Leadership Now Project’s Post

The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, marking a pivotal moment in the election cycle just eight weeks before Election Day. This debate followed a contentious lead-up marked by disputes over debate rules, initially set before Harris became the nominee. Vice President Harris, the first woman of color to lead a presidential ticket, presented a fresh dynamic against Trump, 78, following President Biden’s withdrawal from the race after a lackluster debate performance. Throughout the debate, Harris effectively put Trump on the defensive, particularly highlighting his criminal convictions and challenging his economic and immigration policies. Trump, in turn, criticized the Biden-Harris administration on these same fronts, at times diverging into unsubstantiated claims, such as suggesting Haitian migrants were harming pets in the U.S., a claim lacking evidence but echoing his running mate, Sen. JD Vance's rhetoric. Trump’s attacks focused on positioning Harris as a continuation of Biden’s policies, while Harris emphasized her distinct vision for uplifting the middle class and criticized Trump’s tariff proposals as a burden on working Americans. The debate was notable for its contrast in demeanor compared to previous encounters; while it began with civility, including a handshake, the exchanges grew increasingly heated. Trump’s reluctance to commit to further debates highlighted the uncertainty in his campaign's strategy, especially as some Republicans expressed concerns about his performance. Despite the combative exchanges, neither candidate appeared to decisively shift the trajectory of the race, which remains tightly contested according to recent polls. Key issues included immigration, where Trump painted a grim picture of border chaos and blamed the current administration for alleged failures, and healthcare, where Trump struggled to present a concrete alternative to the Affordable Care Act. On social issues, Harris reinforced her commitment to reinstating Roe v. Wade protections, contrasting sharply with Trump’s evasive stance on a national abortion ban. The debate also delved into foreign policy, where Harris accused Trump of being weak on national security and too aligned with authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin. A significant endorsement for Harris came from Taylor Swift, whose public support energize younger voters. As both campaigns navigate the path forward, the vice presidential debate between Sen. Vance and Democratic nominee Tim Walz on October 1 will be another key moment. Meanwhile, the potential for further debates between Harris and Trump remains in question, adding another layer of strategic complexity as both candidates vie for the presidency. #HarrisTrumpDebate #Election2024 #KamalaHarris #DonaldTrump #PresidentialDebate #Politics #PhiladelphiaDebate #Vote2024 https://shorturl.at/bzqds

I have nothing more to add to today’s Wake Up To Politics newsletter on why the quest for a “third party” has core flaws. Read the whole thing at the link below. LINK: https://lnkd.in/etmCTtZn —- “It’s often cited, by groups promoting third parties and by others, that somewhere around 40% of Americans consider themselves political independents. But you have to look at the finer details, like this 2019 Pew poll does, if you take away Independents who say they “lean” towards one party or the other, its original number of 38% Independents — more than either party! — drops down to a mere 7%… If you’re wondering how predictably partisan these “lean” Independents are, the answer is “very.” In 2012, for instance, political scientist Alan Abramowitz calculated that 87% of Democratic-leaning Independents voted for Barack Obama, while 86% of Republican-leaning Independents voted for Mitt Romney, using data from the well-respected American National Election Study. 78% of the Democratic-Independents voted a straight Democratic ticket that year; 72% of the Republican-Independents voted a straight Republican ticket. … Absent major reforms to our electoral system, the kind that would allow us to break out of the confines of Duverger’s Law, a viable third party is simply not possible in the U.S. The reform must precede the candidacy, not vice versa, as No Labels has now learned. …the biggest step that needs to be taken to produce public policy that mimics U.S. public opinion is not the explicit creation of a new party, or a unity fusion ticket. It’s changing the rules and norms in Congress (the physics!) that prevent lawmakers…from working together to pass bills they agree on, as they might be able to in parliamentary system, because our umbrella parties are so rigid and often prevent such cooperation.” ——- LINK: https://lnkd.in/etmCTtZn

After the Trump-Harris debate (i.e., trainwreck) on September 10, 2024, many media networks wrote stories about how Harris won the debate. I read very few stories/opinions about how America, Americans, and other countries would be better off with policies that either Trump or Harris clarified in the debate. Neither of them fully explained how their vision, policies, or implementation would reduce chaos in the world or at least reduce anxiety about the economy, security, and other issues that affect greater than 70% of Americans. One opinion that I read did partially capture my feelings about the debate and the 2024 Presidential election. The headline "Trump lost the debate – but America may come to regret it" ( https://lnkd.in/gqKqg3V2 ) by Jake Wallis Simons sums up his opinion. My opinion could be summed up with "Trump Fired in 2020: Fire Political Parties in 2024" like was done 200 years earlier. In 1824 America survived a similar divided electorate when the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams instead of General Andrew Jackson, when neither candidate won enough electoral college electors to be president. Ironically, the 1824 election was the demise of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican Parties, and conception/birth of separate Republican and Democratic parties ( https://lnkd.in/giJFxcKp ) . Unfortunately, the 1824 election did not inspire reforming election, ethics, slander/libel, education, etc. laws to prevent partisan politicians from polarizing the issue of slavery and dividing Americans during the 1800's. Voters should fire politicians who serve their and their party's interest instead of representing, serving, and protecting at least 70% of their constituents. It is easy to spot which candidates to fire. It is far more difficult for voters to overcome their apathy or fear, and organize to fire candidates, who polarize issues to divide Americans instead of describing how they will help Americans. Although it is too late to choose a different Republican or Democrat for President, there is time for voters to register, and submit write-in ballots or select other candidates on ballots for President. The bottom line is that America in 1824 survived an electoral crisis when no candidate won an electoral college majority. Maybe this time Americans will unite to pressure politicians to reform laws to discourage politicians from polarizing issues and vilifying candidates or their supporters. Politicians will start representing, serving, and protecting more than 70% of Americans, when registered voters overcome their apathy or fear to vote to throw the bums out and become more politically active in the legislative process after elections. Also, Americans should fire media networks who write partisan propaganda instead of balanced journalistic news stories.

