Kamala Harris and her campaign team have been forced to rewrite their debate playbook ahead of her upcoming face-off with Donald Trump. Originally, Harris planned to challenge and fact-check Trump directly during their debate. However, with the newly finalized rules that will mute the candidates’ microphones when their opponent is speaking, Harris’s team is scrambling to adjust their approach.
Harris’s Original Plan Thwarted by New Debate Rules
Harris and her advisers, who have been conducting an intense multi-day debate camp in Pittsburgh, initially hoped to capitalize on Harris’s prosecutorial background by confronting Trump with pointed questions. This approach mirrored her aggressive questioning style used during Senate hearings with Trump’s Supreme Court nominees and Cabinet members. However, the new debate format, agreed upon by President Joe Biden’s team earlier this summer, will prevent Harris from employing this tactic as effectively.
Four campaign officials expressed frustration over what they describe as Harris being “handcuffed” by the rules. They argue that Trump’s tendency to snap under pressure could have worked in Harris’s favor. “Trump’s worst moments in the debates are when he gets upset and snaps,” said an aide from Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign. “And they have neutered that.”
Mixed Reactions from Democrats on the Rule Changes
Some Democratic strategists believe that the Harris campaign’s complaints are part of a broader gamesmanship strategy aimed at managing expectations for Tuesday’s debate in Philadelphia. Others, however, suggest that Harris’s relative inexperience in national general election debates could make her vulnerable to the new rules.
One Democratic strategist noted that the muted microphones could potentially throw Harris off balance. “She could get thrown off by [the muted mics],” they said, adding that Harris might have a set response prepared, where she could turn to the camera and make a point about Trump trying to talk over her.
Psychological Warfare or Genuine Concern?
Democratic operatives like David Axelrod believe the Harris campaign’s complaints could also be aimed at getting into Trump’s head. “What the [Harris] team is saying is that Trump’s campaign does not trust him to control himself,” Axelrod said. “I don’t think Trump likes to be depicted as someone being handled.”
Jason Miller, Trump’s senior adviser, responded by pointing out that the Harris campaign had agreed to the rules earlier in the summer. He emphasized that voters want to hear both candidates’ visions without distractions.
Harris’s Team Forced to Adjust
As Harris’s team scrambles to adjust, they are frustrated that the debate rules were inherited from the Biden campaign. One insider noted that these rules were designed for Biden, who they claim needed more protection on the debate stage than Harris.
Despite the challenges, Harris has benefited from other aspects of Biden’s political legacy, including inheriting a well-organized campaign. Still, her team fought hard to reverse the muted microphone rule, but ultimately, they accepted it.
Brian Fallon, Harris’s senior communications adviser, argued that the rule “fundamentally disadvantaged” Harris and shielded Trump from direct exchanges with the vice president.
Debate Preparations Underway
Harris has been preparing for the debate with a team led by attorney Karen Dunn and longtime policy expert Rohini Kosoglu. Several 90-minute mock debates have been scheduled, with Philippe Reines, a former Clinton aide, standing in as Trump. Harris is known for over-preparing for major events, and her advisers are ensuring that she stays focused on key issues rather than getting bogged down in details.
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