The Blueprint with Jen Psaki: Live Coverage - Election Night 2024

Release Date: November 6, 2024

Introduction

On Election Night 2024, MSNBC’s “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki” provided comprehensive live coverage of the unfolding presidential race. Hosted by Jen Psaki, the episode delved into the immediate outcomes of the election, the state of the Democratic and Republican campaigns, and the broader implications for the future of the American political landscape.

Key Election Projections

As the night progressed, NBC News projected key swing states, setting the tone for the possible election outcome. By 1:52 am, North Carolina and Georgia were called for Republican candidate Donald Trump, bolstering his stance in the Electoral College. Lawrence O'Donnell highlighted these projections, noting the significant lead they provided Trump:

"Two of the seven swing states have been called by NBC News. North Carolina and Georgia have both been projected as having been won by Republican candidate Donald Trump." ([00:35])

Democratic Campaign Developments

On the Democratic front, the campaign held an event at Howard University in Washington, D.C., with Cedric Richmond, co-chair of Kamala Harris’s campaign, addressing the crowd. However, the event concluded without remarks from Vice President Harris, signaling a subdued evening for the Democrats:

"Vice President Harris would not be making any remarks tonight, that she will be speaking both to Howard University and to the nation tomorrow." ([00:35])

Republican Campaign Momentum at Mar a Lago

Donald Trump’s campaign maintained a strong presence at Mar a Lago, moving later to the Palm Beach Convention Center. Here, a fervent crowd awaited Trump’s address, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding his projected victories. Vaughn Hilliard provided an on-the-ground perspective:

"Donald Trump [...] is now preparing to hear from their candidate tonight." ([02:29])

Hilliard detailed the loyalists present, including notable figures like Rudy Giuliani, Roger Stone, and J.D. Vance, underscoring the unwavering support within Trump’s inner circle:

"It's those loyalists, including at the staff level, that are going to be the ones that take his side." ([02:29])

Transition Process and MAGA Movement Policies

A significant point of discussion was the Trump campaign’s unconventional approach to the transition process. Unlike standard protocols, Trump’s team did not engage in typical transition activities, raising questions about their readiness to govern:

"The Trump campaign has refused to do any of that. And in fact, Trump has refused intelligence briefings throughout the campaign itself." ([06:48])

Hilliard elaborated on potential policy directions, emphasizing the MAGA movement’s influence and the possible reshaping of federal agencies:

"They have made the case [...] that the country was by his side [...] and they were going to effectively be able to build the MAGA movement." ([02:29])

Electoral College Implications and Democratic Concerns

With Trump securing victories in crucial swing states, the Electoral College projections favor him significantly. Steve Kornacki discussed the disparity between the Electoral College and the popular vote, highlighting concerns about democratic legitimacy:

"The way that anything is decided anywhere else in the world, we should scrap the Electoral College." ([17:37])

Kornacki also emphasized the importance of peaceful transitions and the potential challenges to American democracy:

"It's important to note that [...] the preservation of American democracy in the constitutional order begins as an ongoing process anew tomorrow." ([18:25])

Abortion Referenda and Policy Implications

The night also saw significant developments in abortion rights across several states. Referenda passed in Nevada, Arizona, and Missouri, indicating a complex landscape for future policy-making. Analysts debated the implications of these outcomes:

"The Arizona abortion rights measure, proposition 139, right to an abortion look similar, similar margin there, 63% vote in Arizona in favor of abortion rights." ([27:56])

Joy Reid and Alex Wagner discussed the potential for a national abortion ban versus state-level decisions, underscoring the ongoing political tug-of-war:

"Those Republicans can count those votes and they can count 57% of the vote in the state of Florida. They know how to count that." ([30:57])

State-Specific Results: Michigan and New Jersey

Focus shifted to Michigan, a pivotal battleground state. Vaughn Hilliard provided detailed insights into county-level results, particularly highlighting Macomb and Oakland counties. Trump's significant lead in Macomb County appeared to overshadow Democratic gains in Oakland:

"Trump is now getting more out of Macomb county than the Democrats got out of Oakland County." ([67:08])

Additionally, New Jersey was called for Kamala Harris, marking one of the last key states yet to be projected:

"New Jersey, believe it or not, was one of the states that the Trump campaign was sort of bragging on." ([74:00])

Reactions and Commentary

MSNBC hosts and commentators offered diverse perspectives on the night’s developments. Stephanie Ruhle and Alex Wagner critiqued Trump's victory speech, noting its modest tone compared to his previous rhetoric:

"In the 12 minutes that they put in the teleprompter, it was a very modest and non Trumpian speech that had only two words of policy." ([75:54])

Chris Hayes emphasized the enduring influence of the MAGA movement and the potential challenges it poses to American democracy:

"If Donald Trump then does what he has promised to do, people need to understand that he didn't pull one over on the American people." ([25:25])

Trump’s Victory Speech Highlights

Donald Trump addressed his supporters at Palm Beach, Florida, delivering a victory speech that encapsulated his campaign’s themes of change and resurgence:

"I want to thank you all very much. This is great. These are our friends. We have thousands of friends on this incredible movement." ([38:37])

Trump lauded the MAGA movement’s achievements, projected victories, and outlined his vision for a "strong, safe, and prosperous America." He emphasized unity and economic revival, promising to "make America great again":

"Every single day, I will be fighting for you. And with every breath in my body, I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve." ([48:54])

Final Electoral Projections

By the episode’s conclusion, Trump had accumulated 266 electoral votes, while Harris held 218. Minnesota and New Jersey were projected for Harris, maintaining the tight race. Lawrence O'Donnell summarized the night’s state-by-state breakdown:

"266 electoral votes right now for Trump, 218 for Kamala Harris." ([74:51])

Conclusion

“The Blueprint with Jen Psaki” provided an in-depth and dynamic exploration of Election Night 2024. The episode not only detailed the immediate electoral outcomes but also delved into the strategic implications for both the Democratic and Republican parties. With Trump poised for a potential victory, the discussion highlighted the significant shifts within the MAGA movement, the complexities of the transition process, and the broader threats and opportunities facing American democracy.

Notable Quotes:

1. Lawrence O'Donnell on Electoral College:

   "The Electoral College looks strongly in his favor." ([17:37])

2. Steve Kornacki on Democracy:

   "We care about democracy and we care about all of us choosing together what we do." ([18:25])

3. Stephanie Ruhle on Trump’s Speech:

   "It was an extremely modest speech. That's the state of the Trump policy going forward." ([76:13])

4. Alex Wagner on Voting Choices:

   "A choice is made and then you get what you chose." ([20:28])

5. Vaughn Hilliard on Trump’s Inner Circle:

   "Roger Stone... really stood by Donald Trump through these years." ([02:29])

Timestamp Reference Examples:

• Initial State Projections: [00:35]
• Transition Process Discussion: [06:48]
• Electoral College Implications: [17:37]
• Abortion Referenda Results: [27:56]
• Michigan State Results: [67:08]
• Trump’s Victory Speech: [38:37]

This detailed summary encapsulates the critical moments and analyses from the podcast episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a thorough understanding of Election Night 2024’s pivotal developments.