Associated Press
From her earliest campaigns in California to her serving as President Joe Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris has honed an aggressive but calibrated approach to debates.
She tries to blend punch lines with details that build toward a broader narrative. She might shake her head to signal her disapproval while her opponent is speaking, counting on viewers to see her reaction on a split screen. And she has a go-to tactic to pivot debates back in her favor: saying she’s glad to answer a question as she gathers her thoughts to explain an evolving position or defend a past one.
Tuesday’s presidential debate will put the Vice President’s skills to a test unlike any she’s faced. Harris faces former President Donald Trump, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016, for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in November’s election starts around the country.
People who have competed against Harris and prepared her rivals say she brings a series of advantages to the matchup, even as they warn that Trump can be a challenging and unpredictable opponent who veers between policy critiques, personal attacks, and falsehoods or conspiracy theories.
“She can meet the moment,” said Marc Short, who led Republican Vice President Mike Pence’s debate preparation against Harris in the fall of 2020. “She has shown that in different environments. I would not underestimate that in any way.”
Julian Castro, a Democrat who ran for President against Harris in the 2020 primary, said Harris blended “knowledge, poise and the ability to explain things well” to stand out during crowded primary debates.
“Some candidates get too caught up with trying to be catchy, trying to go viral,” Castro said. “She’s found a very good balance.”
Balancing narrative and detail
A former Harris aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about her approach, said the Vice President views the events like a jury trial or querying a judicial nominee on Capitol Hill when she was a U.S. Senator. The idea, the former aide said, has always been to win the debate on merit while leaving more casual or piecemeal viewers with key takeaways.
“She understands that debates are about the individual interactions themselves but also about a larger strategy of offering a vision for what your leadership and style looks like,” said Tim Hogan, who led Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s 2020 primary debate preparation.
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a political communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said Harris makes deductive arguments but folds them into a broader narrative — the same way she would talk to a jury.
“She states a thesis and then follows with fact, fact, fact,” she said.
Jamieson pointed to the 2020 Vice Presidential debate in which Harris hammered Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, and to her most memorable 2019 primary debate when she skewered Biden for how he had talked about race and institutional racism. She weaved her critique of Biden’s record with her own biography as a young, biracial student in the early era of school integration.
“That little girl was me,” Harris said in a widely circulated quip that punctuated her story about court-ordered busing that helped non-white students attend integrated schools.
“Most people who are good at the deductive argument aren’t good at wrapping that with an effective narrative,” Jamieson said. “She’s good at both.”
Landing memorable punches
Castro said Harris has a good feel for when to strike, a quality he traced to her trial experience. In 2019, as multiple Democratic candidates talked over one another, Harris sat back before getting moderators to recognize her.
“Hey, guys, you know what? America does not want to witness a food fight. They want to know how we’re going to put food on their table,” she said, taking control of the conversation and drawing applause.
When Harris faced Pence in 2020, it was a mostly civil, substantive debate. But she got in digs that framed Pence as a serial interrupter, as Trump had been in his first debate with Biden.
“Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” she said at one point, with a stern look. At another: “If you don’t mind letting me finish, we can have a conversation.”
Finding traps in policy
Debates have sometimes put Harris on the defensive.
In the 2020 primary matches, Tulsi Gabbard, who this year has endorsed Trump, blitzed Harris over how aggressively she prosecuted nonviolent drug offenders as a District Attorney.
That fall, Pence made Harris sometimes struggle to defend Biden’s positions. Now, her task will be to defend not just Biden’s record, but her own role in that record and what policies she would pursue as president.
Short, one of Pence’s top aides, noted that Republicans and the media have raised questions about more liberal positions Harris took in her 2020 primary campaign, especially on fracking, universal healthcare, reparations for slavery and how to treat migrants who cross the U.S. border illegally.
“We were surprised that she missed some opportunities (against Pence) when the conversation was centered around policy,” Short said.
Timing, silence and nonverbal communication
One of Harris’ earliest debate triumphs came in 2010 as she ran for California Attorney General. Her opponent was asked about his plans to accept his public pension while still being paid a salary for a current public post.
“I earned it,” Republican Steve Cooley said of the so-called “double-dipping” practice.
Harris looked on silently, with a slightly amused look as Cooley explained himself. When moderators recognized her, she said just seven words – “Go for it, Steve. You earned it!” — in a serious tone but with a look that communicated her sarcasm. The exchange landed in her television ads within days.
“Kamala Harris is quite effective at nonverbal communication and knowing when not to speak,” Jamieson said.
The professor said Harris often will shake her head and, with other looks, telegraph her disapproval while her opponent is speaking. Then she smiles before retorting, or attacking, in a conversational tone.
