TN Politics: Harris, Trump Campaigns Make Final Call

WKNO TRANSCRIPT

CHRISTOPHER BLANK (HOST): The campaign ends next Tuesday. For better or for worse, we will have a new president, and locally we could have some new laws as well. Together with us we look ahead: Otis Sanford, political analyst from Memphis. Welcome back!

OTIS SANFORD: Thank you, Chris. Nice to be with you again.

BLANK: I want to start with a column you wrote in the Daily Memphian You recently pointed out that Tennessee is unlikely to turn blue or vote for Kamala Harris, even if crowds of people show up in Shelby County to vote. So how do you advocate for those people who say, why shouldn’t I even play the game since I can’t win?

SANFORD: Well, because voting is sacred, especially to me. And so it’s easy for me – even though I’m talking about the reality here, and looking at the numbers: Statewide, Republicans outnumber Democrats. That’s just a reality. But that still doesn’t absolve anyone of their right—and I would argue, their obligation—to vote. And who knows? There have been disruptions before. And while I don’t expect one for the presidential race, there could be some disruptions in local races.

BLANK: Early voting ended yesterday. Let’s talk about some of those numbers. On Tuesday, the totals were higher than those of 2016, but lower than those of 2020, the year of the pandemic. Did you think Harris would drive higher turnout, at least to start?

SANFORD: When I look at the numbers now (and we have all the reports except Thursday, the last day), I’m not that disappointed with the turnout. We are only 69,000 fewer than 2020. And don’t forget: 2020 was a pandemic year. And election day turnout in 2020 was just 54,000. I expect it will reach almost 100,000 next Tuesday, probably even more than 100,000. And if that’s the case, we’ll probably match 2020. So I look at this in a different way. Yes, early voting isn’t possible, but it didn’t work out because people want to vote early in 2020 during the pandemic to get this out of the way.

BLANK: You know, one of the things we’ve been talking about here is that neither candidate can say much at this point to change people’s minds. Of course, that was all before Donald Trump’s rally in New York, where a comedian called Puerto Ricans trash. Then Joe, Biden called racist Trump supporters trash. Trump then dressed up as a garbage man. I have a feeling Halloween is a candidate this year. You know, for normal people in America – just reasonable people – what do you think are the best closing arguments for each of these campaigns?

SANFORD: Let’s start with Trump. I think his best closing argument — and the argument I think he’s been most consistent with — was immigration and border security. That has been his bread and butter. He’s tried talking about the economy, but he just can’t stay on message, along with all his other nonsense, including one recently where he talked about protecting women whether they like it or not. That was very insulting. So the only thing really facing him at this point is immigration. As for Harris, her final message is clear: it’s about women’s health and their reproductive freedoms. She insists on that. That message resonates. Women vote en masse, much more than men. Moreover, it is helped by an economy that has improved. We have a record stock market. Inflation has fallen. Gas prices have fallen. She now benefits from that. But her final message is clearly about reproductive health for women.

BLANK: We’re already hearing that the presidential election results could be disputed on Tuesday, especially if it’s close in those swing states. So what do you expect on Tuesday night? Will there be a concession speech from either side?

SANFORD: No, not from either party on Tuesday night, and I don’t think we’ll ever get one from Donald Trump. However, I expect, Chris – and I may eat my words on this – but I expect that once all the votes are counted, Kamala Harris is going to win this election. And it probably won’t be as close as the polls say. She closes strongly. Trump is approaching a confused, almost comical state. A few minutes ago you just said he got on a garbage truck and put on a striped suit. I just think his schtick here wears thin in the end. But he will never give in. They will argue and go to court claiming irregularities and fraud, but I predict Kamala Harris will win this election.