Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch Just Live weekdays at noon Eastern on Appo, CarPlay and then Roun Auto with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube.

Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch Just Live weekdays at noon Eastern on Appo, CarPlay and then Roun Auto with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube.

It's just about ten weeks to go until the election. Two weeks to go until we're supposed to see a presidential debate take place on ABC.

It's just about ten weeks to go until the election. Two weeks to go until we're supposed to see a presidential debate take place on ABC.

That's on September tenth.

That's on September tenth.

And of course these weeks are sure to fly by because just to give you a sense of how quickly time is moving in this election cycle, it was five weeks ago that Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid, exiting the presidential race, making way for Kamala Harris, who, within those last five weeks her campaign says, has now raised over half a billion dollars four hundred, five hundred and forty million dollars to be exact, raised by her campaign and affiliated super pac. Eighty two million of that was raised at the DNC in Chicago last week. So it is a money race here that we are paying attention to and always with an eye on. It is Bloomberg's Gregory Cordy, who covered the White House in politics for US and is joining me now in studio here in Washington. So Gregory, of course, cash advantage is a big thing in the presidential campaign. We've seen Biden during the course of his now ended campaign out raising Trump and Trump outraising Biden.

And of course these weeks are sure to fly by because just to give you a sense of how quickly time is moving in this election cycle, it was five weeks ago that Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid, exiting the presidential race, making way for Kamala Harris, who, within those last five weeks her campaign says, has now raised over half a billion dollars four hundred, five hundred and forty million dollars to be exact, raised by her campaign and affiliated super pac. Eighty two million of that was raised at the DNC in Chicago last week. So it is a money race here that we are paying attention to and always with an eye on. It is Bloomberg's Gregory Cordy, who covered the White House in politics for US and is joining me now in studio here in Washington. So Gregory, of course, cash advantage is a big thing in the presidential campaign. We've seen Biden during the course of his now ended campaign out raising Trump and Trump outraising Biden.

It does feel like things have flip flopped a lot.

It does feel like things have flip flopped a lot.

But with the kind of frenetic pace of fundraising we have seen so far from the Harris campaign, is it going to be possible for Donald Trump to reach a cash advantage once again?

But with the kind of frenetic pace of fundraising we have seen so far from the Harris campaign, is it going to be possible for Donald Trump to reach a cash advantage once again?

Yeah, I'm glad you set up that context because that's exactly what I was going to bring to this. So the question that you asked, now, where do we go from here? And I think that's an open question. Look, both of these campaigns, it's part of the modern political presidential campaign game to seize on a moment. And one way to quantify how big a moment is is to talk about your small dollar fundraising. So when Trump was leading in the fundraising, it was because he was being indicted or convicted and people rallied around him. President Biden had a big fundraising a week after his State of the Union address. And here we have Kamala Harris being the new fresh face in this race. Right, she enters the race, she gets a bounce, she continues to get that bounced through the convention. As you said, more than half a billion dollars in just one month. I mean, let's just wrap our heads around how astronomical that is. A few months ago, if a candidate had, you know, one hundred million, one hundred and fifty million, we would think of that as a big month. So this is huge. And what the Harris campaign would point to is the first time donors, because those donors suggest room to grow. They're not at the thirty three hundred dollars person limit. Presumably these are often fifty dollars, So maybe they'll give fifty dollars a yen next month, and and again, and so these are encouraging numbers for the Harris campaign. The question is, can Trump find some moment for him to rally around And it could be the debate, it could be some other moment, some October surprise that we haven't quite We don't know yet, but that's certainly going to be the game for both these candidates.

Yeah, I'm glad you set up that context because that's exactly what I was going to bring to this. So the question that you asked, now, where do we go from here? And I think that's an open question. Look, both of these campaigns, it's part of the modern political presidential campaign game to seize on a moment. And one way to quantify how big a moment is is to talk about your small dollar fundraising. So when Trump was leading in the fundraising, it was because he was being indicted or convicted and people rallied around him. President Biden had a big fundraising a week after his State of the Union address. And here we have Kamala Harris being the new fresh face in this race. Right, she enters the race, she gets a bounce, she continues to get that bounced through the convention. As you said, more than half a billion dollars in just one month. I mean, let's just wrap our heads around how astronomical that is. A few months ago, if a candidate had, you know, one hundred million, one hundred and fifty million, we would think of that as a big month. So this is huge. And what the Harris campaign would point to is the first time donors, because those donors suggest room to grow. They're not at the thirty three hundred dollars person limit. Presumably these are often fifty dollars, So maybe they'll give fifty dollars a yen next month, and and again, and so these are encouraging numbers for the Harris campaign. The question is, can Trump find some moment for him to rally around And it could be the debate, it could be some other moment, some October surprise that we haven't quite We don't know yet, but that's certainly going to be the game for both these candidates.

Well, I'm glad you point out that the campaign did emphasize that about a third of these donors of the five hundred and forty million dollars were first timers. They also said two thirds were women. Gregory and I wonder how telling that is when we've been talking about the battle for women, specifically in the suburbs, and how pivotal they could be and ultimately deciding which way this election goes.

Well, I'm glad you point out that the campaign did emphasize that about a third of these donors of the five hundred and forty million dollars were first timers. They also said two thirds were women. Gregory and I wonder how telling that is when we've been talking about the battle for women, specifically in the suburbs, and how pivotal they could be and ultimately deciding which way this election goes.

That is remarkable. I've been doing this long enough that a few decades ago, when you would see a campaign contribution, it would often been be done in the husband's name, but they would both of them would contribute as sort of a household. Now we're seeing women donate in their own names, and very often you might see the husband donate into one party and the wife donating to the other party and canceling each other out. It is remarkable and it demonstrates how big this gender gap is growing. Even before Kamala Harris got into the race, we were seeing a growing divide between men and women in America that has been growing for decades, but really Donald Trump has accelerated it. Now Kamala Harris is in the race and obviously talking about a lot of women's issues. She's talking about reproductive rights, but she's also talking about childcare. She's talking about things that will appeal to that holy grail of swing voter, the suburban woman.

That is remarkable. I've been doing this long enough that a few decades ago, when you would see a campaign contribution, it would often been be done in the husband's name, but they would both of them would contribute as sort of a household. Now we're seeing women donate in their own names, and very often you might see the husband donate into one party and the wife donating to the other party and canceling each other out. It is remarkable and it demonstrates how big this gender gap is growing. Even before Kamala Harris got into the race, we were seeing a growing divide between men and women in America that has been growing for decades, but really Donald Trump has accelerated it. Now Kamala Harris is in the race and obviously talking about a lot of women's issues. She's talking about reproductive rights, but she's also talking about childcare. She's talking about things that will appeal to that holy grail of swing voter, the suburban woman.

Well, and of course she's not just talking about it on stage, as we saw her do in Chicago or in her various campaign appearances. She's also taking a lot of that messaging to the airwaves, which raises the question, Gregory, about it's one thing to raise all the money, it's another thing to spend it. And the pace of spending matters here as well. Right, we have seen this campaign, and Biden's campaign before this, shelling out more cash than Donald Trump's was or it is now.

Well, and of course she's not just talking about it on stage, as we saw her do in Chicago or in her various campaign appearances. She's also taking a lot of that messaging to the airwaves, which raises the question, Gregory, about it's one thing to raise all the money, it's another thing to spend it. And the pace of spending matters here as well. Right, we have seen this campaign, and Biden's campaign before this, shelling out more cash than Donald Trump's was or it is now.

