Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has labeled herself and her running mate, Tim Walz, “joyful warriors.”

It’s an apt phrase (though not an entirely original once, as the 1924 Democratic presidential candidate, Al Smith, was dubbed the “Happy Warrior”). Since President Joe Biden removed himself from the 2024 race and endorsed Harris on July 21, she has measurably brightened the country’s mood and, with it, the Democratic ticket’s chances of victory.

Harris and Walz really seem to be enjoying themselves as they barnstorm the countryside, smiling broadly and laughing with gusto at campaign rallies. On the other hand, their opponents, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, often appear to be scowling or glowering — their smiles, at best, compressed sardonic grins.

Politicians invariably promise to campaign “on the issues.” It’s a high-minded notion, but hardly accurate. Elections are more about feelings than rationality.

Presidential campaigns, in particular, are designed less to educate the electorate or promote policy agendas than to evoke emotions, preferably positive ones. The candidate who can capture the public imagination by exuding joy, emanating energy, demonstrating compassion, and conjuring hope for a brighter future, stands the best chance of winning. Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were all masters of the art. Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden and Donald Trump not so much.

Perhaps the best example of the difference between the two campaign styles was the historic Kennedy-Nixon campaign of 1960. Nixon, a seasoned politician and vice-president for eight years under Dwight Eisenhower, was every bit as qualified for the presidency as Kennedy, probably more so. He was highly intelligent, competent, articulate and driven. Yet, he appeared dour and ill at ease, particularly on the new medium of television, when compared to the ever-smiling, affable, confident Kennedy. As a result, Kennedy, against the odds, eked out a victory.

Scientists have identified four hormones (chemicals produced by the endocrine system) that are associated with happiness. Dopamine is a “feel-good” hormone whose levels are elevated by proper diet, adequate sleep, meditation and music. Serotonin, a mood elevator, is increased by exercising, eating certain foods and exposure to light. Endorphins, which give a sense of well-being, are released by exercise and laughter. Oxytocin, the “love” hormone that promotes social bonding and trust, is boosted by social connection, affection and sharing.

Negative feelings have been linked to abnormally low levels of these hormones. They have also been linked to excessive amounts of cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in stressful situations in response to actual or perceived threats. Cortisol can contribute to anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

Unfortunately a cognitive quirk of the human brain — a perverse streak of pessimism — tends to create the perception of threats where none, in fact, exist. This can result in the secretion of cortisol, causing needless misery.

Contrary to reality and often at odds with their own personal experience, people are apt to have a pessimistic belief that their society — whether gauged by the economy, crime, health, drug abuse, immigration, terrorism or other variables — is in a state of decline. Thanks to our predilection for bad news, the news media’s preference for covering it, and social media’s business model for magnifying it, such individual pessimism can quickly coalesce into a collective foul mood.

The American economy is booming, unemployment is at record lows, wages are on the rise, and interest rates on the decline. Yet, as recently as a year ago, a national poll found that over 2/3 of Americans believed the country was “off on the wrong track.” Such feelings are the drivers of negative campaigning.

Yet voters also crave the flood of warm feelings that flow from the energy, hopefulness and sense of togetherness produced by a “joyful warrior” political campaign. And in the yin and yang of politics, weariness over negative campaigns eventually leads to the appearance of positive ones. Hence the instant success of the Harris-Walz ticket.

To be sure, there are other reasons for the burst of support for Harris and Walz.

The American people had already made it abundantly clear, in poll after poll, that they wanted younger presidential candidates than Biden, age 81, and Trump, age 78. Harris, who is 59 and looks even younger, and Walz, 60, fit the bill. Biden wasn’t just old in years, he looked and acted aged. His voice had become reedy, his gait halting, his countenance mask-like, and his eyes hooded, giving the appearance of someone afflicted with Parkinson’s. This created serious public concern as to whether he would be fit for the job even if he won the election. Harris, by contrast, bounds, more than walks, speaks loudly, clearly and emphatically, and laughs uproariously. Her running mate is even more effervescent.

Just as important, many voters, regardless of party or political orientation, were simply fed up with Trump. His appalling lack of respect for human dignity, democratic institutions, and the rule of law made him intolerable even to a lot of Republican stalwarts. But without an alternative candidate who they could at least tolerate, he seemed the only choice — that is, until Biden bowed out.

Still, though polls show Harris now ahead or tied with Trump in most swing states, the race remains tight and there’s 72 days left until the election, plenty of time for seismic changes either way.

But my bets are on “laughing Kamala,” as Trump has taken to derogatorily calling her, to win.

Voters are hungry for a candidate who brightens their mood by laughing out loud (“LOL”). Harris does that naturally and often. Trump doesn’t even know how.

Elliott Epstein is a trial lawyer with Shukie & Segovias in Lewiston. His Rearview Mirror column, which has appeared in the Sun Journal for 17 years, analyzes current events in an historical context. He is also the author of “Lucifer’s Child,” a book about the notorious 1984 child murder of Angela Palmer. He may be contacted at [email protected]