Analyst Suggests Kamala Harris Should ‘Brush Off’ Trump with Grace in Upcoming Debate
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With the highly anticipated presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump just around the corner, a Washington Post political analyst has proposed a different strategy for Harris to take on Trump, contrasting previous face-to-face confrontations.
In his column, Matt Bai speculates that the Harris campaign might consider baiting Trump into one of his notorious fits of interruptions and insults. While such outbursts can generate viral moments and soundbites for Trump, Bai argues that this approach ultimately benefits the former president, allowing him to claim victory later on.
Reflecting on Harris’s performance at the Democratic National Convention, Bai noted her Trump-less acceptance speech, which resonated with voters and led to a boost in the polls. He suggests that Harris should continue this strategy during the debate, relegating Trump to the role of a “blathering prop” by paying him minimal attention.
Bai points out that some within Harris’s inner circle are advocating for open microphones, hoping that Trump will lose his composure and say something particularly unhinged while she speaks. However, Bai advises that Harris should focus on highlighting her own story and vision rather than making the debate about Trump and his potential antics.
“I’d put all my energy, instead, into embodying generational change and the modern American story, as she did so ably at the convention. Talk about your mixed race, your mother, your hope for all of our daughters,” Bai suggests. He further recommends that when Trump blusters, Harris should “brush him off gently like a cranky old neighbor who has forgotten to take his pills.”
Bai emphasizes that voters are not looking for contempt or moral grandstanding from Harris. Instead, they want a candidate who can respond to chaos with grace, warmth, humor, and confidence—qualities that he believes Trump lacks. “They want someone to get us unstuck from a long moment of useless fury,” Bai concludes.
As the debate approaches, Harris faces the challenge of balancing her responses to Trump while showcasing her own strengths, with the goal of winning over voters who are weary of the contentious political climate.
