VP Harris has the opportunity here to "cancel" Donald's entire con edifice. Donald is Lonesome Rhodes in the movie A Face in the Crowd. Donald is very close to complete political collapse. VP Harris must tell the truth. And demand that the Press and the MAGAs and the Democratic Party stop treating him as a serious candidate for any public office of trust. Liz is doing that. Dick Cheney is doing that. Just stop treating him as legit. Because he is not. He violated his oath of office. He attempted to steal the government. The Press wants to overlook that fact and try to prop him up for the "horserace". It's all bullshit.
Kamala is David and Donald is Goliath. As Malcolm Gladwell observed, David had the advantage. Goliath showed up for hand to hand combat. David came with artillery. If Kamala stays away from Donald's "wrestling like a pig in the mud" she will kick his ass. Her slingshot is her superior brains. All he has is hatefilled fantasies. And she should upstage him, like he did Hillary. Take a few steps back from the podium when he spews his BS and smile! Laugh at his stupidity, from behind him so he can't see he's being made fun of!
Politics always trails behind reality. The “we must unify” message is an appeal for the average American to recognize that we are already unified. Unified behind basic mutual respect and courtesy and manners. Donald is a stupid rude asshole who tries to divide us for his personal benefit. There are hateful bigots. Even they show manners at the grocery store and other public places. No one, other than Trump World members, want to be thought of as shitasses.
I'm curious---sort of like the Nazi resistance---how should we view Dick Cheney, Joe Walsh, et al, after Trump is defeated? I do NOT believe in incremental de-escalation; i.e., go back to the good ol' days of Joe Walsh and the Tea Party, y'know, when everyone was civil, dealt with agreed-upon facts and science, and worked toward compromise and common good. That bullshit is what killed Matthew Perry.
I have one difference of opinion on the recommendations: I don't think Kamala should laugh at Trump, unless it's very brief and instantly followed by a well reasoned and calm counter. (Kamala can get carried away with her laugh.) She should instead use her world class smile.
Also, she's debating a narcissist. By definition he will lie, bully, and deny constantly throughout the "debate." She should use the "gray rock" method as best she can, i.e., give short, straightforward answers to questions from him and NOT REACT, then reset back to her smile while talking about her plans for the future.
I've never been more supportive of a person to do well than I am for Kamala.
I hope VP Harris reads your essay. PS - Usha is probably with Melania who has also been MIA for almost the entirety of Donald’s campaign. Yet - not a single corporate media entity has report on it.
Enough already with the fantasy that Melania Trump and Usha Vance are Stockholm Syndrome prisoners enslaved to their husbands’ wills. These two people are willing accomplices in the partners’ evil depredations. “I really don’t care, do U?”
Great analysis Steve! The first LIE that Traitor Trump states tomorrow, VP Harris needs to look at him and say, Donald why do you lie all the time. Then, tell the truth about Trump’s LIE!
Then, repeat when necessary. Go Kamala e pose the Traitor for the crazy nut he is!!!
All great advice. I would only add one thing: vice president Harris is always very measured in her tone and voice. At some point, I’d like to see her raise her voice, loudly and forcibly --- looking straight at him --- when the time is right. She needs to show she’s not scared of him. No one yells at him. She must.
Another thought: “how dare you lie to your supporters? You’ve been telling them for four years that the election was stolen and yet now you admit that you lost” -- to be said in a loud angry voice!
"Donald Trump seeks to unleash violence and bloodshed that will affect every generation of the United States for decades to come....our children, our grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren....on both sides of this political divide. There will not be an end to it. A responsible human being, with any sense of decency, would do everything in their power to avoid that horror."
It is unfortunate that VP Harris has to debate such a person who doesn't deserve to be on the same stage, let alone given the dignity of debating. Donald Trump is a villainous cartoon character, who only knows how to bully to try and bring the other person down to his level. I believe if Kamala has a chance she will have to stand up to Trump and call out his lies and withstand his insults. The country will be be watching. I hope she shines and puts Trump in his place.
