A self-described “fearful” Michael Kosta welcomed Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to Monday’s edition of The Daily Show on Comedy Central on night one of the Democratic National Convention from Chicago to implore her and other Democrats to have a long-term strategy against Donald Trump.
Kosta feared that Trump will eventually figure out how to campaign against Harris and worried Democrats are too busy falling in love with Harris to know how to adapt, “There is a lot of energy for Kamala right now. There's a lot of momentum. I’m fearful, though, I'm fearful that Democrats aren't thinking a few steps ahead. Trump is throwing his tantrums, he's mad that she is doing well. But you know, he's a competitor. He is going to pivot. He is going to come back with something. Are the Dems strategizing many steps ahead?”
Instead of trying to immediately alleviate his fears, Whitmer tried to dunk on Trump, “I believe so, but what are you anticipating? What is he going to do in a couple of weeks? I mean, I think he is sitting at home watching the energy, the enthusiasm, the optimism that’s going to come out of this week, and I think it is going to hurt his brain.”
Kosta doubled down, “Yeah, well, it is – Okay! Okay. Let's hope that happens. Let's prepare for him to get his head on straight and stop throwing a tantrum like a 4-year-old. He's acting like a 4-year-old. Eventually, they calm down and they figure out the weak spot. So, I'm just hoping the Dems — are you — you are a co-chair on Kamala's campaign? Are you strategizing, are you talking long term?”
This time Whitmer was more sober, “Yeah. Well, I mean, Michigan is Michigan. There's Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan. These are the swingiest of states. And we are going to decide the outcome of the election. We have got to show up, got to do the work, we got to be in all 83 counties. We cannot write off a place because it looks Republican in past elections. We're going to show up and we are going to pull people in because this—”
As the audience cheered, Kosta and Whitmer agreed that “showing up” was an important part of that strategy. The fact that a comedy show would feel the need to urge a party to have a better campaign strategy might seem odd, but The Daily Show exists first and foremost to help Democrats.
Here is a transcript for the August 19 show:
Comedy Central The Daily Show
8/19/2024
11:28 PM ET
MICHAEL KOSTA: There is a lot of energy for Kamala right now. There's a lot of momentum. I’m fearful, though, I'm fearful that Democrats aren't thinking a few steps ahead. Trump is throwing his tantrums, he's mad that she is doing well. But you know, he's a competitor. He is going to pivot. He is going to come back with something. Are the Dems strategizing many steps ahead?
GRETCHEN WHITMER: I believe so, but what are you anticipating?
KOSTA: I mean, what? Are you kidding me?
WHITMER: What is he going to do in a couple of weeks? I mean, I think he is sitting at home watching the energy, the enthusiasm, the optimism that’s going to come out of this week, and I think it is going to hurt his brain.
KOSTA: Yeah, well, it is – Okay! Okay. Let's hope that happens. Let's prepare for him—
WHITMER: Yes.
KOSTA: — to get his head on straight and stop throwing a tantrum like a 4-year-old. He's acting like a 4-year-old. Eventually, they calm down and they figure out the weak spot. So, I'm just hoping the Dems — are you — you are a co-chair on Kamala's campaign?
WHITMER: I am.
KOSTA: Are you strategizing, are you talking long term?
WHITMER: Yeah. Well, I mean, Michigan is Michigan. There's Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan. These are the swingiest of states.
KOSTA: Yes. Yes.
WHITMER: And we are going to decide the outcome of the election. We have got to show up, got to do the work, we got to be in all 83 counties.
KOSTA: Right.
WHITMER: We cannot write off a place because it looks Republican in past elections. We're going to show up and we are going to pull people in because this –
KOSTA: Show up.
WHITMER: Showing up.
