The Rise of Political Nicknaming: A New Era in Democratic Discourse
In a bold move that has sparked considerable debate, Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota and the Democratic candidate for Vice President, recently labeled Republicans as “quirky.” This unexpected remark has set off a wave of similar strategies among fellow Democrats who have opted to adopt this type of name-calling in both media interactions and social media campaigns. Interestingly, Republicans have also taken up this “quirky” moniker against their counterparts. To delve into the significance and implications of such titling in contemporary politics, Brittany engages with NPR culture reporter Andrew Limbong alongside NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, focusing on how this tactic reshapes perceptions of what is considered ‘normal’ as we approach 2024.
(Image credit: Andrew Harnik; Natalie Behring / AFP)
