Staff Reports
In the run-up to the much-anticipated presidential debate featuring Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the battleground has proven to be a nail-biter, with polls showing a tight race not just nationally but also in critical swing states. This represents one of the most contentious contests in recent memory, with the stakes higher than ever. The underlying truth in such elections is simple: when the race becomes a referendum on a candidate, they’re likely to be on the losing end.
For Trump, the challenge was clear. He had to take control of the narrative by spotlighting Harris as an architect of the dismal Biden-Harris administration. With national sentiment generally leaning towards the idea that change is necessary, Trump needed to underscore that removing the Harris-Biden tag from America’s future was essential, portraying Harris as a vehemently far-left figure willingly misleading the American public about her current stances. Moreover, he had to reinforce the notion that her incompetence is legendary, as she has fumbled virtually every role she has taken on. Simply put, Trump needed to chip away at Harris’s illusion and reveal the truth behind her polished facade.
The Cipher and Her Praetorian Guard https://t.co/PlapSQCY8U
— Jim Sheehy (@JimSheehy1) September 12, 2024
Conversely, Harris had her work cut out for her. Instead of engaging with these criticisms, she needed to avoid them like the plague while simultaneously portraying herself as markedly different from President Biden. This required an act of professional acrobatics, convincing voters that she had somehow evolved into a moderate savior. She needed not just to deflect attacks but to establish a compelling narrative that she is no longer the awkward political entity known for her habitual word salad and cackling.
To further complicate matters, the moderators took it upon themselves to shield Harris from accountability. Their performance in what could easily be labeled the “greatest moderation fail” was nothing short of shocking. With glaring biases, they fact-checked Trump multiple times while conveniently overlooking Harris’s various misstatements. Their questions were clearly crafted to elicit rehearsed responses from Harris while Trump was pressed for details and clarification, creating a lopsided debate dynamic.
While Harris managed to appear somewhat composed amidst this controversy, she still failed to push back against the glaring questions about her policies and past actions. Instead, she rode the wave of support from her media enablers, but there’s a significant flaw in her strategy. Failing to appropriately redefine her identity and disconnect from the unpopular Biden administration leaves her in a lurch. Many might have left the debate thinking she handled herself well, but that doesn’t translate into the change she desperately needs to suggest she’s a moderate unifying force. The hard truth remains: even her best performance didn’t significantly alter the perception that she’s hardly the beacon of hope she claims to be.
Ultimately, many Americans are not fooled. They still need to carry a mountain of unanswered questions about Harris and her qualifications. And with two months left in the campaign, Trump has ample opportunity to keep those inquiries front and center, reminding voters of the stark contrast between himself and a past plagued by Democratic failures. The narrative is straightforward: the Biden-Harris administration has left a sour taste, and Harris’s attempt to mask those failures with the aid of biased moderators is unlikely to secure her a victory in the long run.