Yeah, And the feeling when it was Biden's spending that money is that he needed to make up some ground, and soon he left Kamala Harris with about a ninety two million dollar war chest. She's obviously built and expanded upon that. But the candidate dollars, For as much as we talk about superpacks, the candidate dollars are so valuable because under Federal Election Commission and Federal Communication Commission rules, the TV stations have to give the lowest best deal to the candidate campaigns. They get the time blocked off for them first, and so those dollars go a lot further. Super PACs can do a lot in terms of filling in the gaps, but it's really these campaign dollars that go the furthest What we are going to see though, in a lot of these swing states, especially Pennsylvania, where the lion's share of the money is being spent right now, is you might get to the part where there's just no ad inventory on broadcast stations.

Yeah, And the feeling when it was Biden's spending that money is that he needed to make up some ground, and soon he left Kamala Harris with about a ninety two million dollar war chest. She's obviously built and expanded upon that. But the candidate dollars, For as much as we talk about superpacks, the candidate dollars are so valuable because under Federal Election Commission and Federal Communication Commission rules, the TV stations have to give the lowest best deal to the candidate campaigns. They get the time blocked off for them first, and so those dollars go a lot further. Super PACs can do a lot in terms of filling in the gaps, but it's really these campaign dollars that go the furthest What we are going to see though, in a lot of these swing states, especially Pennsylvania, where the lion's share of the money is being spent right now, is you might get to the part where there's just no ad inventory on broadcast stations.

To it's all bought up.

To it's all bought up.

If you're a mattress store or a car dealer in Pennsylvania, you may just take the month of October off because you you may not be able to buy an ad. That the airwaves are going to be so saturated with political ads, I'm already hearing it. I stopped by the Pennsylvania delegation at the Democratic Convention last week and they are already just inundated back to back to back.

If you're a mattress store or a car dealer in Pennsylvania, you may just take the month of October off because you you may not be able to buy an ad. That the airwaves are going to be so saturated with political ads, I'm already hearing it. I stopped by the Pennsylvania delegation at the Democratic Convention last week and they are already just inundated back to back to back.

Ads well on a subject of as it calls to mind. During the Super Bowl, we saw a few political ads as well. One of them that perhaps got the most attention was from RFK Junior campaign that now is put on pause.

Ads well on a subject of as it calls to mind. During the Super Bowl, we saw a few political ads as well. One of them that perhaps got the most attention was from RFK Junior campaign that now is put on pause.

He dropped out or not?

He dropped out or not?

I Guess officially dropped out but suspended his campaign on Friday, endorsed former President Trump. Do we have a sense yet of what real difference that's likely to make where the people who were suggesting in polls were going to vote for him go Now there's.

I Guess officially dropped out but suspended his campaign on Friday, endorsed former President Trump. Do we have a sense yet of what real difference that's likely to make where the people who were suggesting in polls were going to vote for him go Now there's.

A Republican answer to this question. There's a democratic answer this question. I'll give you my answer to this question.

A Republican answer to this question. There's a democratic answer this question. I'll give you my answer to this question.

That's the one, which is.

That's the one, which is.

That I don't know that it makes a whole lot of difference. What we saw before he dropped out was that he was taking roughly equally from Republicans and Democrats. The Republicans will point to some numbers that he was taking a little bit more from Trump maybe, and so this this advantages him, but that was all within the margin of error. But also keep in mind that a good number of Kennedy supporters, maybe forty percent, were people who said they wouldn't show up to vote if it were just Trump versus Harris. These were a lot of double haters, and they were double haters for a reason. So the big question is going to be, just because RFK endorses Trump, will his followers go with him to Trump? And that's something we're just gonna have to watch in the polls for the next few weeks. But keep in mind, you know, Kennedy had started with maybe at he topped out it maybe fifteen percent. Some poles had him as high as twenty. By the time he dropped out, he was under five percent. So we're not talking about a huge voting block in some of these swing states. It could make a difference, and that's why I think he made the decision he did.

That I don't know that it makes a whole lot of difference. What we saw before he dropped out was that he was taking roughly equally from Republicans and Democrats. The Republicans will point to some numbers that he was taking a little bit more from Trump maybe, and so this this advantages him, but that was all within the margin of error. But also keep in mind that a good number of Kennedy supporters, maybe forty percent, were people who said they wouldn't show up to vote if it were just Trump versus Harris. These were a lot of double haters, and they were double haters for a reason. So the big question is going to be, just because RFK endorses Trump, will his followers go with him to Trump? And that's something we're just gonna have to watch in the polls for the next few weeks. But keep in mind, you know, Kennedy had started with maybe at he topped out it maybe fifteen percent. Some poles had him as high as twenty. By the time he dropped out, he was under five percent. So we're not talking about a huge voting block in some of these swing states. It could make a difference, and that's why I think he made the decision he did.

All right, Bloomberg White House and Politics reporter Gregory Cordy, thank you, as always for joining me. Now to continue this conversation, we turned to Matt Bennett. He is executive vice president at Third Way. Matt, of course we caught up in Chicago briefly as well, and I asked you about RFK Junior at that time, on the eve of his suspension of his campaign.

All right, Bloomberg White House and Politics reporter Gregory Cordy, thank you, as always for joining me. Now to continue this conversation, we turned to Matt Bennett. He is executive vice president at Third Way. Matt, of course we caught up in Chicago briefly as well, and I asked you about RFK Junior at that time, on the eve of his suspension of his campaign.

He now, of course has done so.

He now, of course has done so.

And I wonder if your answer agrees with Gregory's that it's not actually clear this is going to make much difference at all.

And I wonder if your answer agrees with Gregory's that it's not actually clear this is going to make much difference at all.

Yeah, I fundamentally agree with that. However, I will give you the democratic answer. As Gregory noted, there are two and that is what we really don't know is the scale of this RFK could be a problem for Trump for two reasons. First, he is kind of repellent to a lot of women. He has admitted to sexually assaulting his kid's babysitter and has said there's probably other women out there that have come forward with allegations against him that he admits. And the second thing is he said he would sign a federal abortion band when he was still running for president, So those are not things designed to attract women. Also, the guy is just super weird. I mean, over the weekend a story came out about how he took his kids down to the beach, cut the head off a beached whale, put it on the roof of his car, and had his kids put plastic bags on their heads to keep the whale juice off of their heads. I mean, he is a weirdo, and if Trump and Vans are trying to avoid that label, maybe bring an RFK on wasn't such a great idea.

Yeah, I fundamentally agree with that. However, I will give you the democratic answer. As Gregory noted, there are two and that is what we really don't know is the scale of this RFK could be a problem for Trump for two reasons. First, he is kind of repellent to a lot of women. He has admitted to sexually assaulting his kid's babysitter and has said there's probably other women out there that have come forward with allegations against him that he admits. And the second thing is he said he would sign a federal abortion band when he was still running for president, So those are not things designed to attract women. Also, the guy is just super weird. I mean, over the weekend a story came out about how he took his kids down to the beach, cut the head off a beached whale, put it on the roof of his car, and had his kids put plastic bags on their heads to keep the whale juice off of their heads. I mean, he is a weirdo, and if Trump and Vans are trying to avoid that label, maybe bring an RFK on wasn't such a great idea.

Okay, So now we have the whale story, we have the bear story, we have the photo next to a barbecue dog at one point many years ago, Matt.

Okay, So now we have the whale story, we have the bear story, we have the photo next to a barbecue dog at one point many years ago, Matt.

