In a bold move aimed at exposing weaknesses in former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris’s team has proposed a significant change to the microphone rules for upcoming debates. The goal is to allow Trump to speak freely without the constraints that have previously curtailed his verbosity.
“Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” Kamala Harris famously declared during the 2020 debate with then-Vice President Mike Pence, as he attempted to interrupt her. This memorable retort sheds light on the latest twist in the presidential race.
On September 10, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to engage in a live debate with former President Donald Trump on ABC. As of August 26, Brian Fallon, Harris’s campaign spokesperson, has urged ABC to revise the debate rules. Instead of muting each candidate’s microphone alternately while the other speaks, Fallon suggests that the network should allow both candidates to be heard continuously throughout the debate.
This microphone muting rule was initially pushed by President Joe Biden’s team for the June CNN debate with Trump, intended to prevent the former president from interrupting Biden as he had during their 2020 debates. However, this strategy seemed to backfire, benefiting Trump more than anticipated. Trump remained relatively composed while Biden struggled with frequent verbal missteps, confusion, and lack of clarity. Donald Trump Jr. even praised the approach, noting, “It allowed my father to maintain control and focus,” he wrote.
Harris’s proposed change aims to shift the dynamics, potentially putting Trump at a disadvantage by forcing him to respond in real-time without the usual interruptions. This new approach could redefine the debate landscape and test Trump’s ability to maintain his composure under constant scrutiny.
It seems that Kamala Harris is keen on giving Donald Trump the freedom to speak his mind at any moment during the upcoming debate, aiming to present him to the audience as an unrestrained figure.
“Clearly, Harris’s campaign hopes to provide Trump the opportunity to ‘self-destruct’ by continuously interrupting his opponent or exposing his more abrasive traits,” notes Stephen Collinson, a CNN analyst.
Trump’s team is pushing back against this proposal. Jason Miller, a senior advisor to Trump, argues that the former president agreed to debate Harris on ABC under the same terms as his debate with Biden on CNN. Miller suggests that Harris’s change in strategy indicates that her preparation is encountering difficulties.
Trump values this debate highly, viewing it as potentially the best chance to undermine the momentum Harris has gained since replacing Biden and particularly following the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week. Both Trump and his campaign believe that Harris is unprepared to handle the pressure of answering policy questions and keeping up with an unpredictable opponent like Trump.
“Allowing open microphones throughout the debate will test Trump’s discipline at a time when strategists are urging him to focus on policy and abandon personal attacks, in hopes of benefiting his campaign,” adds Collinson.
Collinson further notes that Harris also aims to showcase her strength against Trump by reiterating her famous critiques from her debate with Pence four years ago.
Donald Trump’s attacks targeting the gender and race of his Democratic opponent could potentially alienate female voters, minority communities, and highly educated individuals. This voter demographic is crucial in the swing states for the upcoming November election.
If Trump fails to temper his rhetoric and becomes mired in personal attacks and interruptions, he might inadvertently bolster Harris’s narrative, which was prominently featured at the Democratic National Convention last week.
During her speech in Chicago, Harris framed the election as a choice between a path of “chaos and catastrophe” reminiscent of Trump’s presidency or a return to American values such as “freedom, opportunity, empathy, dignity, fairness, and boundless potential.”
She emphasized that Americans have a rare opportunity to move beyond bitterness, skepticism, and divisive conflicts.
“The Vice President wants Americans to see a Donald Trump unbound by constraints, as that’s what we would face if he were to return to the presidency. I think it’s crucial in this election and at this moment that the American people can clearly see the distinction between the two candidates on stage,” said Ian Sams, Harris’s campaign spokesperson.
Maria Cardona, CNN’s political commentator, suggests another potential reason for Harris’s desire for an open-mic debate. “She would be able to immediately refute any false claims made by her opponent,” Cardona explained.
However, an open-mic format carries risks for the Vice President as well.
In the 2016 election, Trump frequently attacked Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and interrupted her responses. While many believed this strategy was detrimental to the Republican candidate, others felt it showcased Trump’s aggressive and dominant persona. Ultimately, Trump won the presidency, despite many polls initially underestimating his chances of victory.
