Democrats Brand Trump and Vance as "Weird" in New Political Strategy

[Social Media]

 

In a calculated political move, Vice President Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies have started to label Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, as "weird." This new criticism aims to highlight the unconventional and controversial remarks and actions of the Republican duo, particularly Vance's contentious comments on abortion and his assertion that political leaders without biological children lack a direct stake in the country.

 

This "weird" label has quickly gained traction in interviews and online discussions. The Democrats appear to have found a narrative advantage with this strategy, a clarity that was less pronounced when President Joe Biden was the focal point of the reelection campaign. Trump's campaign, which is adept at shaping political discourse through the former president's statements, has struggled to effectively counter this narrative.

 

David Karpf, a strategic communication professor at George Washington University, has praised the strategy, noting that calling Republican comments "weird" is a concise and resonant message that quickly engages Harris supporters. He pointed out that this approach also frustrates opponents, causing them to amplify the criticism through their responses. So far, the Trump-Vance campaign has been unable to mount an effective counterattack.

 

Harris and her allies have been consistent in their use of the "weird" label. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat on Harris' shortlist for vice president, recently called Trump and Vance "just weird" in an MSNBC interview. This characterization was later reiterated on CNN, where Walz referenced Trump’s frequent mentions of the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter in his speeches.

 

Following Trump’s appearance on Fox News, the Harris campaign released a statement titled "Statement on a 78-Year-Old Criminal’s Fox News Appearance," which included "Trump is old and quite weird?" as one of the key takeaways. The campaign has also described Vance’s stances on abortion and his comments about childless political leaders as "weird." Harris’ campaign spokesperson highlighted Vance's "out-of-touch, weird ideas."

 

Harris' allies, such as Senators Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, have also joined in, criticizing Vance's past remarks about limiting the political influence of childless Americans as a "super weird idea." At a recent fundraiser, Harris herself labeled some of Trump’s claims and Vance’s statements as "just plain weird," a sentiment that echoes past interactions where she reportedly planned to respond to Trump's looming presence in debates by calling out his behavior as weird.

 

The Democrats' "weird" narrative seems to be a direct response to Vance's 2021 comments, where he disparaged prominent childless Democrats, including Harris, as "childless cat ladies" with no direct stake in America. This label is not entirely new; Harris reportedly considered using the term to describe Trump’s behavior as far back as 2018.

 

In an effort to flip the script, Trump’s campaign has tried to redirect the "weird" label back at Harris and the Democrats. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung and Donald Trump Jr. have both highlighted Harris' policies and statements, trying to paint them as equally or more bizarre. Vance himself has criticized Harris’ comments on "climate anxiety" as "really weird stuff," attempting to shift the focus back on her.

 

Interestingly, Democrats seem to be co-opting Republican tactics to bolster Harris’ image. Republicans have long shared clips of Harris’ laugh and certain anecdotes to portray her as weird, including a story where her mother scolds her with the phrase, "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?" In response, Harris supporters have embraced coconut emojis in their online profiles, turning a potential negative into an in-joke among her base.

 

Matt Sienkiewicz, a communication professor at Boston College, suggests that calling Republicans "weird" might be a way for Democrats to appropriate the Republicans' own tactics against them. Jacob Neiheisel, a political communication professor at the University at Buffalo, likens this strategy to Senator John McCain’s 2008 attempt to portray Barack Obama as a celebrity with no substantial accomplishments. By using the "weird" label, Democrats might be trying to counteract long-standing efforts by the right to paint Harris in a similar light.

 

This strategic branding effort by the Harris campaign and her allies appears to be an effective way to undermine the Trump-Vance ticket by framing their comments and actions as out of touch with mainstream American values while also reinforcing the unity and resilience of the Democratic base. The new line of attack not only engages Harris' supporters but also keeps the Trump-Vance campaign on the defensive, struggling to find an effective response. This narrative may prove crucial as the election approaches, with both parties vying for control of the political discourse and the hearts and minds of American voters.

 

Credit: ABC News  2024-07-31

 

 

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[shdmn]

Fake news.  Not wierd.

 

 

Edited July 30 by shdmn

[Tug]

I’d say weird is light more like stark raving bonkers and not in a nice way 

[HappyExpat57]

I really have trouble understanding how 45 can say the sh!t he does on a daily basis and is not held accountable. He's been weird since day one.

 

On the other hand, Vance is a gift that will keep on giving up to the last day. It's been debunked that he had sex with a couch, but as John Oliver pointed out, it was credible that he could have had sex with a couch. He is the poster boy for weird.

[MisterPooFarty]

Judging by the look on trump's face in the first picture, he looks like has has just filled his nappy.

[gargamon]

1 hour ago, shdmn said:

Fake news.  Not wierd.

