Democratic campaign press secretary is truly the easiest job in politics. Kamala Harris has yet to sit down for a substantive interview or explain which policies she would pursue as president, but that hasn't stopped the mainstream media from promoting her "joyful warrior" candidacy with the giddy enthusiasm of North Korean propagandists in the service of Dear Leader.
We're not joking. Mainstream journalists keep writing the same story about how Harris and her "joyous" running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, are bringing "joy" back to American politics. What they mean by that is Democratic activists, including the vast majority of mainstream journalists, were demoralized after months of feigning excitement about Joe Biden, lying about his fitness to serve, and still seeing polls that showed him losing to Donald Trump. They feel joy now because they believe Democrats are going to win. It's that simple.
New York Times: "[I]t is no accident that joy—a battle-tested version of it—has become the backbone of Ms. Harris's campaign in recent days."
Washington Post: "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is joyous about the joy."
Associated Press: "Democrats are playing up their sunnier outlook, promoting the idea that voters can be inspired to support someone and not just cast their ballot against the other side."
NPR: "[F]rom one swing state to the next, Vice President Harris and her new running mate, Tim Walz, barnstormed joyfully, lifted by the cheers of the largest rally crowds of their campaign."
Los Angeles Times: "Into this season of gloom enters a onetime high school teacher and football coach and a corn dog lover, who has introduced a revolutionary alternative—joy."
Vanity Fair: "Don’t underestimate the power of joy. Of optimism. Of thinking about a bright future instead of being mired in the past or bad-mouthing the present. I think joy, in many ways, is the main ingredient in the propellant that is currently powering the Harris-Walz rocket."
The Guardian: "On social media, young people shared their excitement for the new Democratic ticket with coconut tree memes and big dad energy jokes."
Vogue: "The vice president is sharp and crisp, she beams (in all senses of the word), and I hope she’s got time to maneuver her budding spring in a staunchly autumnal system. Obama already proved to us that the most serious job on the planet can be stirred through with genuine charisma. A presidency will always be a serious matter, but Vice President Harris appears to be the first candidate in American history to secure our nom-meme-nation. I hope she gets joy over the line."
New York Times (again): "The Biden-Harris and Harris-Walz tickets were and are bridges carrying us willingly and cheerfully to a more inclusive future."
Le Monde (France): "When they took to the stage at 6 pm, it was a spectacle of joy, strength, and jubilation the likes of which we hadn't seen in a long time, while the American left-wing media made no secret of their enthusiasm."
