TN Politics: Harris and Trump campaigns make final calls

WKNO TRANSCRIPT

CHRISTOPHER BLANK (HOST): Next Tuesday, the campaign ends. For better or for worse we will have a new president and at the local level we could also have some new laws. Joining us to look ahead is Memphis political analyst Otis Sanford. Welcome back!

OTIS SANFORD: Thank you, Chris. I’m glad to be back with you.

BLANK: I want to start with a column that you wrote in Daily Memphian recently, where you pointed out that Tennessee is not likely to turn blue or vote for Kamala Harris, even though tons of people in Shelby County turn out to vote. So how do you argue with those people who say, well, since I can’t win, why should I even play the game?

SANFORD: Well, because voting is a sacred thing, especially to me. And so it’s easy for me — even if I’m talking about reality here and looking at the numbers: Republicans across the country are outnumbering Democrats. That’s just a reality. But that still doesn’t absolve anyone of their right — and I would argue their obligation — to vote. And who knows? Upsets have happened before. And while I don’t expect one for the presidential race, there could be some upsets in local races.

BLANK: Early voting ended yesterday. Let’s talk about some of these numbers. Until Tuesday, the totals were ahead of 2016 but behind 2020, the year of the pandemic. Did you think Harris would bring in a higher turnout, at least to start?

SANFORD: Looking at the numbers now (and we have all the reports except for Thursday, the last day), I’m not all that disappointed with the turnout. We are only 69,000 short of 2020. And remember, 2020 was a pandemic year. And election day turnout was only 54,000 in 2020. I expect next Tuesday to be close to 100,000, probably well over 100,000. And if that’s the case, we’ll probably match 2020. So I look at it in a different way. Yes, early voting is down, but it’s down because of people wanting to vote early in 2020 during the pandemic to remove it.

BLANK: You know, one of the things that we’ve talked about here is that there’s not a lot that either candidate can say to change people’s minds right now. Then, of course, that was all before Donald Trump’s rally in New York, where a comedian called Puerto Ricans trash. Then Joe Biden called Trump’s racist supporters trash. Then Trump dressed like a garbage man. I feel like Halloween is running for office this year. You know, for normal people in America — just reasonable people — what do you think are the best closing arguments for each of these campaigns?

SANFORD: Well, let’s start with Trump. I think his best final argument — and the one I think he was most consistent with — was immigration and border security. That was his bread and butter. He’s been trying to talk about the economy, but he just can’t keep up with all his other issues, including one just the other day where he was talking about being a protector of women, whether they like it or not. It was extremely offensive. So the only thing he really has going for him right now is immigration. As for Harris, her closing message is clear: It’s women’s health and their reproductive freedoms. She beats this. That message resonates. Women turn out to vote in large numbers, far outnumbering men. In addition, it is helped by an improving economy. We have a record scholarship. Inflation is falling. Gas prices have fallen. She is benefiting from it right now. But her closing message, clearly, is about women’s reproductive health.

BLANK: I’ve already heard that the outcome of the presidential election could be contested on Tuesday, especially if it’s close in those swing states. So what are you anticipating on Tuesday night? Will there be a concession speech from either side?

SANFORD: No, not from either party Tuesday night, and I don’t think we’ll ever get one from Donald Trump. I expect though, Chris — and I may live to eat my words on this one — but I expect that once all the votes are counted, Kamala Harris will win this election. And it probably won’t be as close as the polls say. She closes hard. Trump shuts down in a confused, almost comical state. You just mentioned a few minutes ago about him getting into a garbage truck and wearing a pinstripe suit. I just think his schtick wore out here at the end. But he will never give up. They will argue and go to court over irregularities and fraud, but I predict that Kamala Harris will win this election.