Staff Reports
Kamala Harris has decided to take a break from her usual slip-ups and spend some time targeting former President Donald Trump after his Madison Square Garden rally last Sunday. The Vice President grabbed her metaphorical magnifying glass to scrutinize a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, in which he referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating pile of garbage.” Apparently, Harris and her campaign team believe that this quip is the holy grail of material to swing the Latino vote back to the Democrats—or at least to distract from their own issues.
Harris latched onto Hinchcliffe’s comment, claiming it showcased Trump’s supposed divisiveness. It’s almost ironic, considering she was busily inviting enough celebrity endorsements to form her own Hollywood LLC, with notable figures like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez rushing to denounce the comic’s joke as if it was a national tragedy. According to Harris, these endorsements are crucial because they reflect a desire for leaders who uplift instead of “berate” America. But it raises the question: does she genuinely believe that famous faces can compensate for her underwhelming policies?
REACTION: Harris Refers to the Rally at Madison Square Garden as Being Divisive pic.twitter.com/cEwPKWhva1
— DC Shorts (@theDCshorts) October 29, 2024
In her grand narrative of Trump as the villain, Harris contended that he is “fixated” on his grievances and fueling division among Americans. One must wonder what’s more exhausting: hearing Trump’s criticisms of the current state of the country or listening to Harris repeatedly bemoaning him while offering little in the way of constructive alternatives. Instead of seeking unity, it seems her campaign aims to perpetuate a cycle of finger-pointing, all while using Trump as a convenient scapegoat.
Meanwhile, Harris’s team is hyper-aware that Hinchcliffe’s jab might actually energize the Puerto Rican community, with operatives like Victor Martinez calling it an “October surprise.” This perspective takes some serious acrobatics to believe, especially when many at the Madison Square Garden rally shrugged off the joke entirely. A Puerto Rican attendee, Engel Paulino, noted that he was more bemused than offended. The reaction of actual constituents could suggest that the Democrats may be barking up the wrong tree when it comes to community sentiments.
To further spice up the absurdity, the Harris campaign has recently rolled out ads referencing Hinchcliffe’s remarks, along with Harris recounting how Trump “abandoned the island” with nothing more than paper towels after Hurricane Maria. While this line may play well at a rally, it’s a tad puzzling why a leader would resort to such low-hanging fruit when addressing a serious topic. Rather than diving into developing strategic recovery plans, her approach feels more like a sitcom script than a presidential campaign strategy.
As the 2024 election looms, it becomes clearer that Harris and her team are intent on making segments of a comedy routine the centerpiece of their campaign. Unfortunately for them, the voters are a lot less concerned about jokes and much more focused on real issues. Trump might be a tough opponent in terms of humor and directness, but if Harris thinks she can win the hearts—and votes—of America by taking potshots rather than presenting a robust plan, it might just be Harris herself who ends up as the punchline.
