Staff Reports
A recent dive into the political waters has revealed a nugget of wisdom: combat in the political arena requires strategy, not just bravado. With Vice President Kamala Harris now solidly positioned as the Democrats' leading lady in the upcoming presidential race, the prevailing advice seems clear: campaign as if you are down ten points, even when you aren't. However, merely throwing punches without foresight is as futile as trying to row a boat upstream without paddles.
In a scene that could only be described as a masterclass in political acumen, conservative commentator Collin Rugg recently dropped a truth bomb about Harris, suggesting her career trajectory exemplifies how some women ascend the ranks through less-than-stellar means. While the comment reflects a certain brutal honesty, it begs the question: is it wise? Wise or not, one undoubted truth prevails—insulting Harris's personal life is about as effective as throwing spaghetti at a wall and hoping something sticks.
From a PR perspective, the worst thing in the world a DUDE can do is dabble in Real Housewives soap opera stuff.
You may think it's policy based – she can't understand parenting, raising kids blah blah – but you've walked into a dark forest, and you ain't got a map.
Stay out. https://t.co/Ej8i5vSwTT
— FilmLadd (@FilmLadd) July 23, 2024
Political strategy expert Film Ladd offered an astute observation that men on the right should refrain from targeting Harris's past if they want to maintain their credibility with women voters. It is crucial to consider the audience's perspective. Instead, it's suggested that women are much better positioned to slice the cake when it comes to exposing the flaws of other women. From the plan of attack to strategic execution, the art of political warfare can involve holding back the boys and letting the ladies take the gloves off.
Ladd's perspective on what constitutes an effective political approach can be likened to the biblical lesson of casting stones. Men wading into discussions about a woman's questionable past may inadvertently create sympathies among female voters, who might just look around and think, "Why is he picking on one of our own?" Meanwhile, the Democrats would joyfully shove aside any real discussions about failures like Bidenomics or foreign policy blunders. A failure to engage with real issues might prove just as detrimental as Hail Marys meant to score cheap shots.
The arrival of Harris's policies on the political chessboard should be central to any campaign against her. This focus is crucial. Distracting oneself with commentary on her past could risk alienating women who are more concerned about rising costs at the grocery store than an exposé on Kamala's romantic alignments. The everywoman, be it the hard-working housewife or the single professional, has her hands full with economic concerns—not sitting down for a moral debate about the Vice President's dating history.
The political landscape is without its fair share of metaphorical heavyweights, and Republicans should be readying themselves for the final round. Channelling the spirit of Rocky Balboa against Clubber Lang, the strategy is clear: sidestep the squabbles of personal attacks and instead deliver knockout punches focused on policy failures. Highlighting Harris' lackluster record and voting history can not only level the playing field but shake foundations and sway opinions, rather than simply sending messages about personal lives that can ultimately backfire. Harris has certainly carved a niche in word salad and rhetoric. For any true conservative, the mission remains clear—political jabs should focus on her inadequacies in office and not on any tales that can easily be flipped into sympathy votes.
