Transitioning to the
Transition of power
The transition of
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In the realm of politics, there was a heated discussion between the Trump and Harris campaign leaders this week about their strategies. The meeting did not go smoothly.
Written by Jess Bidgood and Shane Goldmacher
Dear reader, we composed this newsletter for you in a room filled with tension in Cambridge.
The walls were adorned with dark wooden panels. A U-shaped table in the conference room was beautifully covered with maroon tablecloths and adorned with small vases holding roses and calla lilies.
A group of senior staff members from the Biden-Harris campaign appeared tense and uncomfortable during the meeting, while on the other side of the table, five top staff members and allies from the Trump campaign seemed ready for a fight.
Following each presidential election, the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School hosts a gathering where campaign strategists from both general-election candidates and important staff members from unsuccessful primary campaigns come together to discuss and dissect what transpired during the election. These discussions are facilitated by journalists and can sometimes become intense, as was the case in 2016. While some years the event may serve as a way to release pent-up emotions, this year’s focus was on achieving perfection.
During a dinner meeting, Sheila Nix, who served as Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign chief of staff, praised the flawless campaign run by Ms. Harris. Later, Chris LaCivita, a campaign manager for President-elect Donald Trump, used the term to criticize Team Biden/Harris during a panel discussion.
"Perfectly executed," he sarcastically remarked, following Jennifer O’Malley Dillon’s efforts to respond to a question about the debate that ultimately led to the end of President Biden’s campaign.
LaCivita’s interruption highlighted a key issue that has been causing frustration among Democrats who were not present in the room, and has been a source of ridicule from Trump’s staff members who were there. Despite losing the campaign, the Biden-Harris team has been hesitant to acknowledge any specific mistakes they may have made, with their focus being more on the overall sentiment of the country rather than pinpointing tactical errors on their part. It is likely that the ultimate explanation lies in a combination of both factors.
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