Biden steps aside. What now? Minutes ago, Biden announced in a letter to the American people that he is stepping aside from the Democratic presidential nomination and, therefore, from the presidential race. The letter lacked real emotion, focusing more on his achievements than on the reasons or explanations for his decision (he will address the Nation later this week). Now, Democrats face a reality that most Americans and the world already recognized—Biden was not suited to continue in office. They are confronted with a complex situation unprecedented in their history. On one hand, there is a Vice President with little to no engagement, and on the other, there is no viable alternative candidate with the name recognition or brand that could balance the chances of winning against the Republicans. These are, indeed, very interesting times to be living in the U.S. For more on how Democrats will select a new candidate, The Washington Post has an in-depth article on it https://wapo.st/4bYeacN. I also recommend following Mark Strand for his political situation analysis and signing up for his weekly newsletter, "Politics and Sausage Making." https://lnkd.in/dKrQ8mtf #Biden #Politics #Democrats #WashingtonDC

On the eve of Election Day, over 50 business leaders, CEOs, and associations—including several Leadership Now members, Mark Cuban, Ken Frazier, Roz Brewer, Reid Hoffman, Business Roundtable, and the National Association of Manufacturers—have come together through the Business and Democracy Initiative to call for a safe and accessible election process. As leaders from industries nationwide, they’re urging officials and candidates to respect the electoral process and ensure that every vote is counted. "The critical issues for business leaders this election are ensuring the legitimacy of elections, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding national security. As we approach Election Day, business leaders are uniquely positioned to urge patience and reinforce trust in election administrators. Business leaders are unified in their support for the legitimacy of the election process and the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.” - Leadership Now Project CEO Daniella Ballou-Aares Read the statement to see what national, state, and economic leaders are saying about the importance of protecting the election: https://lnkd.in/gX8CdHSU Public Private Strategies Black Economic Alliance Douglas Pinkham John Fees John Pleasants Adam Goodman Ron Miller Lisa Stoner Patrick McGinnis Richard A. Stoff Anoop Prakash

The Trump-Harris presidential debate sparked intense discussions across the political landscape. Observers have weighed in, and opinions are divided on the key moments and who came out on top. As we move closer to the election, it’s clear that debates like these play a crucial role in shaping public perception and policy priorities. Staying informed and engaged is more important than ever. To know more, check out the full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/dGGKuqj4. #PresidentialDebate #Politics #Leadership #2024Election

A pivotal moment in the Republican National Committee's decision-making processes. Tap for details. 👇 #donaldtrump #rnc #urbananews #trump #usa #republican #america #republicannationalcommittee #politics #democracy #newsupdate #people #Media #Research #Info #Breakingnews #Update #information #Industry #Dailynews #Press #Newsletter #Advertisement #Instanews

At the gift link you'll find an important piece by Jamelle Bouie for those of us in the nonpartisan pro-democracy sector as we face up to how the US elections will affect our movement toward democracy. I often hear that we should stop talking about "democracy," since it's reported that many right-leaning folks no longer like this word (or see it as "left-coded"), and that we should talk about "constitutional republicanism" instead. But we have to remember that "constitutionalism" is not the same as "democracy." We have to ask ourselves which is our aim. Is "constitutionalism," and the most cramped reading of the formal outlines of our governance at that, really the destination we hoped to reach? What sort of society are we aiming to be? As Bouie reminds us: "We were not given a democratic Constitution; we made one. We unraveled the elitist and hierarchical Constitution of the founders to build something that works for us — that conforms to our expectations." He goes on to say, "But nothing is permanent. What’s made can be unmade. And at the foundation of his campaign is a promise, from Donald Trump, to unmake our democratic Constitution." In his first term, Trump and his political movement, did much to unmake our aspiring democracy. In a second term he vows to complete that unmaking: "Free of the guardrails that kept him in place the first time, affirmed by the Supreme Court and backed by allies and apparatchiks in the conservative movement, Trump will merge the office of the presidency with himself. He will shake it from its moorings in the Constitution and rebuild it as an instrument of his will, wielded for his friends and against his enemies. In doing so, he will erode the democratic assumptions that undergird our current constitutional order. And he will have the total loyalty of a Republican Party that itself is twisting and abusing the counter-majoritarian features of the American system to undermine and unravel democracy in the states it controls." I wish I could say that with this election, we'll find out that the American electorate think about this proposition, whether we should merge the office of the presidency with the interests of one man, whether we should restrict our notion of our freedoms to what a minority of Americans think those freedoms should be, and whether we should abandon our notion of inclusive democracy for a fixation on constitutionalism that is confined to what that minority of Americans think our Constitution should mean. However, the inability of our political discourse, especially our political press, to speak clearly and honestly about these issues has made it hard to say this is the referendum on our attempt at democracy that it so clearly appears to be. Here's hoping that enough of us show up to support our continued movement toward a true democracy! https://lnkd.in/e9sTK_ZU

