Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Overview: 

This article was written by William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck at Brookings. 

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• Kamala Harris used the debate to introduce herself to voters, emphasizing her middle-class background and experience as a prosecutor.
• Donald Trump focused on separating himself from his party's extreme policies and addressing key voter concerns like the economy and abortion.

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Key Quotes:

• “From the very first minutes of the debate, it was clear that she knew she had to define herself and that she did—as a child of the middle class who, in contrast to Trump, was not given $400 million to start a business.”
• “Trump tried to distance himself from the extremes, arguing that he would approve of abortions for rape and incest and even going so far as to say the Florida six-week ban is too short.”

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What They Discuss:

• Kamala Harris faced three main challenges: introducing herself to unfamiliar voters, explaining her shifting positions on key issues, and proving her capability to serve as president.
• Harris consistently brought up her prosecutorial background to counter claims of being weak on crime.
• Trump needed to convey he wasn't obsessed with conspiracy theories and to appeal to swing voters.
• Trump’s repeated focus on illegal immigration highlighted a core issue for his campaign but may have limited his broader appeal.
• Abortion emerged as a particularly controversial topic, with Harris attacking restrictive state policies and Trump attempting to moderate his stance.

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What They Recommend:

• Harris should continue defining herself clearly to voters and emphasize her prosecutorial experience.
• Trump should stick to script on key issues like the economy and avoid deviating into conspiracy theories.
• Both candidates need to clarify their positions on contentious issues like abortion and immigration to appeal to undecided voters.

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Key Takeaways:

• Kamala Harris' debate performance likely energized her supporters and further introduced her to voters who didn't know her well.
• Trump's focus on illegal immigration and attempts to moderate his position on abortion had mixed success in broadening his appeal.
• The debate could boost Harris' campaign, but the final outcome will depend on continued voter engagement and state-specific efforts.

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This is a brief overview of the article by William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck at Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.

Overview:

This article by Karlyn Bowman, Nate Moore, and Ruy Teixeira at the American Enterprise Institute explores the potential political impact of President Biden's support for Israel on his electoral prospects in Michigan, particularly among Muslim and Arab American voters.

• It discusses the "Abandon Biden" movement, initiated by some Muslim community leaders in response to Biden's stance on Israel, aiming to persuade Muslim and Arab Americans to vote for a third-party candidate.
• The article analyzes the significance of the Arab American vote in Michigan, a key battleground state, and weighs the potential electoral consequences for Biden.

Key Quotes:

1. "An October survey found just 17.4 percent of Arab Americans would vote for Joe Biden in a general election matchup with Donald Trump—a more than 40-point decline from 2020."
2. "The Biden administration should not sacrifice its principled foreign policy for small, short-term electoral gains."

What They Discuss:

• The article highlights the decline in President Biden's approval rating among Arab Americans and the potential impact of this shift on the 2024 election.
• It examines the electoral dynamics in Michigan, noting that while the Arab American vote is significant, it may not be sufficient alone to determine the election outcome.
• The piece considers other factors that could influence Biden's campaign in Michigan, including the enthusiasm of Black and Hispanic voters.
• It discusses the historical voting patterns of Arab Americans in Michigan and the potential for these voters to lean towards the GOP due to social conservatism, regardless of Biden's foreign policy.
• The article also addresses the potential risk of alienating Jewish voters if the Democratic stance against Israel becomes too hardline.

What They Recommend:

• Cataneo suggests that the Biden administration should maintain its foreign policy principles rather than making concessions for electoral gains.
• The article implies that the Biden campaign should focus on larger demographic groups and core Democratic constituencies, as these will have a more significant impact on the election outcome.

Key Takeaways:

• The shift in Arab American support away from Biden in Michigan reflects broader political and social trends that transcend foreign policy issues.
• While the Arab American vote is important, it is unlikely to be the sole deciding factor in Michigan's electoral outcome.
• The Biden administration faces a complex balancing act in maintaining its foreign policy stance while addressing the concerns of diverse voter groups.

This is a brief overview of Karlyn Bowman, Nate Moore, and Ruy Teixeira's work from American Enterprise Institute. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article. 

Overview:

• This article was written by Robert A. Levy, discussing the complex issue of Donald Trump's potential disqualification from running for president in 2024.
• The author critically examines the legal and constitutional implications surrounding the disqualification debate, focusing on the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment and its application.

Key Quotes:

• "No person shall … hold any office … who, having previously [served] … as an officer of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection."
• "The US Constitution is not a legal code; it’s a set of broad principles that implement a framework for governance."​

What They Discuss:

• Levy analyzes Colorado's attempt to disqualify Trump from the 2024 ballot and the subsequent legal challenges leading to the U.S. Supreme Court's involvement.
• The article addresses critical legal questions, including who has standing to file suit and whether states can define "engaging in insurrection."
• It scrutinizes whether the term "Officer of the United States" in the Fourteenth Amendment applies to elected officials like Trump.
• The distinction between disqualification from holding office and running for office is explored, with reference to various state court rulings.
• The article considers the constitutional framework for governance and the potential political repercussions of disqualifying Trump without a criminal conviction.

​What They Recommend:

• Levy suggests a careful interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, emphasizing its historical context and legal precedents.
• The author recommends that the Supreme Court provide clarity on the application of Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Key Takeaways:

• The debate over Trump's disqualification centers on constitutional interpretation, especially the Fourteenth Amendment.
• The U.S. Supreme Court's decision will have significant implications for electoral law and the definition of insurrection in a political context.
• The issue raises broader questions about the balance between legal standards and political decision-making in the American democratic process.

This is a brief overview of Robert A. Levy's work from the Cato Institute. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.