13th September 2024
With Autumn fast approaching the changes in the US political front were considered on the Greg Hughes Show with our contributor Seamus Gunn quoting “It’s all changed, changed utterly” in describing Kamala Harris’ ascent to the Democratic nomination. While back in July Donald Trump was ahead in the polls and seemed to be moving in the direction of a second term in the White House, Harris is now marginally in front following President Biden’s retirement from the race. Kamala Harris’ first interview on CNN news was referenced by our contributor who said that she was now laying out her stall which was not diametrically opposed to Biden’s agenda when he was in the contest. Seamus Gunn said that she had been a State Prosecutor in California and would be well versed in dealing with migration and would likely firm up on it while continuing to support Israel but also pushing for a settlement. He noted that inflation was coming down and he was at a loss to understand why the Trump camp were not focusing more on the economy. Greg Hughes countered by saying that his advisors could not keep him on point. Both agreed that the name calling, and personal insults were not likely to work for Trump on this occasion and that he would have to at some point back up his elaborate statements with facts. The point about her change of attitude about fracking was also made, particularly in Pennsylvania when previously she was in favour of a ban on this activity. Seamus Gunn said that it was refreshing to see that she was considering having a Republican on her cabinet which was an example of her forward-thinking mentality.
He thought that when she would come up against Donald Trump in the first of their debates in September next, she would have the facts and figures to back up her claims, putting any general statements on his part under scrutiny. He said that the approach that the Harris camp was adopting was to portray her as a down to earth person with whom anyone could have a conversation about the issues of the day. He thought that the Trump campaign had gone somewhat flat from interpreting the body language, that the Republicans had not come to terms with the Harris candidacy. There was also reference to the incident in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia earlier in the week, which our contributor considered was an error on the Trump side as Federal Law prohibited taking photographs in such settings. The role of A.I. with misinformation and disinformation was also considered and the likely impact that this could have on the outcome of the election.
As it enters its final months, the race is certainly hotting up.
The Q&A that followed is available to listen to below: