Staff Reports
The latest episode in the political circus involves Kamala Harris’ campaign trying to pull a fast one on the debate rules as the date draws near. The Trump campaign has firmly shot down her request to switch things up for the September 10 debate on ABC News by allowing unmuted microphones. It seems Harris is eager to go mic-less, perhaps hoping that freeing her vocal cords will lead to less of her famous word salads making an appearance. One has to wonder if her team is brewing a plan that revolves around her inability to string together coherent thoughts without a lifeline.
With both candidates previously agreeing to the terms laid down during the Biden era — which stipulated that microphones would remain muted during each candidate’s non-speaking time — this sudden change in strategy reeks of desperation. Harris’ team seems to think that by declaring an open mic night, they can somehow gain the upper hand against Trump, who they may perceive as “shook” by her presence. This sense of urgency is perhaps more about wanting the public to witness the fireworks of aggressive interruptions than about improving the quality of the debate itself.
Trump Campaign Opposes Harris‘s Attempt to Change September 10 Debate Rules
Harris wants an unmuted mic to save her from word salads, one person familiar with Harris’s negotiations told Politico Playbook.https://t.co/CvxgKiiXyh
— Kenny G (@Texas4Trump_24) August 26, 2024
Trump’s senior advisor, Jason Miller, responded swiftly, calling out the Harris camp for their antics. He pointed out they’ve already accepted the rules agreed upon for a prior debate. If they’re worried Harris can’t deliver the lines they’ve rehearsed, that’s not Trump’s problem. The notion that her team wants a “cheat sheet” for what is supposed to be a political debate is almost comedic, yet revealing of the level of preparation they believe Harris requires. The Harris campaign seems to be operating with a playbook that favors avoiding tough exchanges altogether.
In signature Trump fashion, he took to Truth Social to express his disbelief at debating on a network he deems “Fake News.” It’s tough to blame him when he’s surrounded by a media landscape that rarely gives him a fair shake. For Trump, facing off against Harris on a platform that skews towards the left adds another layer of complication, and he rightly questions the wisdom in such a debate setup.
The confusion within the Harris camp was exacerbated by her lackluster performance in previous debates. Even an aggressive Pence couldn’t help but interrupt her time and again, leading viewers to wonder what magic trick her campaign believes they can pull off by flipping the mic switch. A strategy built on wanting to control the narrative—while simultaneously avoiding a genuine challenge—reflects a campaign more interested in survival than substance. This latest attempt to shake the rules shows that, when it comes to debates, the Democrats are clearly playing for keeps or are at least trying to appear that way.