All of these animal reminders.

All of these animal reminders.

It is worth pointing out, of course, that you third way also played a role in vanquishing if you will, No Labels or at least their efforts this election cycle out of concern that they could actually be a big spoiler. There was the spoiler concern about RFK Junior as well, and arguably if you listen to him and is running meet Nicole Shanahan. It was the idea that they were turning into a spoiler that impacted their decision.

It is worth pointing out, of course, that you third way also played a role in vanquishing if you will, No Labels or at least their efforts this election cycle out of concern that they could actually be a big spoiler. There was the spoiler concern about RFK Junior as well, and arguably if you listen to him and is running meet Nicole Shanahan. It was the idea that they were turning into a spoiler that impacted their decision.

Here.

Here.

What does it say to you that now there is really no third party option, that this is ultimately going to be a choice Trump Harris or stay home for the American voter.

What does it say to you that now there is really no third party option, that this is ultimately going to be a choice Trump Harris or stay home for the American voter.

Well, first of all, I'm very happy that the major third party candidates at No Labels then RFK now out of the race. I think it makes it much clearer for voters. However, there are a couple left. Jill Stein is still running as a Green Party candidate. That might not strike most listeners as very important, but she had an impact on the outcome of the election in twenty sixteen, even getting only one or two percent of the vote in swing states. If she does that again, that could matter. So we're going to keep the pressure on and make sure that voters understand who Jill Stein is, and that she's not a safe place for them to park their vote if they're unhappy with both Harris and Trump.

Well, first of all, I'm very happy that the major third party candidates at No Labels then RFK now out of the race. I think it makes it much clearer for voters. However, there are a couple left. Jill Stein is still running as a Green Party candidate. That might not strike most listeners as very important, but she had an impact on the outcome of the election in twenty sixteen, even getting only one or two percent of the vote in swing states. If she does that again, that could matter. So we're going to keep the pressure on and make sure that voters understand who Jill Stein is, and that she's not a safe place for them to park their vote if they're unhappy with both Harris and Trump.

We consider where votes move when candidates leave the race. It does take me back to the conversation we were having in March after Super Tuesday when Nicki Haley dropped out this idea, where does the nicky Haley voter go? Now that we are seeing Harris pick up in polls, in some cases substantially higher than Joe Biden was pulling in July when he dropped out of the race, does that suggest to you that maybe some of those nicky Haley voters are indeed going to her as that other choice or do we not know that?

We consider where votes move when candidates leave the race. It does take me back to the conversation we were having in March after Super Tuesday when Nicki Haley dropped out this idea, where does the nicky Haley voter go? Now that we are seeing Harris pick up in polls, in some cases substantially higher than Joe Biden was pulling in July when he dropped out of the race, does that suggest to you that maybe some of those nicky Haley voters are indeed going to her as that other choice or do we not know that?

Answered definitively yet.

Answered definitively yet.

Well, there's certainly there some. I mean, we saw them at the convention in t shirts that said Haley voter for Harris, So we just don't know the magnitude of that. My guess is that most of the reason that the polls have tightened is because the people that we refer to as the double haters, people that weren't happy with both Trump and Biden, have almost have overwhelmingly moved towards Harris. They have gone from something like twenty two percent of the electric down to blow ten and that can be the reason for the difference. Some of them may have voted for Haley in the primaries, some didn't. But there is a real battle on for those people, people who may never have voted for a Democrat before but just can't bring themselves to vote for Trump for all of the reasons that Harris are and others particulated.

Well, there's certainly there some. I mean, we saw them at the convention in t shirts that said Haley voter for Harris, So we just don't know the magnitude of that. My guess is that most of the reason that the polls have tightened is because the people that we refer to as the double haters, people that weren't happy with both Trump and Biden, have almost have overwhelmingly moved towards Harris. They have gone from something like twenty two percent of the electric down to blow ten and that can be the reason for the difference. Some of them may have voted for Haley in the primaries, some didn't. But there is a real battle on for those people, people who may never have voted for a Democrat before but just can't bring themselves to vote for Trump for all of the reasons that Harris are and others particulated.

So what wins that battle, Matt? Is it money that helps or is it actual people that helps? And I asked this because as I was just talking to Gregory about the big fundraising hall for Harris in the month and changed since Biden dropped out. Yes, it's over half a billion dollars, but her campaign also pointed to more than two hundred thousand people signing up as volunteers.

So what wins that battle, Matt? Is it money that helps or is it actual people that helps? And I asked this because as I was just talking to Gregory about the big fundraising hall for Harris in the month and changed since Biden dropped out. Yes, it's over half a billion dollars, but her campaign also pointed to more than two hundred thousand people signing up as volunteers.

What matters more?

What matters more?

Oh, well, there's no doubt that people matter more than money, especially in presidential races. In modern presidential campaigns, no one loses or wins because they have more money, because both sides have so much that they basically hit a point of diminishing returns in the hand states that really matter. If you live in Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, you have my condolences. You're in for hellish several months of television viewing and they're going to see plenty of ads. What matters most is hearing from trusted messengers, and what that means is mostly people in their networks, people that they know, their neighbors, their colleagues, their friends, their family. And the fact that so many new people are coming to the Harris campaign to volunteer is enormously important. Now, a lot of those two hundred thousand do not live in those seven states, and they can be helpful, but not as helpful as the people who do. So we really got a hope that people rally to her in the places that matter.

Oh, well, there's no doubt that people matter more than money, especially in presidential races. In modern presidential campaigns, no one loses or wins because they have more money, because both sides have so much that they basically hit a point of diminishing returns in the hand states that really matter. If you live in Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, you have my condolences. You're in for hellish several months of television viewing and they're going to see plenty of ads. What matters most is hearing from trusted messengers, and what that means is mostly people in their networks, people that they know, their neighbors, their colleagues, their friends, their family. And the fact that so many new people are coming to the Harris campaign to volunteer is enormously important. Now, a lot of those two hundred thousand do not live in those seven states, and they can be helpful, but not as helpful as the people who do. So we really got a hope that people rally to her in the places that matter.

The most well and in those places that matter remote, those swing states, we're seeing the candidates criss crossing them this week. Trump's planning to go to Michigan and Pennsylvania, Harrison Walls. Later on this week, we'll be doing a bus tour of Georgia, as some Poland have suggested, suggests Matt that the Sun Belt is more in play than it was for Joe Biden. If you were advising the campaign on where they should be divvying up their time their resources, be it people, money, or otherwise, should they be focusing a lot of energy on the Sun Belt or should they concentrate in the rest belt where we're seeing Trump advance spend a lot of time.

The most well and in those places that matter remote, those swing states, we're seeing the candidates criss crossing them this week. Trump's planning to go to Michigan and Pennsylvania, Harrison Walls. Later on this week, we'll be doing a bus tour of Georgia, as some Poland have suggested, suggests Matt that the Sun Belt is more in play than it was for Joe Biden. If you were advising the campaign on where they should be divvying up their time their resources, be it people, money, or otherwise, should they be focusing a lot of energy on the Sun Belt or should they concentrate in the rest belt where we're seeing Trump advance spend a lot of time.

I think they got to do both for a couple of reasons. First of all, unlike when Biden was running, as you note, Harris definitely has a shot in North Carolina and Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona, and winning some or all of those states could be the difference even if we end up losing one of the Blue Wall states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. So I do think they have the resources, they have the surrogates they can send into these places. I think it's a good idea. And remember when she campaigns in Georgia, that means Trump has to as well. If one campaign ignores the state, the other that is stronger there can do the same. But now we're going to make the Trump people spend money in time in Georgia as well. So I think it's a good investment, all right.

I think they got to do both for a couple of reasons. First of all, unlike when Biden was running, as you note, Harris definitely has a shot in North Carolina and Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona, and winning some or all of those states could be the difference even if we end up losing one of the Blue Wall states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. So I do think they have the resources, they have the surrogates they can send into these places. I think it's a good idea. And remember when she campaigns in Georgia, that means Trump has to as well. If one campaign ignores the state, the other that is stronger there can do the same. But now we're going to make the Trump people spend money in time in Georgia as well. So I think it's a good investment, all right.

Matt Bennett, executive vice president at Third Way. Always great to have you here on Balance of Power. Thank you so much for joining me. That does seem to be part of the strategy for both campaigns forced them to spend money in places that they may not want to or may not have planned to as substantially, it's going to be something we continue to follow.

Matt Bennett, executive vice president at Third Way. Always great to have you here on Balance of Power. Thank you so much for joining me. That does seem to be part of the strategy for both campaigns forced them to spend money in places that they may not want to or may not have planned to as substantially, it's going to be something we continue to follow.

Here you're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast kens Just Live weekdays at noon Eastern on Apple CarPlay and then roud Oto with the Bloomberg Business app. You can also listen live on Amazon Alexa from our flagship New York station, Just Say Alexa play Bloomberg eleven thirty.

Here you're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast kens Just Live weekdays at noon Eastern on Apple CarPlay and then roud Oto with the Bloomberg Business app. You can also listen live on Amazon Alexa from our flagship New York station, Just Say Alexa play Bloomberg eleven thirty.

Back in Washington after a marathon week last week in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, and at that convention, the Democrats focused a lot on this notion of freedom, freedom when it comes to a number of things, but reproductive rights specifically something that entering the conversation. Remember when Kamala Harris was accepting the Democratic presidential nomination. In her speech, as she was talking about abortion rights, she suggested that Trump and Republicans are quote out of their minds when it comes to that issue. The question is whether their minds can actually change. And perhaps the appearance of JD. Vance, of course, the Republican vice presidential nominee on Meet the Press yesterday when he talked about abortion. As an indication of that, this is what he had to say.

Back in Washington after a marathon week last week in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, and at that convention, the Democrats focused a lot on this notion of freedom, freedom when it comes to a number of things, but reproductive rights specifically something that entering the conversation. Remember when Kamala Harris was accepting the Democratic presidential nomination. In her speech, as she was talking about abortion rights, she suggested that Trump and Republicans are quote out of their minds when it comes to that issue. The question is whether their minds can actually change. And perhaps the appearance of JD. Vance, of course, the Republican vice presidential nominee on Meet the Press yesterday when he talked about abortion. As an indication of that, this is what he had to say.

I can absolutely commit that Kristen and Donald Trump has been as clear about that as possible. I think it's important to step back and say, what is Donald Trump actually said on the abortion question, and how is it different from what Kamala Harrison the Democrats have said. Donald Trump wants to end this cultural war over this particular topic. If excuse me of California wants to have a different abortion policy from Ohio, then Ohio has to respect California and California has.

I can absolutely commit that Kristen and Donald Trump has been as clear about that as possible. I think it's important to step back and say, what is Donald Trump actually said on the abortion question, and how is it different from what Kamala Harrison the Democrats have said. Donald Trump wants to end this cultural war over this particular topic. If excuse me of California wants to have a different abortion policy from Ohio, then Ohio has to respect California and California has.

To respect Ohio.

To respect Ohio.

Donald Trump's view is that we want the individual states and their individual cultures and the unique political sensibilities to make these decisions.

Donald Trump's view is that we want the individual states and their individual cultures and the unique political sensibilities to make these decisions.

Now, what the senator said he could commit to was this notion that Donald Trump would not sign into law a federal abortion ban. Later on in the program on Meet the pet Press, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren joined and she said, quote, American women are not stupid, and we are not going to trust the futures of our daughters and granddaughters to two men who have openly bragged about blocking access to abortion for women all across this country. It's on this note we assemble our political panel today, two women, in fact, Jeanie Shanzano Bloomberg Politics contributor, contributor and senior Democracy fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, together today with Republican strategist Brittany Martinez, who of course is founder at Espina in Company. Thank you both so much for joining me. Genie, we'll come to you first because it is worth pointing out that during the first Trump administration back in twenty eighteen, and I'd like to thank my producer CC for flagging this this morning, Donald Trump was encouraging the Senate to pass a twenty week abortion band so they could send it to his desk for him to sign. Should voters believe that he wouldn't pursue something similar this time around, or should some kind of evolution on this issue be allowed?

Now, what the senator said he could commit to was this notion that Donald Trump would not sign into law a federal abortion ban. Later on in the program on Meet the pet Press, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren joined and she said, quote, American women are not stupid, and we are not going to trust the futures of our daughters and granddaughters to two men who have openly bragged about blocking access to abortion for women all across this country. It's on this note we assemble our political panel today, two women, in fact, Jeanie Shanzano Bloomberg Politics contributor, contributor and senior Democracy fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, together today with Republican strategist Brittany Martinez, who of course is founder at Espina in Company. Thank you both so much for joining me. Genie, we'll come to you first because it is worth pointing out that during the first Trump administration back in twenty eighteen, and I'd like to thank my producer CC for flagging this this morning, Donald Trump was encouraging the Senate to pass a twenty week abortion band so they could send it to his desk for him to sign. Should voters believe that he wouldn't pursue something similar this time around, or should some kind of evolution on this issue be allowed?

Yeah, I think on both sides, we are hearing the sound of everybody desperately trying to run to the center. I mean, at the Democratic Convention, we heard the Democrats Kamala Harris, it was as if she never ran in twenty nineteen, moving right to the center. And we see Donald Trump and jd Vance doing this as well, and that's what that interview and Meet the Press was all about. We've seen Donald Trump screaming on truth social that women will be safe. I'm great with women. They love me. So they are desperately trying to go to the center because Republicans know on this issue of abortion, regardless of what you think of it personally, electorally, it has been a big problem for Republicans since Roe was overturned. So can you trust him? I think Elizabeth Warren suggested, no, can do when they've been bragging about it. But the reality is he and Kamala Harris are doing what they have to do electorally to try to show people that they are moderate in the middle and not to worry about things that you know, their party and they in the past have said and now they are running away from So.

Yeah, I think on both sides, we are hearing the sound of everybody desperately trying to run to the center. I mean, at the Democratic Convention, we heard the Democrats Kamala Harris, it was as if she never ran in twenty nineteen, moving right to the center. And we see Donald Trump and jd Vance doing this as well, and that's what that interview and Meet the Press was all about. We've seen Donald Trump screaming on truth social that women will be safe. I'm great with women. They love me. So they are desperately trying to go to the center because Republicans know on this issue of abortion, regardless of what you think of it personally, electorally, it has been a big problem for Republicans since Roe was overturned. So can you trust him? I think Elizabeth Warren suggested, no, can do when they've been bragging about it. But the reality is he and Kamala Harris are doing what they have to do electorally to try to show people that they are moderate in the middle and not to worry about things that you know, their party and they in the past have said and now they are running away from So.

If everybody's rushing to the middle, Brittany, and we include the Republican ticket in that, if genius is to be believed, does that actually risk backfiring? If Donald Trump is rushing toward the middle, or jd Vance is doing so perhaps on his behalf to try to attract more moderates, do they risk alienating what comprises a decent portion of the Republican base, which is pro life, who already were feeling like the campaign was kind of betraying them, and for example, adopting a policy platform that didn't call explicitly at the RNC for a federal abortion band. Does this risk backfiring? Is this something that can work?

If everybody's rushing to the middle, Brittany, and we include the Republican ticket in that, if genius is to be believed, does that actually risk backfiring? If Donald Trump is rushing toward the middle, or jd Vance is doing so perhaps on his behalf to try to attract more moderates, do they risk alienating what comprises a decent portion of the Republican base, which is pro life, who already were feeling like the campaign was kind of betraying them, and for example, adopting a policy platform that didn't call explicitly at the RNC for a federal abortion band. Does this risk backfiring? Is this something that can work?

I mean, I think that's probably always a possibility. But here's what we have to keep in mind. According to research excuse me, Pew research pulling from earlier this year, sixty three percent of Americans think that abortion should be legal in all or in some cases, whereas it's only thirty six percent the other way around when you break it up by party.

I mean, I think that's probably always a possibility. But here's what we have to keep in mind. According to research excuse me, Pew research pulling from earlier this year, sixty three percent of Americans think that abortion should be legal in all or in some cases, whereas it's only thirty six percent the other way around when you break it up by party.

Obviously Republicans are more.

Obviously Republicans are more.

Conservative on that issue, of course, but also if you look back to earlier this year during the Republican primary, Nikki Haley was our best messenger when it came to abortion and pro life issues. And I think what you're going to see over the next few years is Republicans moving more towards those talking points. And yes, of course there are those supporters who are very conservative on this issue, but I would also say that if you will, if you're comfortable getting some of the Republican policies that maybe we'll start moving a little bit more progressively rather than the Democrats who are way more liberal on this issue. I think that those voters are still going to stay with the Republicans.

Conservative on that issue, of course, but also if you look back to earlier this year during the Republican primary, Nikki Haley was our best messenger when it came to abortion and pro life issues. And I think what you're going to see over the next few years is Republicans moving more towards those talking points. And yes, of course there are those supporters who are very conservative on this issue, but I would also say that if you will, if you're comfortable getting some of the Republican policies that maybe we'll start moving a little bit more progressively rather than the Democrats who are way more liberal on this issue. I think that those voters are still going to stay with the Republicans.

Well, I do wonder as well.

Well, I do wonder as well.

And this isn't specific to the abortion issue, but if we are allowing which perhaps we should allowing candidates to change their tune on various issues, perhaps it's abortion for Donald Trump and JD.

And this isn't specific to the abortion issue, but if we are allowing which perhaps we should allowing candidates to change their tune on various issues, perhaps it's abortion for Donald Trump and JD.

Vance.

Vance.

But of course they've been criticizing Kamala Harris on a number of flip flops that she has made based on as Genie was alluding to what she was campaigning on in twenty nineteen in her short lived first presidential run versus now, be it on healthcare, be it on fracking, for example, something critically important to the swing state of Pennsylvania Brittany. Are Republicans still going to be able to effectively message that she's a flip flopper on the issues if they are doing the same.

But of course they've been criticizing Kamala Harris on a number of flip flops that she has made based on as Genie was alluding to what she was campaigning on in twenty nineteen in her short lived first presidential run versus now, be it on healthcare, be it on fracking, for example, something critically important to the swing state of Pennsylvania Brittany. Are Republicans still going to be able to effectively message that she's a flip flopper on the issues if they are doing the same.

I mean, I think so there is always an argument to be made, right and when it comes to this issue, I mean, I know we're speaking beyond abortion now as well, but she hasn't ran as a presidential candidate in what is it five years at this point, and so you are allowed to evolve your opinions, I think. But Republicans are going to hit on the flip flop. I'm sure Democrats will hit on the flip flop. Whoever is able to kind of trate the message to Americans in the best way, they're the ones who are going to be the most successful.

I mean, I think so there is always an argument to be made, right and when it comes to this issue, I mean, I know we're speaking beyond abortion now as well, but she hasn't ran as a presidential candidate in what is it five years at this point, and so you are allowed to evolve your opinions, I think. But Republicans are going to hit on the flip flop. I'm sure Democrats will hit on the flip flop. Whoever is able to kind of trate the message to Americans in the best way, they're the ones who are going to be the most successful.

I mean, it's a messaging game at the end of the day.

I mean, it's a messaging game at the end of the day.

Well, and it's also about where you take that message. Of course, we're going to see both of these candidates and the tickets as a whole crisscrossing the swing states today, Donald Trump going or not today but this week in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Harrison Walls will be on a bus tour of Georgia later this week. But Jeanie There has been reporting over the course of the last few days that Donald Trump's getting ready to rev things up. He is going to be much more active on the campaign trail as he's worried about losing ground to Harris. Is it better or worse for the Harris campaign to see more of Donald Trump? Knowing that in a number of appearances recently he has lost discipline and is focusing more on personal attacks than on policy issues. Does him actually being out there more help Harris or hurt her?

Well, and it's also about where you take that message. Of course, we're going to see both of these candidates and the tickets as a whole crisscrossing the swing states today, Donald Trump going or not today but this week in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Harrison Walls will be on a bus tour of Georgia later this week. But Jeanie There has been reporting over the course of the last few days that Donald Trump's getting ready to rev things up. He is going to be much more active on the campaign trail as he's worried about losing ground to Harris. Is it better or worse for the Harris campaign to see more of Donald Trump? Knowing that in a number of appearances recently he has lost discipline and is focusing more on personal attacks than on policy issues. Does him actually being out there more help Harris or hurt her?

You know, I have always been of the opinion that the more Trump, the better for the Democrats, particularly because he just is so undisciplined, you know, his campaign. Most Republicans want him to address the issues. On most issues, he has a very good record that appeals to people. When you talk about the economy, when you talk about immigration, when you talk about crime, most people trust him on those things. And yet he goes to these rallies and he says, do you want me to talk about personal issues or the issues topical issues? And they scream personal issues, and then he goes on the attack, and so he robs himself of the ability to be disciplined and to take Harrison on all those issues that you and Brittany were just talking about, from cracking and energy all the way through to the economy, taxes and everything else. So I think if he is out there in these big rallies and he is his old, undisciplined self, it is better for Harris. By the same token, I was surprised Harris was off the campaign trail after her very good convention, I thought, very much like Tim Waltz said, you can sleep when you're dead. You've got to be out there when the this type. I guess she was preparing for the debate, but I think she has got to be out there. But for her, it's got to be out there talking to reporters and answering some tough questions. So I think they both have challenges on either side.

You know, I have always been of the opinion that the more Trump, the better for the Democrats, particularly because he just is so undisciplined, you know, his campaign. Most Republicans want him to address the issues. On most issues, he has a very good record that appeals to people. When you talk about the economy, when you talk about immigration, when you talk about crime, most people trust him on those things. And yet he goes to these rallies and he says, do you want me to talk about personal issues or the issues topical issues? And they scream personal issues, and then he goes on the attack, and so he robs himself of the ability to be disciplined and to take Harrison on all those issues that you and Brittany were just talking about, from cracking and energy all the way through to the economy, taxes and everything else. So I think if he is out there in these big rallies and he is his old, undisciplined self, it is better for Harris. By the same token, I was surprised Harris was off the campaign trail after her very good convention, I thought, very much like Tim Waltz said, you can sleep when you're dead. You've got to be out there when the this type. I guess she was preparing for the debate, but I think she has got to be out there. But for her, it's got to be out there talking to reporters and answering some tough questions. So I think they both have challenges on either side.

