Harris' best closing argument doesn't come from her

Samuel L. Jackson strutted onto the stage at James R. Hallford Stadium outside Atlanta last night and tried to inject some of his lifelong cool into Kamala Harris: “We heard her favorite swear word is also one of mine!” (Unfortunately, it held he refrains from saying it – of course you know what it is.)

Harris' team curated a star-studded performance including Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama. Thousands of potential voters had come out for Harris, but in the end the evening felt more like an anti-Trump rally. And even though Harris was the headliner, she seemed more like a role player in an ensemble.

A New York TimesThe Siena College poll released this morning has Donald Trump and Harris absolutely dead in the popular vote, 48-48. Up close, when you experience them live, the two campaigns couldn't be more different. Trump rallies remain dark, combative spectacles: a little Lee Greenwood, a few Village People, then a lot of dystopian hyperbole and chaotic innuendo from a rising authoritarian. It's the same show in a different city, night after night, always with the cult-like devotion of the MAGA faithful. In contrast, the Democrats continue to try to revive the unique Obama essence of 16 years ago, with temporary success. Harris has found her motto with “We’re not going back!” and she often talks about the future. But the core product her team offers is best described as nostalgia for the pre-Trump era.

You could hear it on the soundtrack last night: “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Got to Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye, “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder and some Outkast for the local Georgia crowd. It was all a warm, quiet evening that happened as the sun was setting – but that wasn't the case fiery. Instead of clothing with aggressive slogans, I came across a man in a shirt that said “ #PledgeEqualityand another guy in a hat who simply said: vibes. I've seen people forming hearts with their hands and snapping them in agreement at certain speeches (unlike the cadres of Trump supporters throwing the middle finger at his rallies). Springsteen played three songs on acoustic guitar, including a Bob Dylan-esque version of his synth-pop hit “Dancing in the Dark.” It was all harmless – like Jackson refusing to say “motherfucker.” On the one hand, you could say that this transition to “normal” is a calculated rejection of Trump’s bombast and bluster, and so in theory it should work. On the other hand, it was a bit boring.

I was shocked to see some attendees filtering out Harris' speech after just a few minutes. She addressed the big themes of her campaign — protecting Americans' rights and individual freedom — but also spent perhaps a little too much time discussing plans and policies. To be sure, this may have been a response to critics who said her campaign lacked substance and detail. Or perhaps it was an act of caution. But the reality is that people crowd into a football stadium because they want to roar, and not necessarily to hear suggestions.

Harris had the unenviable task of succeeding Obama, one of the world's most gifted political orators. With his sleeves rolled up – no tie, no jacket – he felt as comfortable and personable as ever. But he also seemed angry. As I recently observed in Pennsylvania, he has focused on attacking Trump, whose possible re-election would represent a rebuke of everything Obamaism stands for: optimism and an unwavering belief in the American dream. (It was also impressive to see how much Obama influenced the generation of Democratic leaders under him; in his remarks, Jon Ossoff, the 37-year-old senator from Georgia, mimicked Obama's tone, his distant gaze, his knowing half-smile and its call-and-response method.)

But the most impactful speaker of the night, and perhaps the entire Harris campaign so far, was entertainment mogul Tyler Perry. He connected with the crowd by telling his life story with raw, concrete anecdotes: hiding from his landlord, sleeping in his car or in an extended-stay hotel, and dealing with repo men. He spoke of his personal journey to find out the truth about Trump the charlatan, Trump the racist. He drew a clear line that ended with what a Harris presidency would mean for others like him. He also delivered the line of the year: “It was so important to me to stand with a candidate who understands that we as America – we are a blanket.” And I could never stand with a candidate who wants to that America will become one Sheet.” Perry's speech sounded like no other I've heard at campaign events in the last two years, and that's why it impressed me.

Tonight, Harris will host another major rally, this time in Houston, where she will be joined by a Houston native and one of the biggest stars in the world: Beyoncé. Tomorrow, Harris will travel to Michigan and campaign with one of her party's most popular figures, former first lady Michelle Obama. Harris may leave some of the most memorable and compelling closing arguments to her surrogates, and that may not matter to many voters. Ultimately, an overly cautious election campaign does not necessarily inspire confidence among those who are undecided. Harris' messages against Donald Trump have merit, but the ideas that penetrate the deepest are those that strike at the personal core – like the stories Perry told last night. With 11 days remaining, it's unclear whether Harris feels comfortable enough to pursue this route.

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Election anxiety tells you something

By Shayla Love

type Election anxiety If you type into Google, you'll find dozens of articles urging you to focus on aspects of life outside of politics, to spend less time watching the news, or to use relaxation techniques like breathing exercises to quell the negative feelings.

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