Staff Reports
Kamala Harris’s frantic attempts to reshape the rules for the upcoming ABC News debate have revealed a sense of dread that even her most skilled spin doctors cannot mask. After weeks of asserting that any alterations to the pre-existing rules would be a cowardly move on Donald Trump’s part, Harris is facing a self-induced crisis. Apparently, her confidence is more fragile than it appears, as she now pushes to eliminate the sound-muting feature that prevented candidates from shouting over each other during debates.
The issue stems from the original agreement made under Biden’s campaign, which stipulated that microphones would be muted for candidates until it was their turn to speak. This rule was designed to uphold a semblance of decorum in a political climate that too often resembles a kindergarten playground. However, Harris’s newfound desire for “uncensored” exchanges smacks of desperation, suggesting that she fears her own ability to articulate a coherent argument when the spotlight is on her.
And this is 💯 why https://t.co/9u0tuLmjEU
— Dave McTooterson (@DCornpop) August 26, 2024
For weeks, Team Harris was quick to label Trump as “scared” for contemplating a revision of the previously agreed-upon rules. Ironically, they are now the ones scrambling to redefine the terms of engagement to better suit their needs. While Trump proceeded to accept the original debate structure without reservation, Harris’s camp has hesitated to commit to any platforms not deemed friendly, like Fox News. It’s almost as if they’re playing a game of chess but keep switching the rules with every move.
The media, predictably, has complied with Harris’s narrative, framing her as a bold overseer of debate terms, unaware of the hypocrisy staring them in the face. If the debate was truly settled, why all the last-minute maneuvering? The memes and social media clips arising from a heated exchange with Trump clearly have her team thinking that a viral moment could save her sinking ship. The infamous “I’m speaking” moment might be just the propaganda boost they crave, hoping to outwit Trump in a style-over-substance showdown.
Ultimately, this is a maneuver drenched in fear and a lack of confidence in her debating skills. Harris’s insistence on mic rule revisions reflects a blatant disconnection from the reality of how serious debates operate. ABC News should tread carefully to avoid further sullying its reputation by yielding to such questionable antics from the Harris camp. Engaging in a rule-bending choreographed spectacle would only serve to discredit whatever vestiges of integrity the network claims to possess. If this is a reflection of her readiness for the big stage, it seems the Vice President would rather craft a narrative than confront the reality of her inadequacies head-on.
