Democrats shift anti-Trump rhetoric to humor and ridicule

+ courting union vote with vastly different records US Edition - Today's top story: Harris campaign tries to beat Trump at his own game − ridicule [View in browser]( US Edition | 5 September 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Many people have remarked upon the upbeat tone of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, with its emphasis on joy, smiles and laughter. But there’s a not-so-light-hearted underside to that, according to Chris Lamb, a journalism professor at Indiana University. Harris is urging people not just to laugh with her but to laugh at her opponent, Donald Trump. Ridicule has long been a tool of politicians – Lamb has even written a book about it – and Harris is using it the way Trump has, to diminish her target’s status. Trump may be, as Harris put it at the Democratic National Convention, “an unserious man,” but [Harris’ attacks clearly have him rattled](, Lamb writes. Ridicule is one of Trump’s admitted weaknesses, and it’s on full display in this presidential campaign. Also in this week’s politics news: - [Putin’s trip to Mongolia shows limits of being 'friend to all']( - [Apps and 911 access haven’t made migrants safer]( - [Policies to transition oil & gas communities are falling short]( Jeff Inglis Politics + Society Editor Kamala Harris laughs at Donald Trump during her convention speech on Aug. 22, 2024. Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images [Harris campaign tries to beat Trump at his own game − ridicule]( Chris Lamb, Indiana University Democrats are taking a new tone aimed at a particular weakness of Donald Trump: He hates being laughed at. Both candidates are reaching out to union leaders and rank-and-file members. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images and Andrew Harnik/Getty Images [Trump and Harris, with starkly different records on labor issues, are both courting union voters]( Robert Forrant, UMass Lowell Union voters are particularly significant in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada, three swing states where the share of voters who belong to unions is above average. Former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pa., on Aug. 30, 2024. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images [Trump’s die-hard support may be explained by one of his most misunderstood character traits – ‘charisma’]( Michael Scott Bryant, Bryant University Throughout modern history, charismatic leaders have shown their extraordinary ability to elicit devotion to themselves and their causes. - [No, local election officials can’t block certification of results – there are plenty of legal safeguards]( Derek T. Muller, University of Notre Dame Concerns are mounting that some election officials might subvert the results of the 2024 presidential election by refusing to certify results. An election law expert says the law now prevents that. - [7 years after genocide, plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is exacerbated by camp violence]( Nasir Uddin, University of Chittagong Hundreds of thousands of minority Muslims fled Myanmar in 2017 amid a government crackdown. Seven years on, they remain in refugee camps. - [Apps, 911 services and mobile phones don’t offset deadly consequences of more restrictive border policies]( Angela Schöpke Gonzalez, University of Michigan Last year, at least 686 migrants died trying to cross into the US from Mexico. Many had the option to call 911 but were too afraid of detection and deportation to seek help. - [Putin’s visit to Mongolia defies ICC warrant and tests neutral nation’s ‘third neighbor’ diplomacy]( Christopher K. Tong, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Charles Krusekopf, Royal Roads University Mongolia has worked hard to craft friendly relations across the globe. But geography means that Russia and China still retain a strong influence. - [Oil and gas communities are a blind spot in America’s climate and economic policies]( Noah Kaufman, Columbia University Slowing climate change means cutting fossil fuel use. Many oil- and gas-producing communities aren’t prepared for that future, as a former White House economic and climate adviser explains. - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Giving Today]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get one daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you [facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world](. We can give away all our articles without any ads or paywalls thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](