• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

What Trump and an LA dive bar share is what Kamala Harris desperately needs

by August 3, 2024
written by August 3, 2024

I have spent several years now thinking about the idea of authenticity, because I believe it is the quality that American society most craves, but also one that is rare and incredibly hard to define. 

We clearly see this in our presidential race, in which Donald Trump’s supporters view him as a straight shooter who always says what he means, while his detractors describe him as a snake-oil salesman who will say anything to get what he wants.

Similarly, Kamala Harris fans see a tried and true public servant with decades of experience under her belt, while Republicans see a chameleon changing political colors more often than the pride flag.

Are either of them authentic? Neither of them? What is authenticity? 

My own search to define the elusive quality began at a little dive bar in Venice Beach called Hinano. I’d just driven from Brooklyn To L.A. and the final day’s drive had taken me through about six different Bob Ross paintings from hunter green forest to deathly beige desert, moonscapes and Indian trading posts in between. 

With my burger and beer I felt what Jack Kerouac once described as ‘end of the land sadness,’ but the company was very pleasant and as I looked around I saw sawdust on the floor, a Beach Boys cover band was playing, but I wondered, was this authentic?

Now, Hinano has been there since 1962 and apparently Jim Morrison loved it, so it had that going for it, but on the other hand, it felt almost like we were all playacting in some other time and place, like a 60’s California Renaissance Fair. And I could easily hold both of those ideas in my mind.

I thought about Hinano on Wednesday when Donald Trump underwent an at times hilarious interview at the National Association of Black Journalists in which he basically said Harris only recently started calling herself back, and used to go by Indian. About 15 minutes of anger and scandal ensued, then mostly disappeared. 

I asked the one woman I met who was furious about it if she thought it would change any votes. Without a beat she said, ‘no.’

It was immediately clear to me, and to the people I spoke with, Democrat and Republican alike, that this was just Trump being unflinchingly Trump. But at the same time, Trump is a very unique kind of character.

Donald Trump has been a celebrity for 50 years, a kind of stylish contrarian, the guy who goes the other way and never backs down or apologizes. Even though this has all been completely consistent, to those who dislike him it also feels put on, like Trump has been playing a character or a brand for half a century and cannot separate the mask from his face anymore.

With Harris, things are a bit different. Republican voters are apoplectic that she seems to be changing her positions on everything from fracking to health care with no pushback from the liberal media. To them, this is the dictionary definition of inauthentic. But that’s not how Democratic voters see it.

The ones I talk to see a person who spent her whole life in party politics, and who knows how to bend to the will of the collective, and frankly, as far as Democratic politicians go, that is awfully authentic. Let’s not forget it was Barack Obama himself who ‘evolved’ from opposing gay marriage owing to his deep Christian beliefs to supporting it once it was politically feasible.

What was important about Trump’s attack on Harris’ alleged racial code switching is that he was precisely dinging her for being inauthentic, for pretending to be different people for different audiences. This is where Harris still has something to prove to swayable voters; they don’t quite know who she really is.

Between now and the end of the Democratic National Convention, both sides will eagerly try to paint Harris in the minds-eye of persuadable voters, and for these voters commitment to the good of the party will not be enough for her. They need to see the real Kamala Harris stand up, and need to believe that it is the same Kamala Harris that would preside in the Oval Office next year.

In the end, after a few years, a few more trips and visits,I decided that Hinano is authentic, but the place had to earn it. So does the vice president, and she doesn’t have a lot of time to do that.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Vital Western alliance countries’ heavy dependence on China is a major problem: ‘dangerously exposed’
next post
Argentina’s Milei rallies Venezuelan opposition despite Maduro’s ‘ugly’ attacks

related articles

Trump DOJ to begin handing over Epstein files...

August 22, 2025

TikTok isn’t enough to stop Gen Z from...

August 22, 2025

Trump administration wins Supreme Court fight to slash...

August 22, 2025

Zelenskyy seeks ‘strong reaction’ from US if Putin...

August 22, 2025

Pentagon unveils new medal for troops deployed in...

August 21, 2025

Federal judge rules Trump appointee Alina Habba is...

August 21, 2025

‘Maine’s Mamdani’: Maine GOP chief issues warning about...

August 21, 2025

‘There are 50 swamps’: State Freedom Caucus Network...

August 21, 2025

Trump-aligned legal group probes Biden-era organ transplant program...

August 21, 2025

NATO defense chiefs stress commitment to Ukraine, discuss...

August 21, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • White House pulls nomination of David Weldon as CDC director

    March 13, 2025
  • Who is Ashley Williams, the longtime Biden aide grilled by House GOP investigators Friday?

    July 11, 2025
  • Jasmine Crockett shares bizarre song clip calling herself ‘leader of the future’

    May 27, 2025
  • Trump’s Defense pick goes on offense as support grows for Hegseth confirmation

    December 10, 2024
  • Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy approved by MHRA in the UK for cardiovascular prevention

    July 23, 2024

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,785)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (893)

Latest Posts

  • It’s amazing what we’re learning from how Trump is balancing chaos and change

    February 4, 2025
  • Iran’s campaign trail threats against Trump more serious than publicly reported, book claims

    February 10, 2025
  • Nuclear watchdog urges ‘trust but verify’ that Iran engages in good-faith negotiations

    April 23, 2025

Recent Posts

  • White House says Mamdani would ‘crush’ New York City if elected mayor

    June 30, 2025
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods is latest retailer to forecast rocky 2025 as recession fears swirl

    March 11, 2025
  • Trump, Zelenskyy to meet for key deal as NATO allies, Russia wait, watch

    February 28, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Trump merchandise outsells pro-Harris by striking margin, as Election Day draws near

    October 29, 2024
  • Chief Justice Roberts sounds alarm on dangerous rhetoric aimed at judges from politicians

    June 29, 2025
  • The great airlift: how Apple ferried 1.5M iPhones from India to the US to beat Trump tariffs

    April 10, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock