Reuters released a news report on September 10th. During the 2016 presidential debates, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, made derogatory remarks towards his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. He referred to her as a “nasty woman” and questioned her suitability for the role of commander-in-chief, commenting on her appearance and stamina.
The upcoming nationally televised debate on Tuesday is expected to be pivotal in the closely contested race between President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. With the election just eight weeks away, this face-to-face meeting between the two candidates can shape the race’s outcome.
Trump has made several derogatory comments targeting Harris, with a focus on race and gender. In a recent statement, the former president made a false claim about Harris, suggesting that her identity as a Black person is a recent development. It is important to note that Harris is both Black and South Asian. A vulgar online message suggesting she used sex to advance her career was reposted by him. In a barrage of insults, he targeted her with derogatory remarks that perpetuated stereotypes about women and Black individuals. He labeled her as “weak,” “dumb as a rock,” and “lazy.”
According to interviews with eight pollsters, debate and political experts, and Black activists, deploying those attacks in front of tens of millions of viewers, along with Harris’ response, would pose risks for both candidates. In June, the debate between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden attracted an impressive audience of over 51 million TV viewers.
According to John Geer, a professor at Vanderbilt University and an expert on presidential politics, Trump’s insults have the potential to alienate important voter groups such as women, Black voters, and moderates. “That rhetoric is likely to turn them off,” he remarked.
According to Ford O’Connell, a Republican strategist, the ongoing competitiveness of the race indicates that Trump’s criticisms have not resulted in a loss of support.
Harris, poised to make history as the first Black woman and South Asian American to serve as president, confronts a complex political landscape on Tuesday.
If she continues to dismiss Trump’s attacks on the debate stage, just as she has done on the campaign trail, some may perceive her as lacking the resolve to defend herself. Engaging with Trump’s rhetoric could entangle her in the contentious world of mudslinging that he so often revels in. This could open her up to accusations, whether warranted or not, that she is leveraging her race and gender for personal gain.
According to Kelly Dittmar, the director of research for Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics, an overly strong reaction could potentially reinforce the stereotype of an angry Black woman.
“If Kamala were to address this issue, concerns may be raised about her potentially invoking the race and gender dynamics.” “Dittmar said,”
“I am speaking”
Harris faces the added task of handling Trump’s criticisms while simultaneously introducing herself to voters who are still unfamiliar with her since her unexpected entrance into the race seven weeks ago.
According to a recent national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, 28% of likely voters expressed a desire for more information regarding Harris. In contrast, opinions on Trump seemed to be firmly established.
According to campaign sources, Harris will try to avoid engaging in personal exchanges, instead focusing on provoking Trump to make offensive comments likely to gain widespread attention.
Harris, a former prosecutor, can convey a nuanced message regarding Trump’s attacks without directly labeling them as racist or sexist. In the 2020 vice presidential debate against Mike Pence, she skillfully handled his interruptions by calmly asserting, “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.” This decisive moment quickly gained traction and became a viral sensation.
Dittmar praised the approach taken to address the issue of men speaking over women, highlighting its effectiveness.
During a recent radio interview, Harris confidently expressed her readiness to handle Trump’s tactics.
During an interview with “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” she expressed her opinion that Trump’s actions are reminiscent of a worn-out and outdated strategy. “There seems to be no limit to how far he is willing to sink.”
During a press call on Monday, Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman advising Trump in preparation for the debate, stated that the former president intends to highlight Harris’ record and address her like he addressed Biden.
Gabbard stated that President Trump treats women respectfully and does not need to be condescending or speak to them differently than he would speak to men.
Despite calls from advisers and fellow Republicans to moderate his tone and focus on the issues, Trump has remained steadfast in his approach, asserting, “I have to do it my way,” during a press conference.
Personal Attack
However, the ex-president needs to develop a compelling criticism of Harris. Unlike Clinton, she doesn’t carry the weight of years of political baggage. Since taking charge of Biden’s struggling reelection campaign, Harris has generated enthusiasm among Democrats.
According to Evan Roth Smith, the pollster for the Democratic research firm Blueprint, a recent poll conducted in late July revealed that personal attacks targeting Kamala Harris based on her race, gender, or family were deemed “incredibly unproductive” among all voter groups, including independents.
According to Smith, criticisms that center around immigration and economic policies or depict Harris as a California liberal have been subject to testing and evaluation.
The firm also explored potential counterarguments to criticisms centered around Harris’ race and gender. Characterizing Trump’s remarks as a mere diversion from his “extreme” agenda proved to be a more impactful response than resorting to labeling him as racist.
According to Andra Gillespie, a professor at Emory University who specializes in African American politics, specific attacks by Trump, such as questioning Harris’ Blackness, are baseless and do not warrant a direct response from Harris.
“The incident sparked widespread disbelief and garnered strong reactions from those present,” she said. There was no need for her to utter a single word.
According to Aaron Kall, a debate expert at the University of Michigan, underestimating Trump would be a mistake. Kall says Trump has demonstrated his prowess as a debater by effectively countering more seasoned adversaries with quick-witted responses and unexpected transitions. He has also leveraged his experience as a reality TV personality to captivate the audience.
“According to Kall, he is possibly the most skilled debater when it comes to counter-punching,” he said. “He challenges individuals to move beyond their rehearsed responses.” His language is relatable, and he speaks in a way that resonates with undecided voters. He has a keen understanding of the issues that voters are concerned about.
