Something is wrong with this split-screen picture. On one side, former president Donald Trump rants about mass deportations and claims to have stopped “wars with France,” after being described by his longest-serving White House chief of staff as a literal fascist. On the other side, commentators debate whether Vice President Kamala Harris performed well enough at a CNN town hall to “close the deal.”

Let’s review: First, Harris was criticized for not doing enough interviews — so she did multiple interviews, including with nontraditional media. She was criticized for not doing hostile interviews — so she went toe to toe with Bret Baier of Fox News. She was criticized as being comfortable only at scripted rallies — so she did unscripted events, such as the town hall on Wednesday. Along the way, she wiped the floor with Trump during their one televised debate.

Trump, meanwhile, stands before his MAGA crowds and spews nonstop lies, ominous threats, impossible promises and utter gibberish. His rhetoric is dismissed, or looked past, without first being interrogated.

  • orclev@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    A lot of people are answering undecided on polls in protest over Harris support for the Israeli genocide but intend to actually vote for her due to the significantly worse threat posed by Trump. She could massively improve her polling numbers by just committing to stopping arms shipments to Israel and imposing sanctions on them.

    • SolNine@lemmy.ml
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      9 hours ago

      This is highly unlikely to cause a statistically significant difference in the polls. Having this strong of a view point on the matter is largely isolated to a specific demographic of younger, progressive voters, who are notoriously difficult to reach and accurately account for via traditional polling methods.

      It registers as the 15th most important issue via a Gallup poll, and that doesn’t account for which “side” the individuals polled support.

      Of the 30% of the population saying it is an “extremely important issue,” it gives no indication of what their desired resolution is.

      On the extreme end of the spectrum, consider that 30% of our nation is in a death cult that believes Israel plays a role in their eventual salvation, not to mention how many people are blatantly racist and view anyone with darker skin as a terrorist.

      I am registered, politically active, not difficult to locate and have had the same phone number for 20 years, yet, I MIGHT have been polled once in that time!

      This isn’t to say there aren’t those who are doing as they say, but it is not likely to move polls one way or another.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      11 hours ago

      That’s actually a pretty idiotic way to “protest.”

      Wow, we’ve got inaccurate polls. Good job?

      • orclev@lemmy.world
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        11 hours ago

        Well, the poll is accurate in so much as they really don’t “support” Harris and her policies. If we had a proportional voting system they would be voting for her near the middle of the pack with Trump of course in dead last. She’s just the second worst choice between the two choices we’re given.

        • MegaUltraChicken@lemmy.world
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          4 hours ago

          She’s just the second worst choice between the two choices we’re given.

          “Best choice”. Seems way easier to say.

    • Nougat@fedia.io
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      10 hours ago

      Arms deals to Israel are codified into law. President can’t just “stop” them.

      Talk to Congress.