Kamala Harris "will come back down to Earth sometime," says Mark Z. Barabak, ace political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, adding a cautionary note for Democrats about "irrational exuberance" in what is still a tight race between the Vice President and Donald Trump.
"If the election was held today, I think she'd win," said our favorite national politics pundit as he returned to Newsmakers TV.
"But the election is not being held today," he added with a smile.
On Thursday, Barabak broke down a presidential election that has been "utterly and thoroughly transformed" in the 49 days since President Biden's disastrous debate performance set off one of the more singular political dramas in American history.
In a free-wheeling conversation with the genial host, the veteran political analyst (together they've covered politics for 94 years: WTF?!? - ed.) offered insights about some of the most pressing questions about the race:
How will Harris explain and defend herself against hundreds of millions of dollars of Trump attack ads aimed at reminding voters about her past embrace of far-left positions, from fracking to immigration and Medicare for All?
Can Trump reunite with his own strategists and surrogates, who seem to be running one campaign against Harris that's about issues, while the former president runs another, freelancing with stream of consciousness on the stump?
How much does Trump's recent aberrant behavior reflect the impact of: a) PTSD from the attempted assassination against him on July 13? b) Harris confounding his expectations for an election rival, after he prepared for two years to run against Biden? c) Trump being Trump?
What does Harris have to accomplish at next week's Democratic National Convention, and how long can she ride the good vibes that have surrounded her since she took over the top of the ticket from President Biden, and nailed down the nomination nine days ago, before she sits for a serious interview?
What is in the cards for the scheduled Sept. 10 Harris-Trump showdown, as the two meet on ABC for their first - only? - debate?
What is the latest on the Electoral College arithmetic in key states, from Arizona, Georgia and Nevada to Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania? Especially Pennsylvania.
How much will the widespread publicity about the vice presidential nominees, from J.D. Vance and his"childless cat ladies" to Tim Walz's confrontation with Swiftboating II, matter to voters when they cast their ballots?
Plus: WTF was that Willie Brown and the helicopter thing all about?
All this and more, right here, right now on Newsmakers TV.
JR
Check out our conversation with Mark Barabak via YouTube below, or by clicking through this link. The podcast version is here. TVSB, Channel 17, airs the show every weeknight at 8 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on weekends. KCSB, 91.9 FM, broadcasts the program at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
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