As the vice president introduced her new running mate at an energetic rally in Philadelphia, he quickly demonstrated his ability to deliver searing attacks against Donald Trump and JD Vance.
America’s introduction to Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota began with a half-hour of cheering for Vice President Kamala Harris and ended with some of the sharpest attacks Democrats have leveled against former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio.
Before a raucous crowd in Philadelphia, Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz presented the Minnesotan as a folksy former schoolteacher and football coach who had inspired his students, served in the military and improved his constituents’ lives.
But it was his ability to deliver searing yet accessible attacks against their Republican opponents that won Mr. Walz a place on the national ticket, and during his first rally, he did not miss his marks.
“Donald Trump sees the world a little differently than us,” he said. “First of all, he doesn’t know the first thing about service. He doesn’t have time for it because he’s too busy serving himself.”
Then came the dagger. “Violent crime was up under Donald Trump,” he said, before pausing for effect. “That’s not even counting the crimes he committed.”
About time the Dems had some charismatic candidates who are willing to push back against the bullying of Republicans instead of taking the high road.
Thank God. Finally sounds like they believe in themselves which gives other people a reason to believe in them. Finally fighting.
Unfortunately this approach takes the focus away from policy, but since people doesn’t seem understand what’s at stake it’s a necessary change.
I think a lot of things started to go wrong right after Hilary said “When they go low, we go high”.
Back then they were labouring under the assumption that the Republican Party (and voters) actually had a sense of shame; that if you stick to the “political” fights rather than throwing some shade, you’ll eventually come out on top.
Now they (finally) know better. You gotta throw some shade in with that policy, and if you can make the shade humorous, all the better. Because the only thing Trump cares about is being seen as ‘strong’, and that’s why this whole ‘weird’ thing is working as well as it has.
It was Michelle Obama who coined that, but you’re right otherwise.
I kind of doubt Clinton and Biden approve of this shift and still think taking the high road is the right way. Biden is still taking the high road!
And that’s why they lost; and would have lost again.
Wonder if there were a bunch of strategists who have been cooking this strategy for a few cycles already, but they were never allowed to unleash it.
Basically couldn’t have come any later really. They’re already coming out the gates scrabbling with just 3 months and change until voting starts.
Only having them campaign for a few months is refreshing. I’d love to see it happen more often.
Plus it minimized fascist election fuckery…it’s not zero and we need people watching electors that think they can lie… Trying to subvert the will of the voters should be considered treason and treated as such legally.
America is one of the only countries with such a long election cycle. Up here in Canada it’s much shorter thankfully. Get it over with and let people get on with their lives.
And importantly, let the politicians actually get something other than fundraising done in a term.
Not that I ascribe this to strategy, but I wonder if this will work in their favor. The last minute change of jockey has been dominating the news since it happened, and pushing Trump’s ridiculous things to the side. This ticket will have huge and new name recognition in voters’ minds, and a lot less time to get mud to stick
I think it will definitely work in their favor, and I hope it kicks off a trend towards a shorter election season, but the corporate media will resist that.