Well, yeah, Jeanie to that point, didn't she say that before the month of August was out she was going to sit down for one of those big interviews. We don't know of anything on the books yet.

Well, yeah, Jeanie to that point, didn't she say that before the month of August was out she was going to sit down for one of those big interviews. We don't know of anything on the books yet.

Yeah, nothing we've heard of. I keep hearing it's going to be this week and everybody, and I'm sure you, Kayley, have bitt it on come talk to us. Everybody is asking her to come talk to them. We don't know where she'll be, but I really believe she's got to get out there in a tough interview sooner rather than later.

Yeah, nothing we've heard of. I keep hearing it's going to be this week and everybody, and I'm sure you, Kayley, have bitt it on come talk to us. Everybody is asking her to come talk to them. We don't know where she'll be, but I really believe she's got to get out there in a tough interview sooner rather than later.

Yes, again, and I will repeat this every chance I get. Vice President Harris, you have a standing invitation to join us here on Bloomberg TV and Radio. Of course, the Republican ticket does as well, we'd love to talk to any of you as where you're now just ten weeks out from the election, so Jeannie or Britney.

Yes, again, and I will repeat this every chance I get. Vice President Harris, you have a standing invitation to join us here on Bloomberg TV and Radio. Of course, the Republican ticket does as well, we'd love to talk to any of you as where you're now just ten weeks out from the election, so Jeannie or Britney.

Rather to the point Genie was just making.

Rather to the point Genie was just making.

Going back to Donald Trump being more active on the trail, this idea that he has lacked discipline or perhaps is being very disciplined, and he's shucking off the advice of his advisors and doing exactly the opposite of what it seems they're telling him to do. If you were on that team, and I know you're no fan of Donald Trump, but you are a Republican strategist, how do they work around the candidate here? What is the best way for the campaign, the enterprise of it, to move forward over the course of the next ten weeks.

Going back to Donald Trump being more active on the trail, this idea that he has lacked discipline or perhaps is being very disciplined, and he's shucking off the advice of his advisors and doing exactly the opposite of what it seems they're telling him to do. If you were on that team, and I know you're no fan of Donald Trump, but you are a Republican strategist, how do they work around the candidate here? What is the best way for the campaign, the enterprise of it, to move forward over the course of the next ten weeks.

I love how you put that he is very disciplined of being undisciplined.

I love how you put that he is very disciplined of being undisciplined.

I've never heard that before. It's brilliant.

I've never heard that before. It's brilliant.

Yes, you know, and even we've kind of seen the contradictionary over the weekend right where they're trying to push back on like no no mikes during the breaks on and he was, you know, on films saying like, oh I don't care, like we can have him on, but like but I don't it.

Yes, you know, and even we've kind of seen the contradictionary over the weekend right where they're trying to push back on like no no mikes during the breaks on and he was, you know, on films saying like, oh I don't care, like we can have him on, but like but I don't it.

Doesn't matter to me. I'll do whatever that is not helpful.

Doesn't matter to me. I'll do whatever that is not helpful.

I mean, I guess that's all you can keep doing is pushing that messaging and trying to stay in control of like the social media, the truth of the Twitter, those sorts of things.

I mean, I guess that's all you can keep doing is pushing that messaging and trying to stay in control of like the social media, the truth of the Twitter, those sorts of things.

But this is what you have to keep in mind.

But this is what you have to keep in mind.

People love, like what Genie said earlier about the personal tax they love that stuff. The magabase loves that. We have seen him be a little bit more disciplined and stick to the script in the binder. But what you lose in that is his enthusiasm and vigor that you see during the tax. I mean, it feels like a five year old who has been told by his teacher that he has to speak during the school assembly and he just doesn't want to. So as little time in those long winded press conferences as possible, trying to take control of the Twitter, and you know, trying to have to shift back to messaging when Trump ultimately inevitably doesn't say what he should be saying.

People love, like what Genie said earlier about the personal tax they love that stuff. The magabase loves that. We have seen him be a little bit more disciplined and stick to the script in the binder. But what you lose in that is his enthusiasm and vigor that you see during the tax. I mean, it feels like a five year old who has been told by his teacher that he has to speak during the school assembly and he just doesn't want to. So as little time in those long winded press conferences as possible, trying to take control of the Twitter, and you know, trying to have to shift back to messaging when Trump ultimately inevitably doesn't say what he should be saying.

Well, So, Genie, is that why we're seeing the Harris campaign push for Mike's live during the debate on September tenth, not follow the rules of the Biden Trump debate that we saw on June twenty seventh, where their mics were cut off after their time was up. They want his mic on because they're hoping he slips up.

Well, So, Genie, is that why we're seeing the Harris campaign push for Mike's live during the debate on September tenth, not follow the rules of the Biden Trump debate that we saw on June twenty seventh, where their mics were cut off after their time was up. They want his mic on because they're hoping he slips up.

Right, Absolutely, I think they would love nothing more than a repeat of the first debate in twenty twenty. I don't know if my hurt can take it, but I think that's what they're going for. And to Britney's point, the juxtaposition here is just incredible. Donald Trump on the teleprompter looks like he is a hostage somewhere, whereas Kamala Harris, they say, can't get her off the teleprompter. So we have two very different candidates. And boy, the Democrats want him on that mic saying anything outrageous they can get him to say for that debate, if there is a debate. I should add.

Right, Absolutely, I think they would love nothing more than a repeat of the first debate in twenty twenty. I don't know if my hurt can take it, but I think that's what they're going for. And to Britney's point, the juxtaposition here is just incredible. Donald Trump on the teleprompter looks like he is a hostage somewhere, whereas Kamala Harris, they say, can't get her off the teleprompter. So we have two very different candidates. And boy, the Democrats want him on that mic saying anything outrageous they can get him to say for that debate, if there is a debate. I should add.

Well that at this hour is the big if.

Well that at this hour is the big if.

Brittany, We'll talk more about this in the next hour when you'll be back with us. But Donald Trump suggesting maybe he's not going to show up on that ABC debate on September tenth, do you buy it?

Brittany, We'll talk more about this in the next hour when you'll be back with us. But Donald Trump suggesting maybe he's not going to show up on that ABC debate on September tenth, do you buy it?

Is he going to miss that opportunity.

Is he going to miss that opportunity.

I think he'll be there.

I think he'll be there.

I think he's just a showman, and he likes to exploit the narrative, and so I think he'll be there. But he's just using this time to sort of, you know, get under people's skin.

I think he's just a showman, and he likes to exploit the narrative, and so I think he'll be there. But he's just using this time to sort of, you know, get under people's skin.

Maybe, but he'll be.

Maybe, but he'll be.

There all right.

There all right.

Well.

Well.

Brittany Martinez Espina and Company founder and Republican strategist, and Jeanie Shanze, no Bloomberg Politics contributor and Senior Democracy Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

Brittany Martinez Espina and Company founder and Republican strategist, and Jeanie Shanze, no Bloomberg Politics contributor and Senior Democracy Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

Thank you both.

Thank you both.

