Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris went into the lion’s den at Fox Information and emerged in fairly darn fine condition. You may see the complete interview right here.
My unique plan was to jot down a response story instantly after the interview, and I’m glad I took the time to digest. That preliminary response was one among anger—Fox anchor Bret Baier was impolite, sanctimonious, and wouldn’t let Harris end her solutions. He used right-wing Trumpian frames in each single one among his questions, and even tried to sanewash Donald Trump’s fascist “enemies within” rhetoric.
After receiving relentless criticism from the conservative base for scheduling the interview, Baier had clearly determined to provide them what they needed—a impolite, combative, red-themed present. In brief, Baier did every part we anticipated a Fox Information host on Fox Information would do. F that man!
But Harris didn’t do that interview to make me otherwise you pleased. As I wrote on Tuesday, Harris’ media technique is designed to win, and my emotions had little bearing on whether or not her Fox Information sojourn was profitable. So sure, I needed to take a pause and reassess as soon as my preliminary intestine disgust had dissipated.
And with that readability, it’s onerous to disclaim that Harris did herself some actual favors.
To be clear, this look wasn’t about successful votes, not less than circuitously. The individuals watching that interview had been principally both Fox conservatives or liberals checking on our candidate’s efficiency. At this stage of the sport, there’s just about nothing that may meaningfully transfer numbers. The race’s tendencies have been locked in, unchanged, for months.
So what did Harris accomplish?
1. It blows a Trump narrative out of the water.
In a current Fact Social screed, Trump claimed, “[Harris] is slow and lethargic in answering even the easiest of questions.” He clearly pulled that out of his you-know-where, and it’s not as if the fact we witness in that Fox Information interview will change his thoughts. Trump is proof against actuality. However it’s useful for his supporters to undergo a little bit of cognitive dissonance, because the phrases of their idol fail to match their very personal eyes. Extra scrupulous conservatives would possibly even discover it troublesome to parrot these assaults, and Trump is most profitable when his occasion is singing from his identical choir e-book.
2. It reminded individuals of Harris’ toughness.
I used to be initially disgusted at Baier’s rudeness, however in hindsight, that hostility served Harris properly. It confirmed that she might maintain her personal towards a fierce conservative assault, and even come out forward. The talk wasn’t that—Trump isn’t a worthy sparring accomplice. He’s too silly and cognitively compromised. However Baier isn’t. After all, we knew this already—Harris was a prosecutor—nevertheless it was a pleasant reminder for everybody attempting to faux in any other case. And that toughness got here by means of loud and clear when she referred to as out Baier for attempting to bullshit about Trump’s harmful “enemy within” rhetoric. Harris was on high of her sport.
3. It provides permission to squishy conservatives to contemplate Harris, or not less than sit the highest of the ticket out.
Sure, there aren’t many persuadables left, however there are nonetheless Nikki Haley major voters doubtlessly in play. As I wrote Tuesday, 13% of Haley voters are nonetheless undecided. And whereas that quantity is small, within the low tens of 1000’s within the battleground states, these voters might nonetheless assist construct a majority in states that would dangle on a razor’s edge.
4. It shuts up the media blowhards about Harris and media interviews.
The standard media is lastly specializing in Trump’s cognitive decline, after they’d fairly cry about trivial crap on the Democratic aspect. Harris simply took away one among their favourite criticisms about her, that she’s not doing media interviews. It additionally units a pleasant new narrative, as you possibly can see right here, right here, right here, right here, and right here. Even Fox Information gave her some credit score. And since everybody loves a Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sizzling take, right here you go.
5. Has Trump misplaced his thoughts but?
He’s more and more unhinged, and he doesn’t do properly when he sees Democrats on Fox, contemplating it’s his unique turf. He saved his cool in the course of the interview, merely posting “Make America Great Again” on his Fact social. However you already know it was consuming away at him, and likelihood is 100% that he’ll go on tirades concerning the look in his upcoming rallies.
6. Harris proved she will stay on message in probably the most hostile surroundings.
Baier needed to speak about President Joe Biden’s psychological colleges, Harris turned it round deftly and made it about Trump. Repeatedly, Baier trotted out a Republican speaking level, just for Harris to shortly jiu-jitsu it again on Trump. For instance, Baier, angling for a “deplorable” second, requested Harris “are [Trump supporters] stupid?” Harris answered, “Oh God, I would never say that about the American people. He’s the one who tends to demean and belittle and diminish the American people.”
7. She reminded us why we’re combating for her.
Harris did battle with the enemy, and got here out victorious. Hell yeah, let’s go!
8. It reminded everybody that Trump is a coward.
Are you able to think about Trump sitting for an interview with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC? After all not. He gained’t even debate Harris once more. He bailed on his city corridor after 4 questions and stood awkwardly on stage for 39 minutes listening to his playlist as a substitute. Deep down he is aware of he’s mentally diminished, and is attempting to trip out the clock inside his conservative bubble. The Harris marketing campaign is fortunately pushing that message.
Let’s end robust!
