About this episode

The episode discusses the divided opinions on Kamala Harris among Democrats in red states and features insights from polling and campaigns reporter Erin Doherty.

Democrats campaigning in red states are divided on Kamala Harris – some going as far as to reject a Harris endorsement. So,what is the Harris strategy barreling ahead towards the midterms? Then polling and campaigns reporter Erin Doherty joins Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns and Adam Wren to discuss the other stories animating Washington: the potential political ambitions of ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and what a POLITICO poll reveals about voters both parties are missing. Plus, a first in Playbook ad for a GOP congressional candidate in Michigan.   For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

People in this episode

Hosts: Dasha Burns, Adam Wren

Guest: Erin Doherty

Topics covered

• politics
• midterms
• campaign strategy
• polling
• endorsements
• red states

Keywords

• Kamala Harris
• midterms
• red states
• polling
• political strategy
• endorsements
• ESPN
• Michigan

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ESPN, POLITICO

Places: Michigan

More episodes of The Playbook Podcast

• Can Trump’s convention kickoff compete with the NFL? · September 9, 2026 · 26 min
• Why a Nebraska Senate candidate flipped on Trump’s border wall · September 8, 2026 · 26 min
• ‘What the hell is going on with the Democratic Party?’ (with Stephen A. Smith) | The Conversation · September 6, 2026 · 48 min
• Susan Collins on her high-wire act in Trump’s GOP | On the Road · September 5, 2026 · 50 min
• The GOP’s fifth stage of grief · September 4, 2026 · 19 min
• Trump’s data center defense · September 2, 2026 · 24 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Playbook Podcast podcast page.