Donald Trump is preparing to confront Kamala Harris on her record as Vice President, California Attorney General, and San Francisco District Attorney in their upcoming debate. The debate, scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern in Pittsburgh, will be a critical moment for both candidates.
In a press call ahead of the debate, the Trump campaign emphasized that Harris would need to “defend her record” over the past few years. “Kamala Harris not only has to defend her record as vice president, but it’s also really her record as president, as co-president, because she’s the one running the country,” stated Senior Trump campaign advisor Jason Miller on Monday.
According to The New York Times, Harris faces the challenge of “pushing ahead without leaving Biden behind.” However, the Trump team intends to anchor her to President Biden as much as possible. Miller reiterated that Harris would need to address not only her performance as Vice President but also her record as California’s Attorney General and San Francisco’s District Attorney.
When asked about what a successful debate would look like for Trump, Congressman Matt Gaetz remarked that it would be a good night if Trump could “tie Kamala Harris to her record.” He added, “That’ll be success because the American people will see what a dangerous radical liberal she is.”
The Times similarly noted that the main vulnerability for Harris lies in being perceived as an extension of Biden, given that many voters are seeking change. At the same time, appearing too aligned with Trump on certain policies, such as immigration, could also pose a challenge for her.
The Trump campaign also hinted that Harris might not be fully prepared for some of the topics that could arise during the debate. “Right now, you have Kamala Harris, who’s in this debate boot camp, being drilled by new advisors who worked for President Obama that she doesn’t know,” Miller stated. “She has binders full of details trying to figure out what’s been happening at the Department of Labor for the past three and a half years, trying to explain where those 800,000 jobs went.”
Miller further suggested that Harris might be stressed on the debate stage, trying to recall all the information she has been cramming in preparation. “President Trump is going to be himself,” Miller said, when asked if Trump would adopt a “different tone” while debating Harris instead of Biden.
With both candidates gearing up for a critical showdown, the debate is set to be a defining moment in the 2024 presidential race.
