celebrity endorsements, a post-script

the chances of negative polarization are low but never zero

Taylor endorsed about a month before I thought she would—and it drove a lot of voter registration, which is great. Given that Harris / Walz friendship bracelets were instantly for sale, I would guess this endorsement was pretty carefully timed, giving Harris an additional post-debate boost.

And Taylor’s statement is good. As always, she knows how to treat the reader like a peer instead of somebody who is beneath her; so she says, I did my research and here’s my conclusion, but you should do your research and come to yours (and make sure you’re registered to vote). It’s a message addressed from one adult to other adults. And it puts the emphasis where Taylor really does have a lot of influence—driving up voter registration.

All of this basically fits with what I already thought would happen when she eventually endorsed. It doesn’t mean she can hand the electi…