Staff Reports
Kamala Harris has finally waved the white flag and accepted the rules set forth by ABC News for the upcoming debate against Donald Trump on September 10. This comes after a fair amount of tug-of-war over the network’s stipulation that candidates’ microphones will be muted while the other is talking. She initially seemed to push back, claiming that both candidates should have their microphones on at all times. Apparently, the thought of actually being interrupted while making her case was a bit too daunting for her campaign team.
In a cleverly defensive move, Harris’s campaign emphasized that she is somehow at a “fundamental disadvantage” with the muted microphones. This screams desperation considering it’s basically an admission that they worry Trump may have the upper hand in a fair debate format. In a letter to ABC, the team was quick to remind everyone that Trump has previously hinted at skipping debates entirely if he doesn’t get his way. So it seems the dynamic duo of Biden and Harris knows that playing nice is the better option for their survival in this political arena.
ABC News rejects Kamala Harris’ last-minute bid to change Trump debate rules, will keep muted mics- pic.twitter.com/eiaI8H431V
— Blanche Victoria (@tammytabby) August 29, 2024
Meanwhile, Trump, who has made a habit of verbally sparring with opponents during debates—creating some of the most memorable (read: meme-worthy) moments in recent political history—has also shown a preference for keeping microphones live. In fact, one of the highlights of his previous debates was telling Biden to stop yapping when he was rambling on and on. Of course, last June’s debate versus Biden showed how much the muted setup benefited Trump. Biden tripped over his own words while Trump had the chance to appear composed and coherent, which turned out to be quite a striking contrast.
Harris’s new acceptance of the ABC rules feels like a last-minute scramble to adjust the narrative as she aims for her moment in the spotlight. With her recent election victories and dramatic rise in the Democratic Party, she’s under pressure to prove she can go toe-to-toe with Trump. The decision to keep the debate format the same as it was with Biden suggests ABC is setting the stage for yet another Trump showdown—like a community theater set in the Wild West, with one cowboy and a bunch of inexperienced wannabes.
The upcoming debate, which will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, promises 90 minutes of drama, commercial breaks, and the fabled “civilized discussion” enforced by moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis. One can only imagine what Harris is hoping for in this upheaval. As Trump walks into the arena with a clear advantage in debate-style boxing, Harris needs more than just mics; she needs the rhetorical equivalent of a shield and a sword. Come September 10, America will be watching to see if she can hold her ground or if she’ll fumble once again under the pressure. And judging by her previous performances, giving her a muted microphone might just be the best gift Trump could ask for.
