Mark Z. Barabak

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

@cathleendecker @paulmitche11 20? I think more like 40. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

@RalstonReports @melmason THAT is all. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

@RalstonReports @melmason D'oh! Talk about do-overs! This should read: All this to say, a long way from here to there. But, bottom line, even Harris insiders concede she needs to improve as a candidate and build and, more importantly, sustain momentum if she’s GOING TO BE Democrat’s nominee in 2020. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

@RalstonReports @melmason That is all. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

@RalstonReports Read more about it in this piece with the estimable @melmason https://t.co/nTemGjf5WX — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

@RalstonReports All this to say, a long way from here to there. But, bottom line, even Harris insiders concede she needs to improve as a candidate and build and, more importantly, sustain momentum if she’s not going to be Democrat’s nominee in 2020. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

And just so @RalstonReports doesn’t @ at me, Nevada – third on the Democratic calendar – also matters! — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

The point being if a candidate wants to win California, it helps to notch a few victories somewhere else, to show viability as a White House contender, starting in Iowa and New Hampshire. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

In 1980, Gov. Jerry Brown finished a distant third in the California primary, behind then-President Carter and Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. In 1992, as the state’s former governor, Brown finished second behind Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

California, the Big Enchilada on Super Tuesday, has never been the gimme for Harris that some said and her campaign expected. (As this space has oft-noted) — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

In South Carolina, which is the linchpin of her strategy, Biden enjoys strong (and so far durable) support among African American voters, who are key to winning the state. (Though that can change, see Obama 2008) — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

South Carolina, which has been central to her strategy all along, looks tougher with Biden running so strongly among black voters, who are key. (And, yes, that can change a la Clinton/Obama ‘08) https://t.co/mBICblmdp6 — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

In New Hampshire, there are questions how seriously she plans to compete, although she did put in more of a retail effort last weekend. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Dave Nagle, a fixture in Iowa’s Democratic Party, puts it this way: “You don’t get [commitments] by riding into town, holding an event, taking some questions and then jump on the bus and head to the next stop.” — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Dave Nagle, a fixture in Iowa’s Democratic Party, puts it this way: “You don’t get [commitments] by riding into town, holding an event, taking some questions and then jump on the bus and head to the next stop.” — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Other aspects won’t be as simple. She needs a standout performance in Thursday’s debate. She needs to get away from the media-centric California style of campaign she’s used to, say folks in Iowa, and spent more time on personal touches. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Still, even those working and/or rooting for Harris acknowledge a change in strategy is in order. (Go ahead @ at me anyway). Starting in Iowa, where she’s gone on a hiring binge this summer. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

To wit: On Christmas Eve 2003, John Kerry took out a $6 million loan against his Boston home to keep his struggling campaign afloat. Six weeks later, he won the Iowa caucuses. So too early to rule anyone in or out. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Yes, yes, there’s still plenty of time for fortunes to change. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Also, after minimizing it’s import, Harris and her campaign are scrambling to compete in Iowa, playing catch up against candidates who’ve been there much longer. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Well guess what? The sugar high of her June performance has long ago worn off and now she’s fallen well back in the pack, closer to the bottom than the top tier. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

The gist was that Harris rocked it and socked it in June’s first presidential debate, but the question was how and whether she capitalized on it, as we’ve seen that pattern before: Dazzle followed by doldrums. — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Remember this one? Of course not! I do. https://t.co/8UIGKTr128 — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Herewith, we once more take the pulse of Kamala Harris’ struggling presidential campaign and present a thread that starts with a thread https://t.co/nTemGjf5WX — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Musical interlude: https://t.co/F8rxQk6Jv2 #JackyTerrasson — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

RT @TonyRomm: you open the bottle and it just immediately asks what you do for a living https://t.co/v2HMB0OrQL — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

RT @melmason: A short thread (threadlet?) on my story today with @markzbarabak assessing Kamala Harris’ campaign on the eve of the third de… — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

RT @hookjan: You may notice a sea of @latguild eagles today. We’re changing our Twitter avatars to show we’re 100% behind our bargaining co… — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

RT @finneganLAT: Signs of trouble for Kamala Harris: Exhilarating highs, followed by extended doldrums that stall her momentum and erase h… — PolitiTweet.org

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak

Dazzle followed by doldrums is a pattern Kamala Harris can't seem to shake. Can she turn around her struggling presidential campaign with a strong debate performance? (One more time?) w/@melmason https://t.co/nTemGjf5WX — PolitiTweet.org