Jen Psaki still has hope for Kamala Harris, Trump polls or not

Don’t panic about the elections (yet).

Right now, election anxiety is palpable, whether at the train station or on the text message chain. And it’s understandable. This race is incredibly close. The newest New York Times/Sienna Survey shows a dead heat, and more importantly, seven key swing states all show Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump poll within the margin of error.

This election comes just eight years after a man who created misogyny And racism is an important part of his campaign defeated our first truly viable female nominee, and just four years later Trump helped incite an insurrection on the steps of our Capitol.

But I’m not panicking (yet). And here’s why.

First, I think late decision makers are break for Harris. According to that same New York Times/Sienna poll, “15 percent of voters described themselves as not fully decided, and Ms. Harris leads that group, 42 percent to 32 percent. Two weeks ago, Trump had a narrow lead among undecided or persuadable voters, 36 to 35 percent.” This matches a recent one Emerson College Poll showing Harris leading this group by double digits.

Second, people are already voting, and even though Republican turnout is up in some states like NevadaDemocratic voters, especially women, are reportedly casting their ballots at higher rates. This is always a good sign, considering Harris’ gender gap compared to women. Even among young men – a group Trump has invested a lot of money and effort into – Harris has an advantage in at least one poll below probably young male voters.

Finally, Harris has a far better ground operations for the final push, which has an impact on both enthusiasm and attendance. Does this mean she will win the election? I don’t know yet. Nobody does that. It ultimately depends on who more of their supporters will turn out to be in the final days.

So yes, it’s okay to be concerned. But as someone who has lived through many stressful elections, the only proven way to channel that energy, rather than simply watching the polls change, is to do something that benefits the democratic process. Visit Pennsylvania, or volunteer in a nearby swing state. And of course voting.

Harris’ closing argument

With less than two weeks until Election Day, the Harris campaign has reaffirmed its closing message: Kamala Harris will defend our democracy, while Donald Trump is the biggest threat.

Seizing one bombshell series of interviews of John KellyTrump’s longest-serving chief of staff and a retired Marine Corps general, Harris has drawn the contrast forcefully. At CNN’s town hall this week, she broke new rhetorical ground unequivocally stated Trump ‘is a fascist’.

In Kelly’s official interviews with The New York Times, he did not hold back, warning that Trump meets the definition of a fascist and even claiming that Trump praised Adolf Hitler during his presidency as a leader who “did some good things.” While other former White House officials have expressed similar concerns about their former boss’s leadership, Kelly’s comments carry significant weight given his close working relationship with Trump. His warnings underscore the Harris campaign’s argument that in a second term there would be no one left to stop Trump from his most dangerous impulses.

This message is also a sign that the Harris campaign is not just focused on energizing the Democratic base. It focuses mainly on moderate Republicans and swing voters those who leaned towards them former governor Nikki Haley. In the most recent poll among Haley voters, Harris had a 14-point lead on the question of who “has the character it takes to be president.” Moreover, 57% of those voters described Trump as “too erratic” to serve another term.

As the campaign enters its final stages, Harris is betting that her message – rooted in defending democracy – will resonate in key swing states.

Q&A with Jordan Klepper

We extend a warm welcome to this Sunday Jordaan Klepper to the show to discuss his new special: “The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers The Pulse: Rally Together,” premiering immediately after “The Daily Show” on Monday, October 28 at 11:30 PM ET.

Klepper has gained recognition over the past eight years for his interviews at Trump rallies and other political events. In this special, he is joined by friends and experts from several swing states for a deep dive into the devotion of the MAGA faithful.

What do you hear most often from Trump supporters about why he is their guy?

The standard answer is the economy, tough on crime and immigration, but the real answer is that he is Donald Trump. They love him as a symbol. They put flags of his head next to Rambo. They have more stickers of his face on their bumper than portraits of their children on their mantles. For the diehards I talk to, this isn’t a new crush or a political calculation. This is an identity. And that is difficult to change. If you’ve spent the past eight years wearing MAGA hats in grocery stores to piss off neighbors and blocking family members on Facebook chats, it’s hard to undo that this year’s Thanksgiving. You are the Trump man or woman. That’s who you are now.

Do you ever encounter rally-goers who are shocked by what they hear from Trump at his rallies?

No! Good luck America!

One race we’re watching: North Carolina State Senate District 37

Kate Barr is not your typical Democratic candidate. She is running for the District 37 Senate seat in North Carolina with the slogan “Kate Barr can’t win.” On paper, she is running against the Republican incumbent senator. Vickie Sawyer. Her real goal? To raise awareness about gerrymandering.

“District 37 is so gerrymandered I don’t have a chance.” Barr writes on her website. “I’ve been training my whole life to lose this Senate race. I voted for Al Gore in 2000 cheered for Carolina basketball during the Matt Doherty era, and watch the Carolina Panthers on Sunday (shudder).”

Her humor highlights a serious problem. North Carolina, he said, has become the “poster child” for partisan gerrymandering Bob Phillipsdirector of General cause NC. District 37, recently redrawn by the Republican Party-controlled Legislature, is now heavily in Republican favor. But Barr sees her candidacy as making this undemocratic practice impossible to ignore.

“Outside” with Jen Psaki: Jen takes Michigan

With Election Day just around the corner, I’m heading to Michigan to monitor voting efforts for crucial races. I will be knocking on doors and ensuring early voter turnout in Detroit and mid-Michigan for the presidential race, the Michigan Senate race, Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, and the Michigan Supreme Court.

Stay tuned for updates as we follow the campaign trail.