Vice President Kamala Harris, in a blatant attempt at garnering popularity, made an unexpected appearance on the satirical program Saturday Night Live (SNL) leading up to the November 5 Presidential election. Without a moment’s respite from her North Carolina rally against her competitor, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump (who was also rallying in the battleground state), she hurried off to New York City. While the Democrats presented this as Harris bravely fighting on multiple fronts, others could view it as a desperate flailing for relevance.
The sequence of events during the SNL’s ‘2024 Pre-Election Cold Open’ on November 2, predominantly featured Harris, satirizing the past week’s campaign highlights. This included Maya Rudolph in her overstretched impression of Kamala Harris and James Austin Johnson donning a rubbish vest to mirror Trump. Such a farcical portrayal of political events certainly begs a question: is this really how they should be representing their campaign?
The scene then pivoted to Rudolph’s representation of Harris seated at a makeup table, expressing she’d prefer conversing with someone who could relate to her – an intersectional pick of ‘A Black, South Asian woman running for President… preferably from the Bay Area.’ An odd choice of identity politics, one might observe. The lens then shifted to the real Harris on the opposite side of the faux mirror, causing one to wonder if such motivation isn’t just a tad self-involved.
As the appeasements from the audience died down, Harris provided some uninspiring pep talk of her own, reminding Rudolph and indirectly herself, ‘You got this’. She smugly went on to mock Trump by implying his incapability of ‘opening doors’, inspired by a viral video of Trump trying to open a garbage truck’s door. A transparent attempt, noteworthy of ridicule, to gain an upper hand using petty, out-of-context humor.
Harris further went on to indulge in a rather cringe-worthy gimmick with Rudolph, trying to enhance her persona with a tongue-in-cheek rhyme. The droning exchange started with Rudolph saying, ‘Now Kamala, take my palm-ala,’ followed by a tacit suggestion that America¬ should ‘keep Kamala and carry on-a-la’. Quite the contrary; the gall of using theatrical shenanigans to manipulate public sentiment is somewhat disconcerting.
In an attempt to symbolize unity, Rudolph and Harris joined hands at center stage, with Rudolph avowing her vote for Harris and the two of them melodramatically proclaiming together: ‘And live from New York, it’s Saturday night.’ It’s disheartening to witness such important political figures turning the cold reality of political campaigning into little more than a comedy sketch.
Former SNL writer, John Mulaney, seemed relieved to resume responsibilities post this contrived spectacle of Harris. Amidst the dismal performance, it’s particularly interesting that Harris had never hosted or guested on the show before. Yet, in the lure for approval, she deems no platform too frivolous to exploit.
During an interview with The View in October, Kamala Harris shockingly praised Rudolph’s satire of her, stating ‘She’s so good.’ Apparently, deriding oneself seems to be the Democrats’ chosen path to perceived relatability. However, the public is far more intelligent than to fall for such sardonic deprecation.
Contrasting Harris’ debased tactics, Trump has previously hosted SNL twice—with integrity—once in 2004 and again during his presidential run in 2015. Though, unlike Harris, he steered clear from being a part of SNL during his presidency and the latest season. A testament to the seriousness he attaches to his presidential responsibilities, rather than immersing himself in making a mockery of politics on a comedy show.
Drawing dichotomies, it’s apparent how Trump exhibits restraint in the face of potential satire, while Harris blatantly joins in, bravado spilling. Disparities in their conduct could allude to the values they respectively place on the dignity and decorum of the esteemed office they aspire for. This puts into perspective the seriousness with which these individuals regard their roles and potential impacts on the country.
Harris’ appearance on SNL was nothing more than a glaring illustration of the Democrats’ proof-by-comedy tactic. Instead of focusing her efforts on articulating credible policies to improve American lives, Harris chose to participate in a comedic sketch, making light of matters that affect the course of our nation’s future.
There’s an increasing concern about the Democrats’ approach to politics with their inclination towards the trivialization of important national matters. It seems as though they place more emphasis on momentary entertainment rather than the daunting realities that confront the nation.
Overall, Harris’ frivolous attempt to resonate with the masses, particularly through comedy shows, speaks volumes about the Democratic party’s thought processes. It’s questionable whether such platforms are appropriate for discussions and representations of complex political dynamics.
Instead of showcasing strong leadership, Harris evidently seems more focused on scoring brownie points through comedy sketches and catchphrase humor. It’s concerning to see these routes being taken, all while the political landscape screams for tactful, cogent responses to national issues.
Sadly, the drowning applause from the audience following Harris’ on-stage antics is indicative of the blurring lines between entertainment and the grave struggles of political campaigns. This blurring seems to be a strategic move by the Democrats, but is it really the responsible way forward for the country?