Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a closing argument speech today in Washington, an address that was initially expected to be focused on democracy and January 6, 2021.
The location seemed to be a tell; Harris will speak from the Ellipse, the site of the location of Donald Trump’s address to the “Stop the Steal” rally back in January 2021.
But, with the address set for this afternoon, Harris will, reportedly, not spend her time talking about democracy — and the threat that Trump represents to it.
In her speech, which is expected to draw the vice president’s largest audience between now and when polls close on Election Day, Harris will not focus her remarks on democracy and Jan. 6, according to a senior campaign official. But with the White House in the background, the venue will serve as an implicit reminder. And Harris will draw a broader contrast with Trump, arguing explicitly that Trump is focused on himself and his “enemies” list, while she will prioritize her “to-do” list to lower costs and help Americans, said the official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about a speech still in development.
Regular readers know I have long been skeptical that the “democracy” argument convinces persuadable voters. (Sidebar: I, personally, think it should!). Joe Biden premised his candidacy on defending democracy and, to hear smart Democratic consultants tell it, the message didn’t work — particularly among undecideds.
Which is why I wasn’t so sure that Harris ending on a democracy message was smart politics. Her campaign has apparently reached that same conclusion.
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