Just hours before what could be the only presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Republican allies of the former president are offering advice on how to handle the affair. Their advice varies, but there seems to be a common theme: Make it a question of politics.
[Republican consultant and Fox News contributor Ari] Fleischer’s advice to Trump is: “Put her in the crosshairs on policy. Just like you did with Biden in the first debate. That was a disciplined, tough, policy-oriented Donald Trump. I would like to see the same Donald Trump against Kamala Harris.”
[GOP strategist and Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt] Brooks stressed that “the differences in policy are clear and obvious. If we stick to our policies, it will be beneficial to the American people. That is what they are looking for and what they want to hear.”
That’s the right answer, of course. Trump has the advantage of being known. Harris? Even she doesn’t seem to know what her positions are on a number of issues at any given moment. “Confusing inconsistency” doesn’t seem like a good campaign strategy, but that seems to be exactly what the Harris/Walz campaign is aiming for.
Some other Trump allies also express their opinion:
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who has been seriously considered as a candidate for Trump’s 2024 vice presidency, told Fox News that the former president “doesn’t need my advice. He just needs to be himself.”
Tom Cotton of Arkansas also commented:
Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, another Trump ally and surrogate, stressed: “The American people know where President Trump stands. They know what they got when President Trump was president.”
Referring to the Vice President, Cotton accused Kamala Harris of “trying to run as a blank slate.”
Harris may try to run as a blank slate, but that probably won’t work. Her past is too much to bear, and she can’t separate herself from the many and obvious failings of the administration in which she has been second fiddle for nearly four years. The Biden/Harris administration was a disaster; Donald Trump knows this and has spoken at length on the subject. Expect that to be his focus on Tuesday.
See also: The final memo on the presidential debate
And once again, the only person in US history who has ever lost to Donald Trump gives us advice on how to defeat him
That’s a good thing, of course. In that regard, the closed-mic format could aid Trump, as it will force him to stay more focused and on track, allowing him to employ the time while Harris speaks to analyze her statements and think about how best to respond. It will also avoid the barbed comments that have been unfortunate distractions in previous debates. In fact, that’s why the Harris team wanted to return to an open-mic debate, in the hope that she might trip up Trump and provoke him into making a comment that the left could focus on and shout “sexist!” or “racist!”
The format in its current form favors Trump. And yes, Trump must pressure Harris on the issues where he shows the greatest strength – the economy, the border and crime.
Meanwhile, the usual suspects are still holding pearls and claiming Trump won’t show up. They’re wrong. As always.
See also: Nancy Pelosi projects: Claims Donald Trump could skip Tuesday’s debate out of “cowardice”
Stay tuned! There are only hours left until the spectacle begins.
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