At the start of her first speech with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris declared, “Thank you for bringing back the joy.” This set the tone for the Democratic ticket, branding themselves as “joyful warriors” in stark contrast to former President Donald Trump’s pessimistic outlook on the future.

Harris and Walz are promoting a sunnier outlook, emphasizing the idea that voters can be inspired to support a candidate rather than just casting their ballot against the other side. The Trump campaign, however, argues that their candidate reflects the grim mood of the nation and dismisses the idea that a shift towards a more positive attitude will sway the election.

Recent polling shows that the majority of Americans harbor feelings of pessimism about the state of politics and believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. Despite this, Walz continues to spread positivity and focus on uplifting messages during campaign events.

While Harris and Walz still criticize Trump on various issues, they maintain a hopeful and optimistic tone, aiming to engage voters with positivity rather than fear. Their message revolves around unity, kindness, and progress, rather than divisiveness and negativity.

Harris believes in the power of positive politics, offering Americans a sense of hope and excitement about the future. By choosing Walz as her running mate, Harris hopes to engage the electorate in a more uplifting and constructive dialogue.

Trump’s campaign, on the other hand, seeks to capitalize on the current mood of the country, emphasizing economic uncertainties, border issues, and international turmoil. Trump’s rhetoric often veers into apocalyptic predictions, while emphasizing his role as the savior of the nation.

The upcoming election will test whether positivity or pessimism resonates more with voters. Harris and Walz advocate for a message of hope and empowerment, contrasting with Trump’s narrative of doom and gloom. Ultimately, the choice between joy and fear may determine the outcome of the election.