KAMALA HARRIS

I've just listened to the Bob Mulholland "Leading" DNC podcast on the Rest is politics series. It's really entertaining and I learned a lot about US politics and why their campaigning is so different to ours. It's less than 30 mins so not a huge investment of time.

The warmth shines through as so genuine. Such a contrast.

Here's a little clip of Kamala joking about with her sister. Just like any family. Very warm.

youtu.be/Ly9UkxW7Fd8?si=YEFR5x6t6AD1zO4J

I find it interesting that inevitably we get part of the conference with an emphasis on a particular slice of US life since there are these few key states "up for grabs". ie - Walz.

California and New York for example can be taken for granted but the slightly "folksy" touch aimed at the Mid West can be noticeable at times.

Oreo

The thing is tho, that these conferences are ‘preaching to the converted’ on both sides their adoring fans whoop and lap it up.
What really matters is the undecided voters.

The conventions get wide coverage on the news media. I watched the CNN coverage and it was excellent. I also listened to the Rest is Politics podcasts with Catty Kay and Scaramucci, they commented several times how the convention was aimed at influencing undecided voters via media coverage. I am sincerely hoping that KH gets elected and think her decision to make Walz her running mate was a good one as he'll appeal to some voters who will struggle to vote for a woman of colour ie white men without a college education who tend to lean towards Trump.

Yes, I agree they are for raising hope and enthusiasm, but this one was different in that it was an introduction to a new candidate and VP candidate after a period of much uncertainty, and was widely watched

- we'll have to see how it plays out amongst the "undecided". Much time still to go.

The thing is tho, that these conferences are ‘preaching to the converted’ on both sides their adoring fans whoop and lap it up.
What really matters is the undecided voters.

"Takeaways" from the last night of the Democratic conference, Harris's speech, gives some policy directions, glad to see a stand on gun control and other key issues.

10 min read plus some clips

edition.cnn.com/2024/08/23/politics/takeaways-dnc-day-4/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc

When Michelle O was speaking there were tears in the audience which was very moving, it was like, "someone is really speaking for me".

I really hope the sheer "normalises" of the Democrat speeches, not the crazy lies of Trump, and his personal crazy attacks, is so marked - and I hope more and more Republicans realise how dangerous Trump is.

The Obamas - The Trumps 😂

Barack Obama making unspoken penis jokes is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in ages.

amusing bit about the USA President as a "black job" - yes, this made me smile when I heard it!

Great line!

Michelle introduced Barack, her speech included:

www.cnn.com/2024/08/21/politics/michelle-obama-
dnc-trump-black-job/index.html

Quite amusing bit about the USA President as a "black job" -- this is a quite short part to he speech.

And a very good short clip from Michelle Obama to enjoy

edition.cnn.com/2024/08/20/politics/video/michelle-obama-speech-dnc-chicago-digvid

Last night was Obama's speech at the Democrat convention.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9X_Q1CplCE

Its long, but from 15 mins approx is worth listening to as Obama outlines democrat commitments on housing, health, and so on (he's pretty effective on Trump too in either parts!)

Its just such a pleasure to listen to someone thoughtful, intelligent, perceptive who is positive and point out that Trump rules by fear not hope.

The more I see of Trump and listen to him the more I think he's deranged.

Norah

Casdon

Norah

In other news, Trump is completely off the rails with AI.

www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/08/20/trump-posts-ai-image-fake-taylor-swift-endorsement/

That really was weird by any standards. All Taylor Swift has to do is broadcast what she actually thinks and he will be exposed as a prize plonker. He’s underestimated the lady I think, she has a huge amount of influence.

I suppose she could broadcast what she actually thinks, but I wonder if her safety and that of her fans is paramount?

I suspect she’ll make her views known, as she did last time. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her at a KH rally sometime soon. I think a lot of the celebs will in fact, we’ll see.

A friend told me of a meeting with a group of Americans in a holiday situation, and of how the Americans were keen to explain the " truth" behind the January events. All of the people filmed were, in fact, CIA , planted with the aim of bringing Mr Trump into disrepute, the British people were told.
We're not too far off alien landings being the problem, are we?

I don’t think there’s anything that DT considers out of bounds where the election is concerned.
Probably better for TS to ignore it all, she has fans who vote Republican and also vote Democrat.

Wyllow3

Trump is doing the same with black voters - AI generated images

(see the image and comments)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68440150

This sort of thing can rebound.

As he did using AI positioning her in front of an audience appearing to be Communist workers, a huge Communist flag, her dressed in red.

Daft.

Trump is doing the same with black voters - AI generated images

(see the image and comments)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68440150

This sort of thing can rebound.

Casdon

Norah

In other news, Trump is completely off the rails with AI.

www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/08/20/trump-posts-ai-image-fake-taylor-swift-endorsement/

That really was weird by any standards. All Taylor Swift has to do is broadcast what she actually thinks and he will be exposed as a prize plonker. He’s underestimated the lady I think, she has a huge amount of influence.

I suppose she could broadcast what she actually thinks, but I wonder if her safety and that of her fans is paramount?

Norah

In other news, Trump is completely off the rails with AI.

www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/08/20/trump-posts-ai-image-fake-taylor-swift-endorsement/

Just how low can he stoop Poor Taylor Swift - it just puts her in danger and silences her. I imagine her only safe option is "no comment".

I'm sure it must be illegal, but to take it on puts her under great strain. A way of silencing people. (fuming)

Record of what she actually has said in the past

"Swift supported the Democratic Party in the 2020 election, and criticised Trump during the nationwide protests over the police murder of George Floyd.
"After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence?," she posted on Twitter/X. "We will vote you out in November.""

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y87l6rx5wo

Norah

In other news, Trump is completely off the rails with AI.

www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/08/20/trump-posts-ai-image-fake-taylor-swift-endorsement/

That really was weird by any standards. All Taylor Swift has to do is broadcast what she actually thinks and he will be exposed as a prize plonker. He’s underestimated the lady I think, she has a huge amount of influence.

I just watched bits of both the Biden and Clinton speeches from last night (their time). Biden was predictably and emotional good bye and thank you. Clinton pitched a strong message that the Democrats were the party who would maintain a healthy democracy, alluding to what had happened at the Capitol and caring about the USA but also casting Harris in the lineage of strong women candidates. A powerful speech.

www.cnn.com/2024/08/19/politics/video/hillary-clinton-speech-dnc-chicago-digvid

(just 3 min clip well worth a look)