 

 

Is that really a blow up Trump doll that gives blow jobs? I wonder if the back door is open too.

[Chomper Higgot]

As I observed a couple of days back, Harris going back at Trump is a refreshing and positive change.

 

On top of the obviously well earned ‘weird’ tag for Trump and his shaky running ‘mate’, she’s also challenged Trump with ‘If you have something to say to me, say it to my face’.

 

Masterful.

 

Let’s have more please.

[Hanaguma]

I guess the Democrats are afraid to run on;  a/ their record or b/ Kamala's political beliefs. Otherwise, they would form a campaign around;

 

a/ mandatory firearm confiscation

b/ ending fracking and offshore drilling

c/ defunding the police

d/ ending private health insurance

e/ letting boys into girls' spaces and sports

f/ passing the Green Nude Eel

[Tug]

24 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

I guess the Democrats are afraid to run on;  a/ their record or b/ Kamala's political beliefs. Otherwise, they would form a campaign around;

 

a/ mandatory firearm confiscation

b/ ending fracking and offshore drilling

c/ defunding the police

d/ ending private health insurance

e/ letting boys into girls' spaces and sports

f/ passing the Green Nude Eel

Strange I haven’t seen this….i pay close attention to,I think perhaps you are conflating banning assault rifles as firearm confiscation?haven't heard about banning offshore drilling but loads of safety rules are fine with me!b$ on defunding the police remember Kamala is a for real DA and prosecutor not a bloviating criminal like the felon.health insurance should be paid with our taxes in my opinion like the rest of the civilized world.the boys and girls stuff is a dog whistle.your nude eel?are you talking about environmental issues and renewable energy?that’s a good thing not bad

[Hanaguma]

27 minutes ago, Tug said:

Strange I haven’t seen this….i pay close attention to,I think perhaps you are conflating banning assault rifles as firearm confiscation?haven't heard about banning offshore drilling but loads of safety rules are fine with me!b$ on defunding the police remember Kamala is a for real DA and prosecutor not a bloviating criminal like the felon.health insurance should be paid with our taxes in my opinion like the rest of the civilized world.the boys and girls stuff is a dog whistle.your nude eel?are you talking about environmental issues and renewable energy?that’s a good thing not bad

They are all Kamala's professed positions, as stated in many media interviews. The "gun buyback" is ridiculous, as the government didn't sell anyone their firearms in the first place. It is simple confiscation, with a little compensation thrown in.  She said in the 2020 debates she was in favor of ending fracking- goodbye energy jobs.  Ditto health insurance. I am with you, I think a national plan is a good thing. BUT... she also wants to ban private insurance for people who want to buy it.  These are rather freedom hating positions. 

[300sd]

I'd say this was weird but that's just me:

 

"Kamala Harris Advocates for Taxpayer Funded Gender Reassignment Surgeries for Transgender Inmates."

 

One can watch and listen to her say that while being interviewed by a transgender.

[Eric Loh]

Democrats should consider using Fred Trump labelling of uncle Trump as 'atomic crazy'. That's another level of craziness. 

[herfiehandbag]

3 hours ago, gargamon said:

Is that really a blow up Trump doll that gives blow jobs? I wonder if the back door is open too.

I would really, really, really rather not think about that!

[herfiehandbag]

Hannibal Lector as a fine man, sharks circling battery powered boats (or maybe it was the other way around); whatever gave you the idea that he was remotely weird?

[Celsius]

4 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I really have trouble understanding how 45 can say the sh!t he does on a daily basis and is not held accountable. He's been weird since day one.

 

On the other hand, Vance is a gift that will keep on giving up to the last day. It's been debunked that he had sex with a couch, but as John Oliver pointed out, it was credible that he could have had sex with a couch. He is the poster boy for weird.

 

It is also credible that Biden (both of them) could have had sex with children.

 

Which one is woese? 

Edited July 31 by Celsius

[gargamon]

5 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

I would really, really, really rather not think about that!

Yes, it's one of those things you really  cant unsee unthink.

[novacova]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Vice President Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies have started to label Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, as "weird."

A weird new strategy of the left, calling their opponents weird is their only policy? Absolutely brilliant!

[Mazungu]

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Democrats should consider using Fred Trump labelling of uncle Trump as 'atomic crazy'. That's another level of craziness. 

I agree. And Trump is a horrible horrible person. Who says disabled people should just die? 

 

 

[thaipo7]

4 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

I guess the Democrats are afraid to run on;  a/ their record or b/ Kamala's political beliefs. Otherwise, they would form a campaign around;

 

a/ mandatory firearm confiscation

b/ ending fracking and offshore drilling

c/ defunding the police

d/ ending private health insurance

e/ letting boys into girls' spaces and sports

f/ passing the Green Nude Eel

They have no record.  Tug can not give us a clue how they on open border, breaking Constitution laws, high inflation, screwing Israel while at the same time rewarding Hamas and now Hezbollah, ignoring the Supreme Court on paying off school loans,  100s of fiats to run the government, the constant lying, involved in other criminal activities, and the list goes on and on.  This could not be done without the complete ass kissing media.  All started with Obama and his "Transformation."