Of course, I'll have much more with both Jeanie and Brittany next hours. We continue to keep our eye on the campaign trail and of course on the money as well. As we have told you this hour, Kamala Harris has crossed the half a billion dollar fundraising mark five hundred and forty million dollars to be exact, and her presidential campaign is only five weeks old. At this point, It's only been five weeks since Shoe Biden left the race. This is a fast moving campaign. Something tells me the next ten weeks are going to move even faster. We're just seventy days out. Everyone from this election will continue to have full coverage of it for you here on Bloomberg and of course it's not just our political panel that will help us be covering that. Will speak next hour to Samara Klar of the University of Arizona. Take a specific look at that swing state in the Sun Belt that it does seem Kamala Harris and Tim Walls are targeting more of and we'll keep an eye on the Middle East as well. In the next hour, I'll be joined by Natasha Hall at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As Israel launched preemptive strikes against Hesbula in Lebanon over the weekend, so much more is still ahead. In the second hour, A Balance of Power.

Of course, I'll have much more with both Jeanie and Brittany next hours. We continue to keep our eye on the campaign trail and of course on the money as well. As we have told you this hour, Kamala Harris has crossed the half a billion dollar fundraising mark five hundred and forty million dollars to be exact, and her presidential campaign is only five weeks old. At this point, It's only been five weeks since Shoe Biden left the race. This is a fast moving campaign. Something tells me the next ten weeks are going to move even faster. We're just seventy days out. Everyone from this election will continue to have full coverage of it for you here on Bloomberg and of course it's not just our political panel that will help us be covering that. Will speak next hour to Samara Klar of the University of Arizona. Take a specific look at that swing state in the Sun Belt that it does seem Kamala Harris and Tim Walls are targeting more of and we'll keep an eye on the Middle East as well. In the next hour, I'll be joined by Natasha Hall at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As Israel launched preemptive strikes against Hesbula in Lebanon over the weekend, so much more is still ahead. In the second hour, A Balance of Power.

Stick with us.

Stick with us.

You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch us live weekdays at noon Eastern on Appo, car Play and then Roun Auto with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube.

You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch us live weekdays at noon Eastern on Appo, car Play and then Roun Auto with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube.

Does feel like a huge part of the city today is still in recovery mode, trying to catch back up on sleep and recharge after last week's very busy Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Certainly an energetic event, I think it's fair to say, and also one that proved to be quite the boon in terms of the money game for Kamala. Harrison affiliated super packs eighty two million dollars raise last week alone, and that brings their total hall, according to the campaign, to five hundred and forty million dollars since Joe Biden dropped out of the race. That of course happened just five weeks ago. We are talking a frenetic pace of fundraising here that is basically unmatched in modern political history. And the campaign, of course is ongoing now with just seven weeks to go until election day and two weeks until a presidential debate that we think is still on, even though Donald Trump is casting a little bit of doubt on that within the last twenty four hours. So here it cover it all for us. As Laura Davisson, she is Bloomberg a politics editor and is here with me in studio on Bloomberg TV and Radio. So if we could just begin with the money, because of course that is crucially important in a race that is probably going to turn out to be very, very expensive. We were talking about before Joe Biden dropped out of the race, how Donald Trump is actually the one that was turning out to have the bigger cash advantage. Kamala Harris has been able to flip that script in a very short period of time. The question is can this keep going or is she about to tap everything she was going to tap and perhaps tap it too soon.

Does feel like a huge part of the city today is still in recovery mode, trying to catch back up on sleep and recharge after last week's very busy Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Certainly an energetic event, I think it's fair to say, and also one that proved to be quite the boon in terms of the money game for Kamala. Harrison affiliated super packs eighty two million dollars raise last week alone, and that brings their total hall, according to the campaign, to five hundred and forty million dollars since Joe Biden dropped out of the race. That of course happened just five weeks ago. We are talking a frenetic pace of fundraising here that is basically unmatched in modern political history. And the campaign, of course is ongoing now with just seven weeks to go until election day and two weeks until a presidential debate that we think is still on, even though Donald Trump is casting a little bit of doubt on that within the last twenty four hours. So here it cover it all for us. As Laura Davisson, she is Bloomberg a politics editor and is here with me in studio on Bloomberg TV and Radio. So if we could just begin with the money, because of course that is crucially important in a race that is probably going to turn out to be very, very expensive. We were talking about before Joe Biden dropped out of the race, how Donald Trump is actually the one that was turning out to have the bigger cash advantage. Kamala Harris has been able to flip that script in a very short period of time. The question is can this keep going or is she about to tap everything she was going to tap and perhaps tap it too soon.

It's unlikely she's tapped everything she has to tap, you know, particularly as she continues to rise in the polls. Donors like to bet on winners and continue to spend when they see signs that their investment is doing something. But just the number five hundred and forty million dollars, that is a huge figure. Biden's twenty twenty campaign raised just over a billion dollars, So just in the span of one month, she's raised more than fifty percent of what Biden raised in the course of an entire campaign, when there was a lot of money, there was a lot of interest, there was a lot of enthusiasm behind Biden at that time. So it's just a really incredible amount of money that she's brought in the door and Trump has not been able to match that at all. He's been raising kind of what a normal campaign was somewhere around you know, one hundred, one hundred and fifty million dollars a month and she's at you know, over five hundred million.

It's unlikely she's tapped everything she has to tap, you know, particularly as she continues to rise in the polls. Donors like to bet on winners and continue to spend when they see signs that their investment is doing something. But just the number five hundred and forty million dollars, that is a huge figure. Biden's twenty twenty campaign raised just over a billion dollars, So just in the span of one month, she's raised more than fifty percent of what Biden raised in the course of an entire campaign, when there was a lot of money, there was a lot of interest, there was a lot of enthusiasm behind Biden at that time. So it's just a really incredible amount of money that she's brought in the door and Trump has not been able to match that at all. He's been raising kind of what a normal campaign was somewhere around you know, one hundred, one hundred and fifty million dollars a month and she's at you know, over five hundred million.

Well, and it's not just the actual dollar figures that her campaign is touting.

Well, and it's not just the actual dollar figures that her campaign is touting.

It's people too.

It's people too.

This notion that two hundred thousand volunteers have signed up. How powerful is that that is not just the ability to buy ad space on the airwaves, also get people to knock on doors and to actually do some of the groundworking that might be necessary to turn people out.

This notion that two hundred thousand volunteers have signed up. How powerful is that that is not just the ability to buy ad space on the airwaves, also get people to knock on doors and to actually do some of the groundworking that might be necessary to turn people out.

That's incredibly helpful. We'll get out the vote type efforts. It also you know, and this is something they talked a lot about at the convention. If if you have people who are enthusiastic and excited, they're talking about it with their friends, they're talking about it with their family and making sure people have a plan to vote and actually go vote on election day, that's the enthusiasm that really kind of helps. You know, Remember, these elections are going to be decided by ten thousand votes in some of the key swing states, so you know, having you know, certain communities that make sure that you know, elderly relatives have a way to get to the polls that can make a difference.

That's incredibly helpful. We'll get out the vote type efforts. It also you know, and this is something they talked a lot about at the convention. If if you have people who are enthusiastic and excited, they're talking about it with their friends, they're talking about it with their family and making sure people have a plan to vote and actually go vote on election day, that's the enthusiasm that really kind of helps. You know, Remember, these elections are going to be decided by ten thousand votes in some of the key swing states, so you know, having you know, certain communities that make sure that you know, elderly relatives have a way to get to the polls that can make a difference.

