Few words pop up more frequently in 2024 election discourse than “vibes.” While the 2020 presidential contest was billed as an existential clash between competing visions for American democracy amid a deadly pandemic, its sequel has largely been defined by questions of weirdness (or lack thereof). Policy has taken a backseat as newly minted Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz seek to create an image that distances their ticket from both the apocalyptic rhetoric and airing of grievances that define Donald Trump’s campaign and the aura of doom that surrounded the final days of Joe Biden’s.
As this week’s Democratic National Convention unfolds from Chicago, the party is seeking to project an aura of joy and optimism that directly contrasts with the bleakness and machismo that emerged from the Republican National Convention last month. But are vibes enough? That’s the question that “ The Daily Show ” sought to answer when its team hit the convention halls this week. The Comedy Central talk show is broadcasting from Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture all week to capture all of the convention festivities — and correspondents Ronny Chieng, Desi Lydic, Troy Iwata, and Josh Johnson decided to ask attendees what they really think of the party’s approach.
In a clip that airs tonight, the team spoke to everyone from Democratic operatives to viral online rappers about whether Democratic policies really matter in an election that o.