“She defuses some of the argument that Trump makes that she is ‘a nasty woman,’ that she’s engaging in egregiously unfair behavior, because her nonverbal presentation is actually undercutting that line of attack,” Jamieson said.
Meeting a new challenge with Trump
For all of Harris’ debate experience, Tuesday is still a new and massive stage. Democrats who ordinarily tear into Trump instead appeared on Sunday’s news shows to make clear that Harris faced a big task ahead.
“It will take almost superhuman focus and discipline to deal with Donald Trump in a debate,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, yet another of Harris’ 2020 opponents, on CNN. “It’s no ordinary proposition, not because Donald Trump is a master of explaining policy ideas and how they’re going to make people better off. It’s because he’s a master of taking any form or format that is on television and turning it into a show that is all about him.”
Castro noted that Trump is “a nasty and crafty stage presence” who makes preparation difficult. And with ABC keeping the candidates’ microphones off when they are not speaking, Harris may not find it as easy to produce another viral moment that hinges on viewers having seen or heard Trump at his most outlandish.
“The best thing she can do,” Castro said, “is not get distracted by his antics.”
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
29 comments
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 7:07 am
What’s the over / under on Kammy’s two favorite phrases?
I’m speaking
Let’s be perfectly clear
Looking forward to the word salad tomorrow night. Popcorn will be ready. 🤣
Yrral
September 9, 2024 at 7:36 am
Trump is a serial criminal ,he should be tried like the criminal he is, people like you are the one that lack critical thinking,and are just gullible,a man like Trump is a serial pathological liar
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 7:45 am
You don’t think. You have to ask the google machine for all of your answers. Now have another cup of zombie juice. 🤣
rick whitaker
September 9, 2024 at 9:18 am
MAGA MARK, yarrl stated a broadly known fact and you rejected it and spewed a childish comment at him. do you see why everyone on this site it annoyed with you for being so childish and deceitful.
otoh
September 9, 2024 at 10:44 am
Name calling and ad hominems..that’s all you’ve got.
You need something to say about The Convicted Felon. Google Trump’s Project 2025 plan. Google Trump admits he lost in 2020. Are you a Christian? Google which values he shares with Christ, or which commandments he’s not contemptuous of.
Meantime, another Harris phrase you better get used to hearing:
WE’RE NOT GOING BACK!
rick whitaker
September 9, 2024 at 9:23 am
MAGA MARK, you seem to hang on every word and action of president harris. you are infatuated with her in an obvious love/ hate dichotomy. you’re pitiful dude.
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 11:10 am
Ha! Ha! There he is. You and angry Joe could be brothers. You definitely have anger management issues. Is that a low self esteem thing? 😜
rick whitaker
September 9, 2024 at 9:46 am
MAGA MORON, “let’s be perfectly clear” is a phrase made to let the listener know that an important fact is coming next. you don’t accept facts as facts, so i can see why that phrase bothers you. “i’m speaking” is what a good speaker has to say to rude interrupters who don’t want to hear the truth. again, no wonder you dislike that. the truth is your enemy and lies are your ally. what a pitiful existence.
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
September 9, 2024 at 7:17 am
Good Morn ‘Ting America,
The above article is A. P.’s way of telling America this:
“While everyone is fully aware that Kammie has “DOOK 4 BRAINS” wont you just Please ….. Please ….. Pretty Please vote for her???
OK THATS ALL WE GOT:
Thank you “The A. P.”,
America, this “Golden Nugg” of “Sage Wisdom” by ELVIS [FKA EARL]
Yrral
September 9, 2024 at 7:39 am
Your could not give wisdom to a rock,let along it too any kind of thing with cognitive thoughts
rick whitaker
September 9, 2024 at 9:31 am
EARL SHITTS, the AP owns a spot in your pea brain. you would do well to let the AP be your guide, but of course you stubbornly won’t. earl, you are so predictable. you simply can not handle the fact that you are yesterdays news.
PeterH
September 9, 2024 at 8:42 am
Convicted felon Donald Trump has absolutely nothing to gain from this “debate” ….. his MAGA supporters have solidified and his blustering incoherent narrative doesn’t present any new opportunities to expand his political base. Like himself, Trump’s self-serving hateful whining is old, worn out and tired. He’s been ‘campaigning to stay out of prison’ for four years. We are all very familiar with his lies and strategy. As Trump’s former deceased lawyer Roy Cohn once said: “No public man can indefinitely survive in the center of a controversy.” This one statement will be predictive of Trump’s and hopefully MAGA’s rapid decline.
