Special Poll
Harris’s Debate Strategy: Getting Under Trump’s Skin
Vice President Kamala Harris’s approach during Tuesday night’s presidential debate is generating a lot of discussion. One tactic that stood out was how she repeatedly baited former President Donald Trump, provoking him to veer off-topic. She targeted his rallies, legal troubles, and even criticisms from world leaders, successfully diverting him from more important subjects like inflation.
Trump’s Responses: Off-Message and Emotional
Rather than focusing on attacking Harris on key issues, Trump found himself defending the size of his rallies and the enthusiasm of his supporters. At times, he seemed irritated and angry, even going off on a tangent about unverified claims regarding immigrants eating pets. Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons commented, “It’s like laying traps for a cat – he gets caught up and loses valuable time.”
Harris’s Camp Plans to Continue the Strategy
Harris’s campaign is likely to keep using this tactic, even if a second debate doesn’t happen. Following the debate, her team posted the full debate on social media to further bait Trump into engaging. They’re also planning to release ads highlighting her comments about Trump’s obsession with rally sizes, including one aimed at Trump’s Arizona stop featuring a billboard poking fun at his rally attendance.
Trump Team’s Reaction: Dismissing Harris’s Tactics
The Trump campaign sees Harris’s moves as signs of desperation, arguing that voters will ultimately choose Trump for his handling of the economy over Harris’s political style. They cite polls like one from the Pew Research Center showing 55% of voters have confidence in Trump’s economic policies, compared to 45% for Harris.
Harris’s Allies Feel Confident in the Debate Outcome
Democrats, on the other hand, believe that Harris’s performance was a success. They view her ability to confront Trump’s bombastic style and rhetoric as a fresh, direct approach that previous opponents have lacked. Longtime Democratic consultant Tracy Sefl praised Harris for calling out Trump’s falsehoods in a clear and pointed way, noting how Trump’s reactions during the debate showed he was rattled.
Examples of Harris’s Strategy in Action
During the debate, Harris often redirected questions back to Trump. For instance, when asked about President Biden’s immigration record, she quickly shifted the focus to Trump’s rallies, inviting viewers to attend one and observe people leaving early out of boredom. This kind of baiting kept Trump off balance, forcing him to defend himself rather than address the issues at hand.
Analysis of Trump’s Reaction
Republican strategist Susan Del Percio, who doesn’t support Trump, noted that Harris’s strategy put her in a position of strength. Trump, known for his inability to handle criticism well, appeared irate during the debate. Del Percio described Trump as “the classic bully,” saying Harris’s tactics have left her “living in his head rent-free.”
Harris’s Approach: Effective and Measured
Harris hasn’t gone too far with her jabs, unlike Trump’s more aggressive style, which some find off-putting. Instead, she has taken a playful approach, making light of Trump’s behavior without being too harsh. Del Percio said, “She’s not going for the jugular like Trump would. She’s having fun at his expense, and it’s something half of America has been waiting for.”
In the coming weeks, it’s expected that Harris’s team will continue to use this strategy, baiting Trump whenever the opportunity arises and reinforcing their message of contrasting visions for America. Meanwhile, Trump’s camp will likely continue to frame Harris’s actions as desperation, confident that their candidate’s policies, especially on the economy, will resonate with voters.