As the highly anticipated Vice Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump draws closer, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has offered some strategic advice to Harris, based on her own experience facing Trump in the 2016 presidential race. Clinton, who claims to have triumphed in all three of her debates against Trump, emphasized the importance of avoiding Trump’s attempts to bait Harris.
In an interview with the New York Times, Clinton warned that Trump is likely to employ a ‘scorched earth’ approach, aiming to undermine Harris. She encouraged Harris to counter this by launching well-grounded, direct attacks, highlighting that Trump can be unsettled by such tactics.
“He doesn’t answer the questions. He doesn’t come with any specifics. It appears from the reporting that he is going with a scorched-earth approach and will just try to tear her down, which is his usual go-to strategy,” Clinton told the publication.
Clinton also revealed that Philippe Reines, who played the role of Trump during her debate preparation, is likely assisting Harris in a similar capacity. She recalled a moment during a debate where she successfully rattled Trump by labeling him a ‘Russian puppet’.
“When I said he was a Russian puppet and he just sputtered onstage, I think that’s an example of how you get out a fact about him that really unnerves him,” she said.
Clinton’s advice holds significant weight as the debate could significantly influence public opinion and the political landscape. Her firsthand experience debating Trump provides valuable insight for Harris. The revelation that Reines is assisting Harris underscores the importance of this event and the preparation involved. Clinton’s strategy of launching direct, substantive attacks could prove crucial in the upcoming debate.
