Kamala Harris is tentatively scheduled to debate Donald Trump on ABC on September 10, 2024. Despite the fact that Harris received zero votes, has failed to hold a single press conference, and has refused to answer any difficult questions, she is now seeking to change the rules during the debate. Trump should not agree to these changes, which are nothing more than a desperate request for a lifeline by a failing campaign.
According to Fox News, "The Harris camp, after having already agreed to the CNN rules, asked for a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements.” These demands are not only ridiculous, but further bolster the point that Harris is unable to defend her record and has no working knowledge of the various important issues. As Trump spokesperson Jason Miller recently stated, "Enough with the games. We accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate."
Trump should not agree to these terms and should force Harris to answer questions on the fly and without notes. To date, Harris has not discussed her record and has hidden behind her enablers. Democrats and the various left-wing media mouthpieces have done their best to bolster her reputation within the party and among voters while simultaneously shielding her from scrutiny.
The role of the presidency requires quick thinking, a deep working knowledge of the issues, and the ability to answer difficult, substantive, and unscripted questions on the fly. A president must make quick decisions on significant and important issues. To do so, he/she must understand the relevant players, issues, and dynamics at play.
Trump has repeatedly shown an ability and willingness to do so. Harris, on the other hand, has not. The fact that she is now demanding notes indicates that she does not have a command of the various issues and is unable to discuss them in depth. This also explains why Harris has failed to give a single press conference or answer any difficult questions since she was improperly inserted as the Democrat nominee.
There is another, yet potentially more concerning reason why Trump should refuse to accept these new demands. Specifically, given ABC’s apparent anti-Trump sentiment, Trump has reason to question whether Harris will receive the questions ahead of time, take or prepare notes, and bring to the debate. While such “maneuvering” once seemed unheard of, it allegedly occurred not too long ago. If history is any indicator, many of the questions will likely be stacked against Trump and the moderators will likely be easier on Harris. It is not a coincidence that Harris has refused to debate Trump on other networks, including Fox News.
A debate between Trump and Harris is important, not because the candidates are in the same league (they are not!), but because Americans deserve to see how unqualified Harris is for the job she is seeking. They deserve to hear about her radical policies, her poor record, and how she specifically plans to help Americans. They must hear her explain in detail why she thinks her policies are better than Trump’s policies. After all, with early voting right around the corner, Harris has failed to lay out her policies or her agenda, and simply expects Americans to vote for her because she can allegedly dance and cackle on stage.
While Trump would benefit from a debate with Harris (in that he would expose her many weaknesses and deficiencies), he should not agree to the new terms. In essence, Harris is desperately seeking a lifeline to prevent her from sinking when she is forced to answer direct, difficult, and unscripted questions. Unlike Harris, Trump has consistently entered the lion’s den and fielded tough (and oftentimes inappropriate) questions from the media and/or moderators, such as the previous CNN town hall.
Harris, on the other hand, has not. Rather, she continues to hide and to allow her handlers to speak on her behalf. If Harris wants to debate Trump (in reality, she is terrified to do so!), she must agree to the original terms. Most significantly, she must pledge to answer unscripted questions on the fly and without notes.
In the meantime, Trump should continue to speak to the American people by way of rallies, town halls, social media posts and interviews (including X), and press conferences. By doing so, Trump can continue to lay out his vision for America, explain his policies in detail, speak to the American people from the heart, explain how he differs from Harris, and reaffirm why he is the best choice to save America.
Harris, on other hand, can continue to dance, cackle, and hide behind her handlers.
Mr. Hakim is an attorney and columnist. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, American Thinker, and other online publications. He has also appeared on OANN’s Tipping Point, Newsmax, Steadfast and Loyal Podcast with Allen West, The Dave Weinbaum Show, and Real America’s Voice. The views expressed herein are the author’s own and do not constitute legal advice.
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