Every day prominent Republicans and Independent voters are announcing their intentions to vote for Harris-Walz ticket. Voting in the USA is still a private affair ….. many Americans like myself who haven’t been impacted by the endless Republican hand-wringing about inflation, tiny increases in gasoline prices or the predictable turbulent exit from Afghanistan …… will vote for America’s continued economic growth and come to realize that our great nation’s economy is the envy of every country on planet earth.
In closing, this “gathering Trump storm” has become meaningless and Republicans should prepare themselves for a blue tsunami for the foreseeable election cycles. That Project 2025 will not be going away …… and it will be a chain around the neck of every Republican in the midterms and 2032! Register to vote….. and vote!
Dont Say FLA
September 9, 2024 at 11:08 am
Turnip J Truck could potentially parlay his experience actually facing a prosecutor into taking a risk and taking the stand in his own defense in his various and sundry criminal trials
Michael K
September 9, 2024 at 10:15 am
The Trump strategy: Lie, bully, bluster, whine, and personal insults.
I’ve never seen him give a straight answer to a question in a debate, and the media usually gives him a pass.
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 11:37 am
But it’s fine for Kammy to change her position on everything right? No wonder people call her the chameleon. Trump needs to press her on the last four years. She can’t run away from it even though you and the other Pelosi pom pom shakers have amnesia.
PeterH
September 9, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Smart intelligent people change direction when they completely understand the dynamics of their country’s priorities. The USA Obama-Biden-Harris economy is the envy of the world’s citizens. Which country would you rather live in?
JD
September 9, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Changing your mind to a different position is different than changing your lie so you win the emotion of a person.
But please, show us some of “Kammy’s” “Chameleon” behaviors? I’ve not seen the press once call her that either.
Trump cannot run away from his lies because he’s been convicted of them, even you and other zombie cultist pom-pom shakers have amnesia (or zero morals and keep giving Trump a pass).
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 2:49 pm
How about fracking? How about the southern border? How about single payer healthcare? Amnesia runs strong here.
JD
September 9, 2024 at 4:37 pm
Fracking? Harris opposed it during the primaries but shifted when Biden’s platform supported it—adapting to policy, not flip-flopping. The southern border? She’s always been about humane reform, but as VP, she’s addressing immediate crises. Single-payer healthcare? She supported Medicare for All but later moved to a public option, recognizing political realities. Evolving on complex issues isn’t “amnesia”—it’s called governing.
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 10:23 pm
She will say and do whatever it takes to get elected. Just admit it. Stop with the BS.
JD
September 10, 2024 at 6:55 am
LOL. Sounds like you got some cognitive dissonance happening there. Let’s be real—politicians adjust their positions based on the realities of the job, not just to win votes. It’s called pragmatism. If you want leaders who never evolve, you’re asking for someone out of touch with changing circumstances. Sticking to rigid talking points sounds more like BS to me.
Tom
September 10, 2024 at 8:08 am
All politicians running for office will say what they need to get elected. That’s kinda the point. For all the commentary on her evolving opinions / flip flopping, she’s not even in the same ballpark as trump who literally and knowing lies then changes his lies a few hours later after his handlers point out how ridiculous he looks. That having been said, you spend a lot of time ragging on Harris but I’ve not heard any full throated defense of trump? What’s going on there? Buyer’s remorse?
rick whitaker
September 11, 2024 at 5:41 pm
MAGA MARK, mark you are a woman hating punk. no, desantis and scott will say anything to get elected. you are always wrong, i can count on that. florida is a good place for you. harris is going to be the next cic, so you better be respectful you little weasel.
rick whitaker
September 11, 2024 at 5:48 pm
MAGA MARK, how about you being a racist, how about you being a woman hater, how about you being a broke idiot, how about you being a political caveman, how about you being so scared that you hide behind a fake name, how about you being an easy mark that will believe any lie he’s told, how about you not knowing jack-shit about anything you talk about. easy mark, you’re pitiful.
Michael K
September 9, 2024 at 1:16 pm
She prefers Mother Russia.
Speaking of chameleons – who changed their name four times? Hint: He’s the most unpopular VP candidate in modern history – even less popular than Sarah Palin.
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Unpopular with you. JD Vance is a sharp guy. He can actually field questions and think on his feet. No need for five day preps and avoiding the media like the chameleon does.
Michael K
September 9, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Name one legislative accomplishment from the Senator JD Hamel, Bowden, Vance who has been in office for only a few months. Just one.
Alexa is Biased
September 9, 2024 at 4:03 pm
Back at you. What has Kammy done after nearly four years and a definite flunking grade on the border? Word salad? Giggling? What?
rick whitaker
September 11, 2024 at 5:52 pm
MAGA MARK, i’ll answer that question for you. harris has worked herself into the whitehouse this time as president, not vp. she has beat everyone in the country to the very top. is that not enough for you. you fool.
Comments are closed.