Fine ideas, if VP Harris has a chance to deploy them. I fear the moderators will be unwilling to stem the broken fire hydrant of nonsense and bleating that is certain spew forth from Trump, fact checkers will give up, and that VP Harris will be overwhelmed. Whenever Trump opens his mouth, he is either lying or doesn't know what he's talking about, but the sheer volume of his prevarication will be unstoppable. The VP may be a former prosecutor, but the debate is not a court of law, and there will be no judge to silence the liar.
TFG is a master at Gish Gallop. She will be far better prepared to handle this than Biden did back in June when he mostly just stared vacuously waiting for help from the moderators and unable to respond to the overwhelming pile of complete crap. She won't do that and as a former prosecutor, is used to dealing with vast amounts of bullshit. Sure, TFG is at a different level, but so is she.
I hope you’re right. I remember Biden’s openmouthed stare, thinking it was a pose to resemble amazement or astonishment at Trump’s torrent of nonsense, but there followed no forceful pushback. Perhaps you’re right, and he was waiting for help from the moderators. But that help was not forthcoming, leaving him looking diminished and feeble.
Steve wow wow!! You need to be in Kamala's cabinet if she wins. She has already said she would put a Republican in her cabinet. I've always admired and respected you. If you ever run for office I'll vote for you whether you are a Republican or not. Thanks for your integrity and honesty.
“The right mix of revulsion, scientific interest, quizzical searching and contempt will all need to be displayed appropriately and deservedly. Treat him like the weirdo he well and truly is.” Great advice. Dolt 45 is unaccustomed to live push-back; trivialization might just push him over the edge. And yes, talking “policy” with a man of fantastical whims is pointless.
VP Harris has the opportunity here to "cancel" Donald's entire con edifice. Donald is Lonesome Rhodes in the movie A Face in the Crowd. Donald is very close to complete political collapse. VP Harris must tell the truth. And demand that the Press and the MAGAs and the Democratic Party stop treating him as a serious candidate for any public office of trust. Liz is doing that. Dick Cheney is doing that. Just stop treating him as legit. Because he is not. He violated his oath of office. He attempted to steal the government. The Press wants to overlook that fact and try to prop him up for the "horserace". It's all bullshit.
Kamala is David and Donald is Goliath. As Malcolm Gladwell observed, David had the advantage. Goliath showed up for hand to hand combat. David came with artillery. If Kamala stays away from Donald's "wrestling like a pig in the mud" she will kick his ass. Her slingshot is her superior brains. All he has is hatefilled fantasies. And she should upstage him, like he did Hillary. Take a few steps back from the podium when he spews his BS and smile! Laugh at his stupidity, from behind him so he can't see he's being made fun of!
Politics always trails behind reality. The “we must unify” message is an appeal for the average American to recognize that we are already unified. Unified behind basic mutual respect and courtesy and manners. Donald is a stupid rude asshole who tries to divide us for his personal benefit. There are hateful bigots. Even they show manners at the grocery store and other public places. No one, other than Trump World members, want to be thought of as shitasses.
I'm curious---sort of like the Nazi resistance---how should we view Dick Cheney, Joe Walsh, et al, after Trump is defeated? I do NOT believe in incremental de-escalation; i.e., go back to the good ol' days of Joe Walsh and the Tea Party, y'know, when everyone was civil, dealt with agreed-upon facts and science, and worked toward compromise and common good. That bullshit is what killed Matthew Perry.
Steve, if only your words or a facsimile thereof can come out of Kamala’s mouth during the debate, it would be pure gold!
This column gives me hope! Thanks Steve, you’re a true wordsmith.
I have one difference of opinion on the recommendations: I don't think Kamala should laugh at Trump, unless it's very brief and instantly followed by a well reasoned and calm counter. (Kamala can get carried away with her laugh.) She should instead use her world class smile.
Also, she's debating a narcissist. By definition he will lie, bully, and deny constantly throughout the "debate." She should use the "gray rock" method as best she can, i.e., give short, straightforward answers to questions from him and NOT REACT, then reset back to her smile while talking about her plans for the future.
I've never been more supportive of a person to do well than I am for Kamala.
