter ceiling while Harris's base mobilises, then I think they'll press him to go through with what has been agreed so far.

Trump wants that debate as well, but now that he has a proper opponent, he wants it in a considerably more sympathetic environment in order to claw back some of the advantage. But can he really afford to walk away if he doesn't get that? Not sure….

Primaries are a very different environment.

In the general election VP debate:

More Americans said Sen. Kamala Harris did the best job in the vice presidential debate Wednesday night, according to a CNN Instant Poll of registered voters who watched. About 6 in 10 (59%) said Harris won, while 38% said Vice President Mike Pence had the better night.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/07/politics/mike-pence-kamala-harris-vice-presidential-debate-poll/index.html

This 'grilling people in committees' or being a prosecutor of repute aren't skills which directly transfer to the debate arena though. I think Overheal posted a vid of her questioning Bill Barr and it was undeniably great. She cornered him. But in a debate format Barr could have just completely and continually ignored any of her questions and said something about how the real issue is her dismal border czar record, her communist policies that are anti the American worker, her pro-crime stance etc.

We had a recent example closer to home over the summer when supposed forensic prosecutor Keir Starmer was never quite able to land a telling blow on a clearly vulnerable Rishi Sunak in their two debates, as the latter just went into pre-arranged spiel. (Obviously didn't matter to the same extent as Labour were well ahead regardless).

Fox News trolls sexualize Kamala Harris

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/take-it-back-jeanine-pirro-scolds-jesse-watters-for-saying-generals-will-have-their-way-with-kamala-harris-in-the-situation-room/

Weird.

You honestly think Trump, the master tactician, will rely on that to win voters? She was the AG for California, I can't see her falling for that.

Harris picks up 200+ endorsements from GWB, McCain and Romney camp/admin alumni, meanwhile Trump can’t even pick up endorsements from half of his former cabinet. Ouch

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/26/bush-mccain-romney-trump-harris-2024/74947380007/

Yep, you're right, I forgot about the winner takes all system

Nebraska and Maine have split their electoral votes.

These states did so in the relatively recent past, for reasons that probably made sense then.

Oh, hi new poster with 11 posts who "remembers" boards posts from weeks & months ago. Look forward to you "just asking questions".

I'm an adult and I use lol. I've been Bar Mitzvah'ed and everything!

Harris needs to show she’s “Presidential”- that’s her no 1 goal at the debate- nothing else matters as Trump has past presidential experience- the fact he was a gombeen makes no difference- people who watch this debate will be asking only 1 primary question- “Do I see Harris as POTUS? “

Trump will do everything he can to show she’s not- it’s gonna be a hell of a dirty fight on Trumps part