[Presto]

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

It is also credible that Biden (both of them) could have had sex with children.

 

Which one is woese? 

I guess you wouldn't have a problem coming up with a source for your allegations? A credible source?

[Walker88]

Weird? Naw, like really stable genius. Way ahead of his time.

 

I mean, nuking hurricanes and injecting disinfectant to cure Covid are next level stuff. Nobel Prize kind of cutting edge thinking.

 

And the man is just a walking poster boy for mercy. If only gods were as merciful! I mean, the guy is willing to forgive folks who stormed the Capitol, set up gallows to hang the VP, beat and bear sprayed 140 cops....all honest mistakes and minor acts that should be pardoned in Magastan.

 

On the other hand, people who criticize him, such as folks on MSNBC or Democrats or the former DCI, DirFBI, former officials in his Administration, etc., DESERVE prosecution and punishment. Do it the way the guy who exchanged love letters with the felon---Kim Jong-un---does it. Those who don't clap like trained seals ought to be executed.

 

As Hunter Thompson said, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."

[earlinclaifornia]

4 hours ago, 300sd said:

I'd say this was weird but that's just me:

 

"Kamala Harris Advocates for Taxpayer Funded Gender Reassignment Surgeries for Transgender Inmates."

 

One can watch and listen to her say that while being interviewed by a transgender.

Vance former transgendered friend interview.

JD Vance, the friend who was at Nelson's bedside with homemade baked goods after they went through a gender-transition-related surgery, the friend who called Donald Trump a racist and a, quote, "morally reprehensible human being."

 

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/30/nx-s1-5056232/j-d-vance-is-unrecognizable-to-his-former-friend

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Sofia Nelson, a former close friend of vice presidential hopeful J.D. Vance, about how he's changed from the person she knew for more than a decade.

 

[cdemundo]

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

It is also credible that Biden (both of them) could have had sex with children.

 

Which one is woese? 

Great argument.

So don't vote for either Biden in November.

 

[Yagoda]

Just now, Presto said:

I guess you wouldn't have a problem coming up with a source for your allegations? A credible source?

Well he did shower with his daughter, prepubescent girl. In a shower people are naked. Therefore, a grown man was naked next to a prepubescent girl in a very small area. So speculation that he was jamming his own kid would be appropriate don't you think?

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I really have trouble understanding how 45 can say the sh!t he does on a daily basis and is not held accountable. He's been weird since day one.

 

On the other hand, Vance is a gift that will keep on giving up to the last day. It's been debunked that he had sex with a couch, but as John Oliver pointed out, it was credible that he could have had sex with a couch. He is the poster boy for weird.

Yeah the poster boy for weird is a best-selling author, Yale grad,  a marine veteran, combat too I think and a US senator from the state of ohio. I'll wait for all the norms to show up at the awards ceremony, like the nuclear waste dragdude that loves luggage and Hunter Biden

 

 

[earlinclaifornia]

Read up on Vance and discover a new definition of dysfuctional family 

Wierd will truely make a believer more clear.

Edited July 31 by earlinclaifornia

[mokwit]

5 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

I guess the Democrats are afraid to run on;  a/ their record or b/ Kamala's political beliefs. Otherwise, they would form a campaign around;

 

a/ mandatory firearm confiscation

b/ ending fracking and offshore drilling

c/ defunding the police

d/ ending private health insurance

e/ letting boys into girls' spaces and sports

f/ passing the Green Nude Eel

Endorsing Antifa riots/arson.

[earlinclaifornia]

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Yeah the poster boy for weird is a best-selling author, Yale grad,  a marine veteran, combat too I think and a US senator from the state of ohio. I'll wait for all the norms to show up at the awards ceremony, like the nuclear waste dragdude that loves luggage and Hunter Biden

 

 

Yeath that combat in public relations was truely dangerouse: lol

 

 

He was part of the Public Affairs section of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and said that his service "taught me how to live like an adult" and that he was "lucky to escape any real fighting". 

[Yagoda]

Just now, mokwit said:

Endorsing Antifa riots/arson.

And she's weird besides

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13691827/DNC-staffer-harris-team-filmed-undercover-interview.html

[Yagoda]

Just now, earlinclaifornia said:

Yeath that combat in public relations was truely dangerouse: lol

 

 

He was part of the Public Affairs section of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and said that his service "taught me how to live like an adult" and that he was "lucky to escape any real fighting". 

I'm sure you served in combat