I hope VP Harris reads your essay. PS - Usha is probably with Melania who has also been MIA for almost the entirety of Donald’s campaign. Yet - not a single corporate media entity has report on it.
Enough already with the fantasy that Melania Trump and Usha Vance are Stockholm Syndrome prisoners enslaved to their husbands’ wills. These two people are willing accomplices in the partners’ evil depredations. “I really don’t care, do U?”
Yes you are exactly right !!!!!!
10,000% correct. They are absolutely NOT taking principled stands.
Great analysis Steve! The first LIE that Traitor Trump states tomorrow, VP Harris needs to look at him and say, Donald why do you lie all the time. Then, tell the truth about Trump’s LIE!
Then, repeat when necessary. Go Kamala e pose the Traitor for the crazy nut he is!!!
All great advice. I would only add one thing: vice president Harris is always very measured in her tone and voice. At some point, I’d like to see her raise her voice, loudly and forcibly --- looking straight at him --- when the time is right. She needs to show she’s not scared of him. No one yells at him. She must.
Another thought: “how dare you lie to your supporters? You’ve been telling them for four years that the election was stolen and yet now you admit that you lost” -- to be said in a loud angry voice!
And this:
"Donald Trump seeks to unleash violence and bloodshed that will affect every generation of the United States for decades to come....our children, our grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren....on both sides of this political divide. There will not be an end to it. A responsible human being, with any sense of decency, would do everything in their power to avoid that horror."
I like this and have faith VP Harris is on the same page, ready to expose the great imposter...
Also re salutations, her name is Madam Vice President….his is Mr trump.
It is unfortunate that VP Harris has to debate such a person who doesn't deserve to be on the same stage, let alone given the dignity of debating. Donald Trump is a villainous cartoon character, who only knows how to bully to try and bring the other person down to his level. I believe if Kamala has a chance she will have to stand up to Trump and call out his lies and withstand his insults. The country will be be watching. I hope she shines and puts Trump in his place.
Fine ideas, if VP Harris has a chance to deploy them. I fear the moderators will be unwilling to stem the broken fire hydrant of nonsense and bleating that is certain spew forth from Trump, fact checkers will give up, and that VP Harris will be overwhelmed. Whenever Trump opens his mouth, he is either lying or doesn't know what he's talking about, but the sheer volume of his prevarication will be unstoppable. The VP may be a former prosecutor, but the debate is not a court of law, and there will be no judge to silence the liar.
TFG is a master at Gish Gallop. She will be far better prepared to handle this than Biden did back in June when he mostly just stared vacuously waiting for help from the moderators and unable to respond to the overwhelming pile of complete crap. She won't do that and as a former prosecutor, is used to dealing with vast amounts of bullshit. Sure, TFG is at a different level, but so is she.
I hope you’re right. I remember Biden’s openmouthed stare, thinking it was a pose to resemble amazement or astonishment at Trump’s torrent of nonsense, but there followed no forceful pushback. Perhaps you’re right, and he was waiting for help from the moderators. But that help was not forthcoming, leaving him looking diminished and feeble.
CNN failed to control his antics! Seems they were afraid of him!
And I have no confidence that ABC will do any better.
You may be right! The moderators must maintain control over Trump and his desire to be the headliner!
I AGREE !
Steve wow wow!! You need to be in Kamala's cabinet if she wins. She has already said she would put a Republican in her cabinet. I've always admired and respected you. If you ever run for office I'll vote for you whether you are a Republican or not. Thanks for your integrity and honesty.
He's not that type to run. He's too operational. Chief of Staff....maybe.
And Kamala, whatever you do don’t shake this SOB’s hand!
Not even a fist bump, mind you!
“The right mix of revulsion, scientific interest, quizzical searching and contempt will all need to be displayed appropriately and deservedly. Treat him like the weirdo he well and truly is.” Great advice. Dolt 45 is unaccustomed to live push-back; trivialization might just push him over the edge. And yes, talking “policy” with a man of fantastical whims is pointless.
Not too much pressure on Kamala 😍