Podcast Summary: "Kamala: Next in Line"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Deadline: White House
• Host: Nicolle Wallace, MSNBC
• Episode: Kamala: Next in Line
• Release Date: October 9, 2024

Introduction

In the "Kamala: Next in Line" episode of Deadline: White House, hosted by Nicolle Wallace, listeners are taken on an in-depth journey through Kamala Harris's early political career. Drawing from original content produced in collaboration with MSNBC and Wondery, the episode delves into the pivotal moments and relationships that shaped Harris into the prominent political figure she is today.

Origins of Kamala Harris's Campaign

The episode begins with Joy Reid reminiscing about the original 2020 podcast series, highlighting its significance in portraying the stories that molded Kamala Harris’s political persona.

Joy Reid [00:03]:
"Back in 2020, as then Senator Kamala Harris was running alongside Joe Biden for the White House, MSNBC and Wondery teamed up on a podcast called Kamala Next in Line. It was hosted by yours truly and told the stories that shaped the woman we know today."

Fast forward to the period leading up to an election, Rebecca Prozan recounts her initial contact with Harris as she steps into the role of campaign manager.

Rebecca Prozan [00:56]:
"Around the same time Gary Delanis met Kamala Harris, Rebecca Prozan got a phone."

Kamala Harris [01:01]:
"Call and you know, the call that changed my life. Senator Harris called and was like, look, I'm looking for a campaign manager. Are you interested?"

Assembling the Campaign Team

Despite limited personal acquaintance, Prozan recognized Harris's potential, especially after her announcement to run for district attorney. The nascent campaign team, including political consultant Jim Stern, convenes in a modest office setup.

Kamala Harris [01:17]:
"San Francisco political scene is literally like high school."

Kamala Harris [01:31]:
"But it was like a redone basement office. So it was an open, like there was maybe three desks in there. And then we were like in the sitting. There was like a little sitting area."

During their initial meeting, Harris articulates her confidence in securing a runoff position despite low polling numbers.

Kamala Harris [02:26]:
"But Fazio was sort of seen as too far to the right for San Francisco... People thought Kamala was fierce. Like, they knew she was serious. They knew she was a talented trial attorney."

Campaign Challenges and Strategies

The campaign faced significant hurdles, including entrenched incumbents and strong opponents like Bill Fazio, who held more name recognition and funding. Kamala's strategy focused on portraying herself as a competent and relentless candidate capable of overcoming these obstacles.

Kamala Harris [02:36]:
"She was running against an entrenched incumbent who was extremely well known in both San Francisco political circles and was a progressive district attorney and had... some pretty good missteps and everybody thought that he was very vulnerable."

Prozan shares her realization of the daunting task ahead as the campaign approached the runoff threshold.

Kamala Harris [03:06]:
"I'm at 6%. And I was like, well, what am I supposed to do with that?"

Kamala Harris [03:23]:
"She was like, just get me in the runoff, Rebecca. I know I can win if you get me in the runoff."

Ground Campaign and Volunteer Mobilization

With limited resources, the campaign adopted grassroots strategies. Prozan recounts setting up campaign headquarters amidst construction chaos in the Bayview neighborhood, improvising makeshift stages, and mobilizing volunteers for phone banking.

Kamala Harris [04:47]:
"There was no stage. There was no money to make a stage. And so I... took my coffee table and took it to the campaign because it was like a crappy coffee table that was from my dad's medical office."

A standout flyer illustrated Harris's commitment to diversity and change, contrasting her image against previous predominantly white male district attorneys.

Kamala Harris [05:24]:
"On one side of the mailer, it was all white males, and you turned it over and it was, you know, San Francisco has a possibility of changing the landscape, so to speak."

Political Alliances and Opposition

A significant aspect of the campaign was Harris's relationship with former Mayor Willie Brown. Despite their past personal relationship, political alliances played a crucial role, with Brown endorsing Harris over Fazio.

Gary Delanis [06:14]:
"So he wanted us to endorse her rather than Fazio, but our ties with Bill Fazio had run too deep."

Opponents leveraged Harris's past relationship with Brown to question her integrity, prompting Harris to adopt a strategy of positive campaigning over negative attacks.

Kamala Harris [07:58]:
"I want to make a commitment to you that my campaign is not going to be about negative attacks."

Election Night and Aftermath

As election night unfolded, the results were tight but favored Harris's entry into the runoff. Celebrations ensued, marking a significant milestone in her political ascent.

Kamala Harris [08:37]:
"Oh, no, there was a party. There was a party."

Despite initial support favoring Harris as a second choice, her leadership qualities shone through, leading to her eventual victory.

Gary Delanis [08:50]:
"We called her in and we said, okay, you're our candidate."

Final Campaign Debates and Strategies

In the concluding weeks, Harris focused on differentiating herself from incumbent Terrence Hallinan by addressing key issues such as the backlog of murder cases in the district attorney's office.

Terrence Hallinan [09:22]:
"We have an absolute backlog of cases sitting, waiting trial defendants... because of the district attorney's inability or incapacity to prosecute those cases."

Harris's approach emphasized efficiency and leadership, contrasting sharply with Hallinan's criticisms of the current system.

Conclusion

"Kamala: Next in Line" provides a comprehensive look into the strategic maneuvers, personal relationships, and resilience that propelled Kamala Harris from a local district attorney race to national prominence. Through firsthand accounts and insightful discussions, the episode underscores the foundational experiences that prepared Harris for her future roles in the U.S. political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Kamala Harris [01:01]:
  "The call that changed my life."

• Kamala Harris [02:36]:
  "People thought Kamala was fierce. Like, they knew she was serious. They knew she was a talented trial attorney."

• Kamala Harris [07:58]:
  "I want to make a commitment to you that my campaign is not going to be about negative attacks."

• Terrence Hallinan [09:22]:
  "Each one represents a life."

This summary encapsulates the critical moments and strategies from Kamala Harris’s district attorney campaign, providing listeners with a clear understanding of her political evolution and the foundational experiences that contributed to her rise in American politics.