This is an important message to All Americans and the #workingclass around the globe, concerned with US Policy and #democracy! It is a must read in order to understand a piece of the puzzle of how our government remains illogically dominated by the #TwoPartySystem from Presidential Candidate #JillStein. #JillStein2024 and the #GreenParty failed to get #BallotAccess in #newyorkstate, despite being the only #grassroots, US Presidential campaign to get anywhere close. The #newyorkballot has become far more demanding and restrictive for #thirdparty and #independent candidates since 2020. ( Here's a link to explain some of the more restrictive #BallotLaws in #USStates - https://lnkd.in/exrAcckT ) This highlights the utter corruption of the #TwoParties, and as #ThirdParties and #IndependentCandidates gain steam and popularity in different ways in different elections, more of these laws will surface if we don't speak out and fight them and call for reform of those undemocratic laws already passed to keep the people's choices out! The #CommissionOnPresidentialDebates / #COPD has made it impossible to overcome the near hurdles of #PollQualification via #CorporateMediaPolls, where most polls where the questions are biased IF and When Third Party candidates are even included in the Mainstream Media Polls. The #DNC / #DemocraticParty and #RNC / #RepublicanParty at every level of government, find ways to block candidates from getting on the ballot for #elections, and this must end. This "defeat" in New York is beyond #Antidemocratic, despite the claim that the Democrats are the #PartyOfDemocracy. And it will not stop the USA Green Party! They are the only Third Party Challenger who has the apparatus and support and can challenge the two party nightmare we see before us. Keep in mind, that the United States Green Party Already has enough ballot access across the country to win the presidential election, and will be the only challenger with both people-driven and much needed policies And Ballot Access to win, and who does not take corporate, billionaire dollars! #RFKJr is in bed with big money, like the Thug Two Parties. Spread the word, educate others, learn more about this fight, and get involved and #FightForDemocracy! Below is a great article and proposal for how we reform The Commission on Presidential Debates and let the people run our elections, not the Duopoly! https://lnkd.in/ePJ_ucC4 https://lnkd.in/eh-tKHr8

President Biden's State of the Union address is positioned at a critical juncture, as he aims to solidify support and articulate his administration's achievements and future plans in a highly anticipated speech. This address is Biden's prime opportunity to reach out to his largest television audience before the Democratic convention, making it a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. With Donald Trump now unopposed for the Republican presidential nomination, Biden's speech is set against a backdrop of intense political rivalry. The address provides Biden with a prime-time stage to present a stark contrast between his policy vision and Trump's, addressing key issues like healthcare costs, taxation, and abortion rights, which resonate deeply with the electorate. However, Biden's task is compounded by skepticism regarding his age and capacity to serve another term, especially in light of recent polls and concerns over his health. This adds an additional layer of scrutiny to his performance, with the public not only weighing his policies but also gauging his vigor and clarity, which could influence perceptions of his suitability for re-election. Economic issues are expected to feature prominently in Biden's speech, with an emphasis on showcasing progress, such as the reduction in inflation rates and steps to alleviate consumer burdens, like cutting credit card late fees. These points aim to illustrate the administration's commitment to improving everyday life for Americans, aligning with the broader Democratic strategy to win voter confidence on economic stewardship. On foreign policy, Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and immigration, particularly at the U.S.-Mexico border, will be under the spotlight. His approach to these sensitive issues could sway public opinion, especially among key voter segments and within his own party, where there's a push for more assertive actions on international human rights and immigration reform. Biden's address is an opportunity to rally his base, address bipartisan concerns, and respond to Republican critiques, all while setting the tone for the upcoming electoral campaign. The presence of significant guests, like Kate Cox and the parents of Evan Gershkovich, adds a human element to the policy discussions, emphasizing the real-world impacts of governmental decisions. Biden's State of the Union is a strategic moment to influence the national dialogue, sway undecided voters, and solidify his standing both within the Democratic Party and across the broader American electorate. #BidenSOTU #Election2024 #USPolitics #BidenVsTrump #HealthcareReform #EconomicProgress #ForeignPolicy #ImmigrationReform #VotersChoice #PoliticalStrategy #PresidentialElection #AmericanDemocracy #BidenAgenda #PolicyImpact #VoterEngagement #NationalDialogue https://lnkd.in/eBYChTNc