WKNO TRANSCRIPT

CHRISTOPHER BLANK (HOST): Next Tuesday the campaign comes to an end. For better or worse, we will have a new president and, at the local level, we might also have some new laws. Joining us to look toward the future is Memphis political analyst Otis Sanford. Welcome back!

OTIS SANFORD: Thank you, Chris. It’s good to be back with you.

BLANK: I want to start with a column you wrote in the daily memphis recently, where he noted that Tennessee is not likely to turn blue or vote for Kamala Harris, even if tons of people in Shelby County come out to vote. So how do you defend those people who say, well, since I can’t win, why even play?

SANFORD: Well, because voting is sacred, especially to me. And that’s why it’s easy for me, even though I’m talking reality here and looking at the numbers: Republicans statewide outnumber Democrats. That is simply a reality. But that does not exempt anyone from their right – and I would say their obligation – to vote. And who knows? Disappointments have happened before. And while I don’t expect there to be any for the presidential race, there could be some unexpected changes in local elections.

BLANK: Early voting ended yesterday. Let’s talk about some of those numbers. On Tuesday, the totals were ahead of 2016, but behind 2020, the year of the pandemic. Did you think Harris was going to get a bigger turnout, at least at first?

SANFORD: Looking at the numbers now (and we have all the reports except Thursday, the last day), I’m not that disappointed with the turnout. We are only 69,000 fewer than in 2020. And remember, 2020 was a pandemic year. And turnout on Election Day was only 54,000 in 2020. I expect it to be close to 100,000 next Tuesday, probably even more than 100,000. And if that’s the case, we’ll probably make it to 2020. So I look at it differently. Yes, early voting has decreased, but it has done so because people wanted to vote early in 2020 during the pandemic to eliminate it.

BLANK: You know, one of the things we’ve talked about here is that there’s not much either candidate can say to change people’s minds right now. So, of course, that was all before Donald Trump’s rally in New York, where a comedian called Puerto Ricans trash. Then Joe, Biden called racist Trump supporters trash. Then Trump dressed like a garbage man. I feel like Halloween is running for president this year. You know, for normal people in America, just reasonable people, what do you think are the best closing arguments for each of these campaigns?

SANFORD: Well, let’s start with Trump. I think his best final argument – ​​and the one where I think he has been most consistent – ​​has been immigration and border security. That has been his daily bread. He’s tried to talk about economics, but he just can’t stay on message with all his other mistakes, including one the other day where he talked about being a protector of women whether they like it or not. That was very offensive. So the only thing he really has going for him right now is immigration. As for Harris, her bottom line message is clear: It’s about women’s health and their reproductive freedoms. She’s insisting on that. That message is resonating. Women are voting in droves, far outnumbering men. In addition, an improved economy helps. We have a record stock market. Inflation has gone down. Gas prices have dropped. She’s benefiting from that right now. But its final message, clearly, is about women’s reproductive health.

BLANK: We’re already hearing that the outcome of the presidential election could be challenged on Tuesday, especially if it’s close in those swing states. So what are you looking forward to Tuesday night? Will there be a concession speech from either party?

SANFORD: No, not from either party Tuesday night, and I don’t think we’ll ever get one from Donald Trump. I hope so though, Chris, and I may live to eat my words on this, but I hope that once all the votes are counted, Kamala Harris wins this election. And it probably won’t be as close as the polls say. She’s closing in tight. Trump approaches a state of confusion, almost comical. A few minutes ago you mentioned that he got on a garbage truck and put on a striped suit. I just think their strategy has worn thin here in the end. But he will never give in. They will argue and go to court alleging irregularities and fraud, but I predict Kamala Harris will win this election.