Pod Save America - "Exclusive: The Harris Campaign On What Went Wrong"

Release Date: November 26, 2024
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor
Guests: Jenna Malley (Campaign Manager), Dillon Quentin (Deputy Campaign Manager), Stephanie Cutter (Messaging and Communications), David Plouffe (Consultant)

1. Introduction and Context

In this exclusive episode of Pod Save America, Dan Pfeiffer engages in a candid conversation with key members of the Harris Walls campaign team following their recent electoral defeat. The discussion delves into the multifaceted reasons behind the unexpected loss, offering listeners an in-depth analysis of campaign strategies, voter behavior, and external factors that influenced the outcome.

2. Election Day Experience and Expectations

Dan Pfeiffer opens the dialogue by asking Jenna Malley about the campaign’s sentiments leading up to Election Day and the initial signs that suggested a shift toward Trump's favor.

[02:36] Jenna Malley:
"We really thought this was a very close race... We expected it to be close. We saw early votes ending strong for us and the types of voters we wanted, but Election Night extended that uncertainty."

The team had anticipated a margin-of-error race, especially in battleground states like Florida and Virginia. Despite strong early indicators, the campaign remained optimistic until the final hours when results solidified Trump's advantage.

3. Analyzing the Loss: Turnout and Voter Shifts

The discussion pivots to voter turnout dynamics and how they impacted the election results.

[03:48] Dan Pfeiffer:
"Is that just because Trump's turnout was so high?"

[03:52] Jenna Malley:
"It's a little bit mixed. Trump's turnout was high in early voting, which likely contributed to the shift. We also saw expected turnout in rural areas but anticipated smaller margins in battlegrounds than what transpired."

High early turnout for Trump, combined with lighter turnout in critical areas and slight drops in support in certain regions, created a gap that the Harris campaign couldn't bridge despite their efforts.

4. Impact of Trump's Campaign Ads and Trans Issues

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the Trump campaign's use of targeted advertising, particularly concerning transgender issues, and the campaign's response.

[29:00] Carl's Jr. Advertiser (Guest):
"Trump spent 37% of his $200 million on trans-related ads, aiming to make the Harris campaign seem out of touch."

The Harris team conducted extensive testing to evaluate potential responses to these ads but found that direct rebuttals were less effective than focusing on positive messaging about Kamala Harris and economic issues.

[32:54] Dan Pfeiffer:
"Did you feel the trans ads influenced your loss?"

[35:00] Carl's Jr. Advertiser:
"While the ads did garner attention, our data indicated they didn't significantly sway voter behavior in battleground states. The core issues like the economy and immigration remained pivotal in voters' decisions."

5. Messaging Strategy: Defining Kamala Harris and Raising Stakes

The campaign's dual focus on defining Harris as a distinct candidate and highlighting the risks of a second Trump term is examined.

[10:56] Stephanie Cutter:
"Our first priority was to define Kamala Harris during the convention, emphasizing her unique background and vision for the future. We aimed to contrast her leadership with Trump's, focusing on economic policies and coalition-building."

Despite these efforts, the compressed campaign timeline of 107 days limited the depth and breadth of message dissemination, making it challenging to sufficiently differentiate Harris from her predecessors and opponents.

6. Campaign Spending and Field Operations

The team's investment in diverse campaign strategies, including traditional media, digital outreach, and field operations, is discussed.

[41:51] Jenna Malley:
"We invested heavily in linear television, digital platforms, and a robust field operation with 3,000 staff members across battleground states. These resources were crucial in trying to maximize our outreach under tight timelines."

Challenges such as natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes) and logistical constraints further strained the campaign's ability to maintain consistent messaging and voter engagement.

7. Latino Voters: Shifts and Challenges

The shifting dynamics within the Latino voting bloc pose critical challenges for future campaigns.

[79:00] Jenna Malley:
"Latino voters are not a monolith, and their shift to the right, especially among Latino men, presents an unsustainable trend for Democratic success in Senate races and other key elections."

The campaign recognized the need for nuanced strategies tailored to diverse Latino communities but struggled to effectively counteract the broader rightward movement within this demographic.

8. Reaching Young Men and Overcoming Engagement Barriers

Addressing the difficulty in engaging young male voters, the team reflects on missed opportunities and the influence of non-traditional media.

[86:22] Jenna Malley:
"Trump effectively used platforms like TikTok to reach young men, something the Democratic campaign struggled with. Moving forward, we need innovative approaches that resonate with this demographic's interests and communication styles."

The Harris campaign emphasized relational organizing and empowering voters to engage within their communities but acknowledged that more needs to be done to penetrate the cultural spaces where young men consume media.

9. Super PAC Dynamics and Campaign Coordination

The disparity between Democratic and Republican Super PAC operations is highlighted, suggesting that Republicans' coordinated efforts provided a strategic advantage.

[52:58] Dan Pfeiffer:
"Should Democrats adopt multiple Super PACs similar to Republicans to enhance fundraising and targeted campaigning?"

[Jenna Malley]:
"Yes, supporting diverse groups that can reach varied voter segments is essential. Relying on a single Super PAC limits our ability to engage effectively across different communities."

The team underscores the necessity for better coordination among multiple Democratic entities to avoid duplication and maximize outreach efficiency.

10. Final Lessons and Future Directions

In concluding remarks, team members share personal reflections on the election loss and outline steps for future improvements.

[94:41] Jenna Malley:
"We lost, and it sucks, but the volunteer efforts were invaluable. Moving forward, we must continue empowering grassroots supporters and refining our strategies to better connect with all voter segments, especially those we struggled to reach this time."

[93:42] Stephanie Cutter:
"We need to focus on substantive policy discussions that resonate with voters' everyday lives, such as economic solutions, reproductive freedom, and supporting the sandwich generation, rather than getting entangled in polarized cultural debates."

The campaign emphasizes the importance of building lasting voter relationships, enhancing media strategies to engage diverse demographics, and fostering internal party cohesion to address systemic issues that hinder Democratic electoral success.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jenna Malley [02:36]:
  "We really thought this was a very close race... We expected it to be close."

• Stephanie Cutter [10:56]:
  "Our first priority was to define Kamala Harris during the convention, emphasizing her unique background and vision for the future."

• Carl's Jr. Advertiser [29:00]:
  "Trump spent 37% of his $200 million on trans-related ads, aiming to make the Harris campaign seem out of touch."

• Jenna Malley [41:51]:
  "We invested heavily in linear television, digital platforms, and a robust field operation with 3,000 staff members across battleground states."

• Jenna Malley [79:00]:
  "Latino voters are not a monolith, and their shift to the right, especially among Latino men, presents an unsustainable trend for Democratic success."

• Jenna Malley [86:22]:
  "Trump effectively used platforms like TikTok to reach young men, something the Democratic campaign struggled with."

Conclusion

The Harris campaign’s post-election analysis reveals a complex interplay of high Trump turnout, strategic ad deployments, challenges in voter outreach, especially among young men and Latino communities, and the pressing need for more coordinated Democratic campaign structures akin to Republican Super PACs. As the party looks ahead, the lessons learned underscore the necessity for adaptive strategies that prioritize authentic voter engagement, diversified media outreach, and fortified internal coordination to navigate the evolving political landscape.