Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Trump v. Harris Magnifies Generational and Cultural Divides

Donald Trump walks onstage to the 1984 Lee Greenwood song "God Bless the USA," cheered on by a roaring crowd that skews older and White. Kamala Harris walks out to Beyonce's 2016 hit "Freedom" and leans into internet memes - addressing more racially diverse audiences dotted with chartreuse shirts and pins that pay homage to a 2024 pop album called "Brat." The split screen reflects two presidential campaigns that embody two very different cultural, generational and social identities, setting up a stark contrast for voters.

More

Comments

Trump's grievance-fueled movement is full of nostalgia for past generations and his own term in office - and fear and anger about how undocumented immigration and secularization are changing the country, interviews with many supporters show. At rallies, Trump offers apocalyptic warnings about the southern border, promises to crack down on "transgender insanity," re-litigates his 2020 election loss, belittles his critics and vows retribution on his perceived enemies, making many false and baseless claims in his lengthy speeches.

Harris, meanwhile, is drawing new energy from young voters and people of color who say they worry that Trump will take America backward to a place where women, people of color, LGBTQ+ Americans and others face more challenges. She delivers tightly scripted speeches that prompt her crowds to boo at Trump but also strike sunny tones, such as pointing toward "the future."

The past versus the future has always been a continuous theme running through American presidential politics, but there has seldom been a more stark contrast between candidates and their visions as we're seeing right now. One campaign is full of grievance, retribution and anger, while the other is full of energy, joy, and determination.

May the best woman win.

#1 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-08-14 10:05 AM

"Trump's grievance-fueled movement is full of nostalgia"

For Klan meetings in circa 1920 Mississippi, maybe.

I mean, really. MAGA has NO nostalgia for the good stuff of past eras. Just look at them.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2024-08-14 10:40 AM

"According to polling, Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining momentum with White voters without a college education in key swing states ahead of the 2024 election."

www.cnn.com

Ruh Row!

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2024-08-14 07:20 PM

If I was on the lam for catalytic converter theft, I'd hide at a Trump rally.

#4 | Posted by zarnon at 2024-08-14 09:05 PM

OPINION: After growing up with Trump chaos and COVID, young people see an optimistic and generous America

If elected, Kamala Harris will be the first post-baby boom president. (Barack Obama was on the cusp.) This really is a passing of the torch. For young Americans, it is a stunning moment " the one where they realize they really are citizens of a great nation.

heartlandsignal.com

#5 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-08-14 10:24 PM

And another largely unrecognized thing is this: While the Republicans - up and downticket - spend a lot of their time spewing faux-alpha toxic masculinity as a self-identifying attractive political quality, Democratic men - from Paul Pelosi and Doug Emhoff as husbands to the two most powerful Democratic women politicians - to each of Kamala Harris' announced VP candidates, and most certainly Tim Walz himself, these self confident men were all ready and willing to become subservient to a strong woman without a flinch.

Can anyone see Trump willing to work under any woman alive?

#6 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-08-14 10:38 PM

Trumpazee's campaign is looking more and more Republcl0wns are trying to pull a "Weekend at Bernie's" by wheeling around a corpse to get it elected.

I imagine it's the only way JD could ever imagine becoming president.

#7 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2024-08-15 06:33 AM

Drudge Retort Headlines

Central Park 5 Sue Trump for Defamation (76 comments)

U.S. Infant Deaths Rose After Fall of Roe v. Wade (61 comments)

McDonald's Donald Trump Worked at Failed Last Health Inspection (39 comments)

Harris Leads Trump 2-1 Among the Earliest Voters (39 comments)

Trump Talking About Arnold Palmer's Private Parts is Just Weird (38 comments)

Navajo Code Talker, who Played Crucial Role in WWII, Dies (33 comments)

Trump's Social Security Plan: 33% Benefits Cuts (32 comments)

McDonald's Distancing itself from Donald Trump (32 comments)