CNN's Jake Tapper Casts Doubt on Democrat's "New Chapter" Narrative with Harris as Incumbent VP

CNN's Jake Tapper questioned Sen. Cory Booker on Sunday about the Democratic branding of Vice President Harris' candidacy as a "new chapter," despite her current status as incumbent vice president.

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In a recent interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Sen. Cory Booker faced questions regarding the Democratic Party's efforts to present Vice President Harris' candidacy as a "new chapter" in American politics. Tapper posed the question of how Democrats could justify this narrative while Harris currently holds the position of vice president.

CNN's Jake Tapper Casts Doubt on Democrat's "New Chapter" Narrative with Harris as Incumbent VP

"Democrats have controlled the White House for 12 of the last 16 years. How can Democrats talk about a new chapter, turning the page? You guys are the ones writing the book," Tapper said during the interview.

The CNN host cited various statements made by Harris and other Democratic figures during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) that emphasized the idea of starting a "new chapter." However, Tapper pointed out that the Democrats have been in power for much of that time.

CNN's Jake Tapper Casts Doubt on Democrat's "New Chapter" Narrative with Harris as Incumbent VP

In response, Booker argued that the current political climate, particularly the influence of "MAGA Republicans" in Congress, necessitates a change in leadership. He asserted that these Republicans are obstructing pragmatic policies and that the Democrats must "finally kill that strain of the Republican Party."

Booker expressed his belief that this election could usher in a new era of cooperation and compromise, stating, "This is really a binary choice: are we going to have the politics of Donald Trump, which is smear and fear, denigration and demeaning, or are we going to have a page be turned in America where we get back to coming together, meeting in the middle, showing that we can compromise and actually get big things done as a nation."

CNN's Jake Tapper Casts Doubt on Democrat's "New Chapter" Narrative with Harris as Incumbent VP

CNN's Scott Jennings, however, presented a different perspective, suggesting that Harris' campaign message of change seems contradictory considering her current role in the White House.

"For all the talk about divisions and problems in the country and people are hurting, Democrats have mostly controlled this country.... and somehow it's still all [former President] Trump's fault, and somehow she hasn't been at the center of it," Jennings said.

Jennings' criticism highlights the potential disconnect between the Democratic Party's "new chapter" narrative and the current political reality. The question remains whether voters will embrace the idea of a fresh start while the incumbent vice president leads the Democratic ticket.

This debate underscores the fundamental challenge for the Democrats as they attempt to balance their messaging of continuity and change in the upcoming presidential election.