Fri, 20 September 2024 08:30:41am
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Weird Election: Why Kamala Harris Campaign Is Calling Trump Weird
Weird Election: Why Kamala Harris Campaign Is Calling Trump Weird
In a twist reminiscent of past political jabs, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign is branding former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, as "weird." This peculiar approach aims to sway voter perception in a more visceral manner. But what’s behind this unconventional tactic?
Sen. Barry Goldwater's 1964 slogan, "In Your Heart You Know He's Right," was countered by President Lyndon B. Johnson's cheeky retort, "In Your Guts You Know He's Nuts." Fast forward to today, and Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign is employing a similar strategy, labeling former President Donald Trump as "old and quite weird."
The Harris campaign's recent statement about Trump’s Fox News appearance highlighted this new tactic: “Trump is old and quite weird.” This label isn't just a one-off comment; it’s becoming a staple in the Democratic campaign narrative since Biden stepped aside and Harris took over.
Historically, presidential campaigns have often focused on painting opponents as personally distasteful. For instance, in 2004, President George W. Bush’s team portrayed Sen. John Kerry as out of touch, using imagery and comments about Kerry's cheesesteak preferences and windsurfing habits. Similarly, in 2012, Democrats emphasized Sen. Mitt Romney's wealth and odd vacation practices.
Trump himself is a master of personal attacks, often assigning insulting nicknames to rivals, such as "Liddle" Marco Rubio and "Lyin’" Ted Cruz. His penchant for derogatory monikers continues to shape the political landscape.
Why "Weird"? The use of "weird" by Harris’ team might date back to a hypothetical scenario she discussed during her 2020 presidential campaign planning. However, it wasn’t until recently that the term became public. Last Thursday, the Harris campaign’s social media account labeled Vance’s quote about banning abortion nationwide as "weird behavior."
Other Democrats have joined the fray. Sen. Brian Schatz pointed to Vance’s comments about political power for parents over childless Americans as another example of "weird" behavior. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a potential running mate for Harris, has also used the term, saying, "These guys are just weird."
Responses from the GOP: In response, Trump and his allies have attempted to turn the label back on Harris. Vance shared a video of Harris discussing her pronouns, while Donald Trump Jr. criticized her policies on crime and illegal immigration as "weird."
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy called the "weird" label “dumb & juvenile,” arguing that those who can’t handle nicknames shouldn’t be president.
Strategic Considerations: Harris' aides believe that "weird" resonates with voters on a more visceral level than warnings about Trump’s threat to democracy. This strategy might also influence the press, encouraging reporters to focus more on Trump’s unconventional comments, like those about Hannibal Lecter or dishwashers, which are often seen as background noise.
Key Points:
- Historical Tactic: Harris' "weird" label echoes past political strategies.
- Campaign Strategy: The label aims to resonate viscerally with voters and influence media coverage.
- GOP Reactions: Trump and allies respond by flipping the label on Harris.
- Press Strategy: Encourages focus on Trump’s unconventional comments.
- Long-Term Impact: The strategy’s success remains to be seen in the upcoming election.
