Morning Wire Podcast Summary: "Trump Staffs Up & Harris Campaign Debt | 11.12.24"

Date: November 12, 2024
Host: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Guests: Tim Pierce, Cabot Phillips, Amanda Presta Giacomo

1. Trump Administration Staffing

Overview:
President-elect Donald Trump is rapidly assembling his second-term administration with a focus on key areas such as border security and national security. The selections indicate a commitment to continuing his first-term policies with experienced and loyal figures.

Notable Appointments:

• Susie Wiles appointed as Chief of Staff.
• Congressman Mike Walts named National Security Advisor. A decorated Green Beret with multiple deployments, Walts emphasizes military prioritization (02:08).
• Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Known for her strong support of Israel and stance against antisemitism, Stefanik aims to influence global perceptions of the U.S. (02:56).
• Stephen Miller, former head speechwriter, promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.
• Scott Besant, Wall Street investor, favored for Treasury Secretary. Besant advocates for making Trump's tax cuts permanent and strengthening the dollar (02:56).
• Tom Homan, former Acting Director of ICE, designated as Border Czar. Homan’s role will focus on securing the U.S. border and overseeing mass deportation efforts (03:22).

Insights from Cabot Phillips: Cabot Phillips highlights that these appointments reflect Trump’s priorities without significant policy surprises. The selection of Homan underscores a serious approach to immigration control, while Stefanik’s role at the UN is strategic for international relations.

Quotes:

• John Bickley (01:03): "President elect Donald Trump's administration has started to take shape, with top positions already being filled by people committed to carrying out Trump's agenda."
• Cabot Phillips (03:45): "Trump is serious about locking down illegal immigration at the border and carrying out his plan to deport potentially millions of illegal aliens."

2. Kamala Harris Campaign Expenditure

Overview:
The Kamala Harris campaign raised over $1 billion during the election cycle but ended up with a $20 million deficit. This unprecedented spending spree has sparked intense criticism and debate within the Democratic Party.

Spending Breakdown:

• Advertising: Over $654 million spent, surpassing Trump’s investment (07:44).
• Payroll: More than $56 million allocated to staff compared to Trump’s $9 million (08:22).
• Event Production: $15 million spent on events featuring celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry.
• Influencer Partnerships: Significant funds directed towards social media personalities targeting younger voters.
• Miscellaneous Expenses: Six-figure spending on podcast set construction for Harris's appearance on "Call Her Daddy," which garnered under 1 million views (08:22).

Key Points from Amanda Presta Giacomo: Amanda highlights that despite breaking fundraising records, the Harris campaign's massive expenditures in various non-essential areas contributed to the financial deficit. The reliance on high-profile endorsements and events did not translate into electoral success.

Quotes:

• Jen O'Malley Dillon (10:40): "Jen O'Malley Dillon promised all of us that Harris would win. She even put videos out saying that Harris would win. I believed her. My donors believed her. And so they wrote massive checks. I just, I feel like a lot of us were misled."
• Lyndy Lee (09:45): "The campaign was a billion dollar disaster."

3. Democratic Party Infighting and Blame Allocation

Overview:
Following the election losses, the Democratic Party is embroiled in internal conflicts, with members pointing fingers at various aspects that led to their defeat. The criticism is directed both inward at leadership and strategy, as well as outward at Kamala Harris’s campaign.

Key Issues:

• Campaign Strategy: Accusations of over-reliance on analytics and mismanagement of funds by Harris's campaign leaders.
• Candidate Weakness: Harris is criticized for being a weak candidate who failed to energize the base or appeal effectively to moderates and progressives alike (09:54).
• Policy Positions: Far-left progressives argue that the party did not champion enough transformative policies, while moderates claim the party has shifted too far left, alienating average voters.
• Biden and Harris Tension: Reports of strained relationships with accusations that Biden's late endorsement hindered a more effective primary process (14:01).

Insights from Amanda Presta Giacomo: Amanda explains that Democrats are grappling with the reality of significant voter shifts toward the right, encompassing diverse demographics. The party is now questioning its core strategies and policies, leading to a period of intense soul-searching and potential realignment.

Quotes:

• Bernie Sanders (13:09): "Harris did not offer enough change and that it's, quote, no great surprise that the working class has abandoned Democrats."
• Sen. Tom Suozzi (13:13): "The party is pandering to the far left and that people are sick of extremism."
• Rep. Seth Moulton (13:13): "I have two little girls. I don't want them getting run over on a playing field by a male. But as a Democrat, I'm supposed to be afraid to say that."

4. Reactions to Trump’s Staffing and Harris’s Campaign

Trump’s Administration Picks: The appointments have been largely well-received by Trump’s base, signaling a continuation of his focus on immigration and economic policies. Tom Homan's role as Border Czar, in particular, has garnered significant attention, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to stringent border control.

Harris Campaign Criticism: Democratic leaders and insiders are scrutinizing the Harris campaign’s financial missteps. Jen O'Malley Dillon and Rob Flaherty face backlash for their roles in the campaign’s overspending and strategic failures, with calls for accountability and lessons to be learned for future campaigns.

Quotes:

• John Bickley (05:36): "What price do you put on national security? Is that worth it?"
• John Bickley (10:26): "The anticipation was if the president were to step aside, that there would be an open primary. And as I say, Kamala may have. I think she would have done well in that and been stronger going forward."

5. Conclusion and Future Outlook

As Donald Trump prepares to assume the White House, his administration’s early staffing choices suggest a continuation of his first-term policies with an emphasis on national security and economic revitalization. Conversely, the Democratic Party faces significant challenges in reconciling internal divisions and addressing the strategic missteps that led to their electoral losses. The repercussions of the Harris campaign’s financial decisions and the ensuing blame game within the party signal a critical period of reflection and potential realignment for Democrats moving forward.

Overall Quotes with Timestamps:

• Georgia Howe (00:03): "President Trump begins filling his administrative team with key figures known for their strong stance on border security."
• John Bickley (00:09): "Criminal threats, national security threats are going to be prioritized, and that's the way it's going to be."
• Georgia Howe (07:31): "Harris's team actually broke fundraising records this election cycle, but still ended up in debt while losing the election."
• Amanda Presta Giacomo (11:35): "Democrats are undoubtedly reeling and understandably so. Americans of all age groups, income levels, and racial demographics moved to the right at historic levels."
• John Bickley (05:28): "When you want to seek asylum and go through the port of entry, do it the legal way."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the Morning Wire episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the original podcast.