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Many people have remarked upon the upbeat tone of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, with its emphasis on joy, smiles and laughter. But there’s a not-so-light-hearted underside to that, according to Chris Lamb, a journalism professor at Indiana University.
Harris is urging people not just to laugh with her but to laugh at her opponent, Donald Trump. Ridicule has long been a tool of politicians – Lamb has even written a book about it – and Harris is using it the way Trump has, to diminish her target’s status.
Trump may be, as Harris put it at the Democratic National Convention, “an unserious man,” but Harris’ attacks clearly have him rattled, Lamb writes. Ridicule is one of Trump’s admitted weaknesses, and it’s on full display in this presidential campaign.
Also in this week’s politics news:
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Kamala Harris laughs at Donald Trump during her convention speech on Aug. 22, 2024.
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images
Chris Lamb, Indiana University
Democrats are taking a new tone aimed at a particular weakness of Donald Trump: He hates being laughed at.
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Both candidates are reaching out to union leaders and rank-and-file members.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images and Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Robert Forrant, UMass Lowell
Union voters are particularly significant in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada, three swing states where the share of voters who belong to unions is above average.
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pa., on Aug. 30, 2024.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Michael Scott Bryant, Bryant University
Throughout modern history, charismatic leaders have shown their extraordinary ability to elicit devotion to themselves and their causes.
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Derek T. Muller, University of Notre Dame
Concerns are mounting that some election officials might subvert the results of the 2024 presidential election by refusing to certify results. An election law expert says the law now prevents that.
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Nasir Uddin, University of Chittagong
Hundreds of thousands of minority Muslims fled Myanmar in 2017 amid a government crackdown. Seven years on, they remain in refugee camps.
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Angela Schöpke Gonzalez, University of Michigan
Last year, at least 686 migrants died trying to cross into the US from Mexico. Many had the option to call 911 but were too afraid of detection and deportation to seek help.
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Christopher K. Tong, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Charles Krusekopf, Royal Roads University
Mongolia has worked hard to craft friendly relations across the globe. But geography means that Russia and China still retain a strong influence.
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Noah Kaufman, Columbia University
Slowing climate change means cutting fossil fuel use. Many oil- and gas-producing communities aren’t prepared for that future, as a former White House economic and climate adviser explains.
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