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Left, Right & Center

KCRW

Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.

KCRW 2020, 498771

Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.

KCRW 2020, 498771
21hr 9min
Thumbnail for "Trump’s comment on Harris’ race: Calculated or ‘weird?’ ".
Democrats called Trump “weird” due to his remarks at the NABJ conference. U.S. policy is changing in the Middle East, and Chicago is preparing for a migrant surge.
Thumbnail for "What went right for Trump, what went wrong for Harris?".
KCRW analyzes Donald Trump’s presidential win. Did the Democrats play a losing hand? Plus, what can we expect under the leadership of a conservative government?
Thumbnail for "Will late campaign gaffes trash either candidate’s chances?".
KCRW provides an election outlook with a week to go. Can the electorate stop being driven by hate? Plus, what was the Washington Post’s real mistake?
Thumbnail for "Undecided voters and abortion rights could sway election".
The final campaign days are here. How are early voters affecting candidate strategies? Plus, the panel discusses how abortion rights may change the Nevada battleground.
Thumbnail for "A hurricane of conspiracies".
The recent hurricanes unleashed a storm of conspiracies. Could Omaha voters decide the nation’s fate? Plus, an indie newsletter saved a politically divided marriage.
Thumbnail for "Gender, class … and fracking?".
Does “working class” mean what it used to? Is fracking getting more attention than it deserves? Plus, KCRW examines what came out of one culture war in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Thumbnail for "Cordial VP debate was a throwback to a bygone era ".
Can civility influence voters in the Trump era? Has Biden’s policy in the Middle East backfired? Plus, the United States hits a bleak milestone on executions.
Thumbnail for "Where does modern conservatism leave Trump ahead of Nov. election? ".
What is a “never Trump” Republican? Both Trump and Harris are trying to win over swing and Centrist voters. Plus, conflict in the Middle East turns to Lebanon.
Thumbnail for "Where does Brazil’s X ban leave free speech in US? ".
The U.S. continues to take a firm stance on China. When does censorship go too far? Plus, California’s gas inventory may hurt its neighboring state, Nevada.
Thumbnail for "Do debates have winners — or just losers?".
Did voters learn anything new from the Trump-Harris debate? Are live fact checks useful or fair? Plus, disinformation muddies the discourse on immigration.
Thumbnail for "How has ‘Make America Great Again’ evolved in Trump era?".
What does “MAGA” mean in 2024? Trump and Harris clash on poverty policy. Plus, KCRW discusses opponents of free school lunch programs.
Thumbnail for "Can Democrats' shift toward patriotism win them the election?".
Harris’ economic plan takes on price gouging. Where does Democratic “freedom” messaging leave Republicans? And the panel looks back at political freakouts.
Thumbnail for "Are Democrats more unified after DNC?".
Will shifts in the Democratic agenda leave progressives out in the cold? KCRW discusses the DNC. Plus, can labor laws for minors balance safety and opportunity?
Thumbnail for "Will a lack of detailed policy hurt Harris?".
Thumbnail for "Is Tim Walz the right choice as Kamala Harris’ running mate?".
Thumbnail for "Despite lost time, can Kamala Harris gain ground on Trump? ".
Joe Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in. What is next for Harris as she contends for the White House? Plus, how might age verification laws change online privacy?
Thumbnail for "Is Trump’s GOP departing from traditional conservatism?".
After surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump shared a new message of unity at the RNC. Does this signal a change in his GOP vision?
Thumbnail for "Did Biden’s NATO presser save his candidacy?".
Where does the Biden campaign stand following the NATO summit? The RNC debuts a new party platform. Plus, Alabama faces questions about forced prison labor.
Thumbnail for "What’s the long-term impact of SCOTUS’ presidential immunity ruling?".
Will SCOTUS’ immunity ruling increase election stakes? Several states are bringing religion into education. LA’s mayor is pushing for a mask ban at protests.
Thumbnail for "No spinning this one: Analyzing Trump, Biden debate performances".
KCRW discusses key moments in this week’s historic presidential debate. Plus, a Seattle community revisits the role of police officers in schools following a shooting.
Thumbnail for "Will presidential candidates fare better than what polling suggests?".
What does polling get wrong about voters’ concerns? A new measure in North Dakota sets age limits for Congress members. Plus, KCRW previews next week’s presidential debate.
Thumbnail for "Are Trump’s claims for political revenge more than rhetoric?".
Are Trump’s campaign promises a cause for concern? KCRW also discusses activism in journalism and the role of school vouchers in closing achievement gaps.
Thumbnail for "Will Americans believe in Biden’s ability to lead? ".
Is a Hunter Biden plea deal the best thing for his father’s campaign? Why has Joe Biden’s executive order upset pretty much everyone?
Thumbnail for "With Trump’s trial over (for now), what’s next?".
KCRW examines the political response to Donald Trump’s guilty verdict. What impact will it have on undecided voters and the public’s faith in the judiciary?
Thumbnail for "How AI and deepfakes could affect this election".
How much could AI and deepfakes threaten election integrity? Is round two of the border bill dead on arrival? Plus, KCRW looks at the effect of unpopular presidential candidates on down-ballot politicians.

Trump’s comment on Harris’ race: Calculated or ‘weird?’

Thumbnail for "Trump’s comment on Harris’ race: Calculated or ‘weird?’ ".
August 2, 202450min 29sec

Donald Trump made a visit to Chicago during the National Association for Black Journalists’ (NABJ) conference for a panel that included ABC Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott. When asked about presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ credentials, Trump said she “happened to turn Black” for political gain. Harris, who is the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, called Trump’s remarks the “same old show,” emphasizing that the “American people deserve better.” The interaction brought headlines back to Trump when Harris’ campaign was gaining momentum. Was it “weird,” as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz put it, or was it the whole point? The panel discusses the culture of the 2024 presidential campaign. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington D.C. to address Congress about rising tensions in the Middle East. Harris didn’t attend, but met with Netanyahu privately. Speaking with reporters afterward, she reiterated her support for Israel’s right to defend itself, but noted her concern for human suffering in Gaza. In a meeting with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Netanyahu said Harris’ remarks could impact ceasefire talks. Following the meeting, a soccer field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights was struck by Lebanese rockets, killing 12 people, mostly children. In the aftermath, Israel was accused of killing top Hezbollah and Hamas military leaders in Lebanon and Iran – stoking fears of a wider regional war. What is U.S. policy in the Middle East now, and how would it differ depending on who’s in the White House next year?  

Ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month, Republican Governor Greg Abbot warned the Windy City of the migrant surge Texas faced during the Republican National Convention. Illinois is preparing for border states like Texas to send asylum seekers their way,  adding beds at city shelters and enforcing a 60-day stay limit. The panel discusses whether conversations around migrant busing are valid or a distraction from bipartisan efforts to cooperate. This week’s 50 states series tackles immigration in Illinois and the national response to migrant asylum seekers. 

Thumbnail for "Trump’s comment on Harris’ race: Calculated or ‘weird?’ ".
Trump’s comment on Harris’ race: Calculated or ‘weird?’
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