What's happened
In response to John Kelly's comments labeling Trump as a fascist, Kamala Harris's campaign is shifting its messaging strategy. A recent email from Future Forward suggests focusing on Harris's policies rather than negative character attacks on Trump, which have proven less effective in influencing voter choice.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The New York Times, Future Forward's email stated, "Attacking Trump’s Fascism Is Not That Persuasive," suggesting a pivot towards more effective messaging. Chauncey McLean, president of Future Forward, noted, "This is just one of our regular emails sharing testing results... It shows people that the most effective way of using Trump’s words and behavior is tying them to consequences in voters’ lives." Meanwhile, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, Harris's campaign chair, emphasized the impact of voices like John Kelly's, stating, "The American people are not comfortable with that." The Independent echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Harris's campaign is now focusing on her economic agenda rather than solely attacking Trump’s character.
How we got here
The Harris campaign has faced challenges in effectively countering Trump's influence. Recent comments from former Chief of Staff John Kelly have prompted a reevaluation of messaging strategies, emphasizing the need for a more policy-focused approach.
Common question
More on these topics
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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John Francis Kelly is a retired U.S. Marine Corps general who served as the White House Chief of Staff for President Donald Trump from July 31, 2017 to January 2, 2019.
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MSNBC is an American news-based pay television cable channel, owned by the NBCUniversal Worldwide News Group division of NBCUniversal. It provides NBC News coverage as well as its own reporting and political commentary on current events.