Future Forward, the main super PAC supporting Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, will air the 30-second ad on television in states including Arizona and North Carolina this week at a cost of about $18 million, according to AdImpact. I am doing it.
Here we will introduce you to this ad, its accuracy and important points.
on the screen
The ad begins with an image of former President Donald J. Trump, slightly distorted by shadows, appearing to address wealthy supporters.
“I know about 20 of you, and you’re all insanely rich,” he says, according to on-screen captions. The camera then cuts to a black man shaking his head as he watches Trump’s remarks on an iPad-like device.
After another video of Trump promising tax cuts appeared on the screen, the man introduced himself as “Buddy M.” Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Buddy quickly establishes himself as a working-class or middle-class American, emphatically declaring that he is “not ridiculously rich.” The spot features images of Trump sitting in his wood-paneled living room, refueling his car at a gas station, and separate scenes of flashy-clothed people including Trump and his ally, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man. It captures images of people shopping. In a tuxedo.
As the music blares, the spot cuts to footage of Harris walking purposefully in front of an American flag and greeting helmeted men.
script
playing cards
“I know about 20 of you, and you’re all ridiculously wealthy…we’re going to give you a tax break…”
narrator
“I’m not that rich. It’s me who really needs a break, not the people who are already rich and have money. The 1 percent are of no use to anyone but themselves. , because they get a tax break? No, that’s not cool.
“Kamala Harris is going to make billionaires pay their fair share and give working people like me a tax cut.
“I’m buddy, I’m not very wealthy, so I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”
accuracy
Buddy has mentioned both candidates’ economic policies several times.
His mention of a tax cut for the “1%” is a nod to Trump’s position to extend the 2017 tax cuts, which include tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, among other tax cuts. Maybe.
Harris supports raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans. He also proposed expanding the child tax credit and reducing taxes to encourage housing construction, along with first-time homebuyer credits.
takeout
The ad appeals to two groups of voters who need to shore up Harris’ support: black men and working-class Americans of all races.
A national poll of likely voters released last month by The New York Times and Siena College found Harris winning 79% of black voters, and exit polls show she will secure nearly 90% of black voters. This is below the performance of a typical Democratic president.
Harris has faced special challenges for black men. Buddy comes across as approachable, a regular working person rather than a celebrity, which may give him the power to connect with voters of similar backgrounds.
Democrats also struggle with white working-class voters. Buddy’s message that Trump is working for himself and his wealthy friends, not workers, and Harris’ meeting with workers, many of whom appear to be white. The images all seemed intended to attract these voters.
Linda Qiu contributed reporting.