Well, and as we talk about the swing states, about Harrison Walls will be in Georgia on a bus tour later this week. Donald Trump himself will be kind of criss crossing. He was in Virginia earlier today. He's going to go to Michigan and Pennsylvania this week as well, And all of the reporting indicates that he's getting ready to ramp things up in a pretty material way, that he's going to be spending more time on the trail, perhaps less time at his properties, be it in Florida or New Jersey. Laura, I would imagine it's no coincidence that that's coming at a time where Harris is raising so much money and rising at least from where Joe Biden was in polls. How how is Donald Trump planning to counter this? Is it literally just getting out there and going to the states themselves.

Well, and as we talk about the swing states, about Harrison Walls will be in Georgia on a bus tour later this week. Donald Trump himself will be kind of criss crossing. He was in Virginia earlier today. He's going to go to Michigan and Pennsylvania this week as well, And all of the reporting indicates that he's getting ready to ramp things up in a pretty material way, that he's going to be spending more time on the trail, perhaps less time at his properties, be it in Florida or New Jersey. Laura, I would imagine it's no coincidence that that's coming at a time where Harris is raising so much money and rising at least from where Joe Biden was in polls. How how is Donald Trump planning to counter this? Is it literally just getting out there and going to the states themselves.

That's that's one of his strategies, you know.

That's that's one of his strategies, you know.

He you know, up until you know, about two or three weeks ago, had been doing one or two events a week. Last week he did something like seven or eight events a week. So he's really seeing that, you know, having a younger opponent, having both Harris and Walls who are out there on the campaign trail and doing multiple events a day. He's got to be able to match that. There's also some concerns sort of among his staff that having him at mar A Lago or at Bedminster, you know, just golfing and stewing too much is also a problem. They want to get him out there in front of voters, though they're changing a strategy a little bit. They're not doing some of the big, big rallies that he's done before, partially because those are really expensive. That also they want to keep him on message, so they're doing smaller events, you know, at manufacturing plants, you know, at sheriff's office, to talk about the border, to talk about the economy. That hasn't you know, worked exactly the way they wanted to. He's still been, you know, talking about the personal attacks. Even one rally last week he pulled the crowd and said, hey, if you want me to focus on the personal attacks or not, and you know, had the crowd cheer for which option they preferred, and the applause was way louder for you know, continuing on the personal insults.

He you know, up until you know, about two or three weeks ago, had been doing one or two events a week. Last week he did something like seven or eight events a week. So he's really seeing that, you know, having a younger opponent, having both Harris and Walls who are out there on the campaign trail and doing multiple events a day. He's got to be able to match that. There's also some concerns sort of among his staff that having him at mar A Lago or at Bedminster, you know, just golfing and stewing too much is also a problem. They want to get him out there in front of voters, though they're changing a strategy a little bit. They're not doing some of the big, big rallies that he's done before, partially because those are really expensive. That also they want to keep him on message, so they're doing smaller events, you know, at manufacturing plants, you know, at sheriff's office, to talk about the border, to talk about the economy. That hasn't you know, worked exactly the way they wanted to. He's still been, you know, talking about the personal attacks. Even one rally last week he pulled the crowd and said, hey, if you want me to focus on the personal attacks or not, and you know, had the crowd cheer for which option they preferred, and the applause was way louder for you know, continuing on the personal insults.

Yeah, perhaps it's more entertaining. And I take your point about them not wanting to see or them being his staffers and those advising him not wanting to see him just hold up in one place doing for too long. But also, isn't there kind of an argument to be made that the more Trump is out there, the higher likelihood it is that he goes off script, that he loses that discipline, Like some of the moments may not be so positive that he's generating.

Yeah, perhaps it's more entertaining. And I take your point about them not wanting to see or them being his staffers and those advising him not wanting to see him just hold up in one place doing for too long. But also, isn't there kind of an argument to be made that the more Trump is out there, the higher likelihood it is that he goes off script, that he loses that discipline, Like some of the moments may not be so positive that he's generating.

That is true.

That is true.

However, he can also be on true social all day and night, you know, making some of those same things. So even one of the remarks that got the most pick up over the weekend was him talking about how he's going to be a champion for women's reproductive rights.

However, he can also be on true social all day and night, you know, making some of those same things. So even one of the remarks that got the most pick up over the weekend was him talking about how he's going to be a champion for women's reproductive rights.

Yes you're reading that.

Yes you're reading that.

You might think, oh, this sounds like a Democrat. No, this is Donald Trump who is now deciding he wants to pivot his messaging on abortion. This is both of course outraging Democrats who say, wait, this is our issue. You know, Donald Trump doesn't support this, as well as allies saying, hey, I thought this was the pro life Republican Party. What happened to that?

You might think, oh, this sounds like a Democrat. No, this is Donald Trump who is now deciding he wants to pivot his messaging on abortion. This is both of course outraging Democrats who say, wait, this is our issue. You know, Donald Trump doesn't support this, as well as allies saying, hey, I thought this was the pro life Republican Party. What happened to that?

Well, and Jadie Vance on Meet the Press on Sunday suggested that Donald Trump would not sign into law a federal ban on abortion, despite what Donald Trump said he would do when he was actually president back in twenty eighteen. Elizabeth Warren later came on the program and said women don't trust Trump Advance on that issue effectively. But Jade Advance did sit down for that interview. Kamala Harris, as the Trump Advance ticket, will be very quick to point out, has not yet done so. She said she would do it, but the month of August being over, this is the last week of August. Laura, do we have any idea when this is going to happen.

Well, and Jadie Vance on Meet the Press on Sunday suggested that Donald Trump would not sign into law a federal ban on abortion, despite what Donald Trump said he would do when he was actually president back in twenty eighteen. Elizabeth Warren later came on the program and said women don't trust Trump Advance on that issue effectively. But Jade Advance did sit down for that interview. Kamala Harris, as the Trump Advance ticket, will be very quick to point out, has not yet done so. She said she would do it, but the month of August being over, this is the last week of August. Laura, do we have any idea when this is going to happen.

We have not had any indication that this is going to happen. She's also said she sit down with the National Association of Black Journalists. That's another group that you know, Trump made a lot of headlines and you know when he went in front of them. So the time is is sort of now for her to you know, schedule something to show, hey, look, I can have these unscripted moments.

We have not had any indication that this is going to happen. She's also said she sit down with the National Association of Black Journalists. That's another group that you know, Trump made a lot of headlines and you know when he went in front of them. So the time is is sort of now for her to you know, schedule something to show, hey, look, I can have these unscripted moments.

It's also might behoove.

It's also might behoove.

Her because she's got this debate allegedly on September tenth.

Her because she's got this debate allegedly on September tenth.

We'll see if it happens.

We'll see if it happens.

There's been a little bit of back and forth between the camps today on whether this will actually come to fruition. But it's a good test, you know, having to go out there and get pressured on what maybe some weak points for the campaign.

There's been a little bit of back and forth between the camps today on whether this will actually come to fruition. But it's a good test, you know, having to go out there and get pressured on what maybe some weak points for the campaign.

Well, I'm glad you brought that up, because Donald Trump, of course appeared to be watching ABC News yesterday didn't necessarily like what he saw. He was on True Social suggesting why would I debate on this network?

Well, I'm glad you brought that up, because Donald Trump, of course appeared to be watching ABC News yesterday didn't necessarily like what he saw. He was on True Social suggesting why would I debate on this network?

Then we understood that there was a bit of.

Then we understood that there was a bit of.

An issue happening between the two camps as to whether or not the microphone should be hot the whole time or cut off after your time was up, as we saw on June twenty seventh when Biden and Trump debated.