In the latest edition of "The Response Room", I once again take on the role of campaign strategist for the Harris-Walz campaign, and offer my advice on how to respond to criticisms and attacks from Team Trump:The Warning with Steve Schmidt is a reader-supported publication.
I agree with most points Steve made. I do not agree Harris should throw Biden under the bus to explain her positions that differ from his. She has openly demonstrated her support and affection for him. Throwing him under the bus now will make her look like a weasel. She would be dragged through the muck for it. People looking to her for integrity and a new way to do politics would be deeply disappointed.
Why can’t she say that the administration had confidence that the immigration bill would pass and the border work would be a bipartisan solution. That was a totally legitimate expectation.
She doesn’t even need to disagree. She just needs to make the case for what she would do as president. She is running for president. Not another term as VP.
Mr. Schmidt makes a good suggestion for phrasing that doesn't involve "throwing Biden under the bus:" "America needs and will have a secure border." That's all she needs to say, repeatedly. Asked for specifics, she can point to the Trump-sabotaged border bill. No need to get any further down into the weeds. Bleep the MSM.
No, President Harris will not anger our allies by telling lies about their leaders:
Trump writes in his new coffee-table book that Trudeau’s mother, Margaret, was “somehow associated” with Castro and notes that “a lot of people say that Justin is his son.” The former president adds: “He swears that he isn’t but how the hell would he know! Castro had good hair, the ‘father’ didn’t, Justin has good hair, and has become a Communist just like Castro.”
Do you really think that Barron resembles his alleged father, Donald Trump? The boy has a nice head of hair and Don Sr.'s is kind of fake-looking. If he were a Dem (and thank God he no longer is) this is the kind of crap that Republicans would spew. But to the point of your post, how dare he defame one of our Canadian friends!
As a Canadian who lives in its capital city - Ottawa, I must admit that this is the first time I’ve heard such rubbish. I haven’t done an analysis of Justin’s hair DNA, but I can tell you that his mother Margaret Sinclair had stunning curly thick hair as a young woman and that her DNA was likely responsible for her eldest son’s head of hair. Trump never liked Justin much when each was the Leader of their respective country and this kind of BS from your asinine former pres is proof again that he’s not fit to lead your great country, nor is he worthy of much else.
Numerous disaffected Republicans, including Kathleen Parker in WaPo this morning, would counsel Harris to be more “moderate”. A quick glance around the current political landscape will reveal the fruits of Democratic conflict-avoidant “moderation”: A corrupt, insular Supreme Court which will support a corrupt, insular Executive, a lackadaisical DOJ afraid of appearing political (a deeply political stance), a trade policy that has crushed the middle class, etc., etc.. The neoliberal economics of a Larry Summers (or a Tim Geithner, for that matter) only aggravate the problem. Most of your advice here is on target, but Dems from Harris on down would better serve the country by articulating what’s wrong, how we got here, and what WE will do about it. That would inspire the public and confound the M$M.
I hope Steve is correct in positing that Trump will lose. He needs to lose HARD. I’m still afraid the country could still choose the national suicide option. Too many people don’t take his verbal vomit seriously as his PROMISES and his ACTION PLAN.
that employs a phrase deserving of Mr. Schmidt's attention. Referring to Agent Orange's debate performance, Tomasky calls it "mental incontinence." That is absolutely a great description of TFG's firehose of lies.
For those who doubt the racism in Trump's family, how do you explain this:
“You look at Haiti, you look at the demographic makeup, you look at the average I.Q. — if you import the third world into your country, you’re going to become the third world,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with Charlie Kirk on Real America’s Voice, a conservative broadcasting network. “That’s just basic. It’s not racist. It’s just fact.”
Agreed. I just noticed that the NYT's reference to "Real America's Voice" as a "conservative broadcasting network," legitimizes a FASCIST broadcasting network. What conservative network would give Charlie Kirk a platform? Or, for that matter, "little trump," whose IQ is likely at a comfortable thermostat setting.
Speaking in California, Trump said he'd deport the Haitians back to Colombia. This proves he is ignorant of geography. But he recently made a rare statement I believe to be true. And that statement was that he has not read the document called Project 2025.
I think what would be great from Steve at some point is a breakdown of what things look like in the six swing states. An analysis of things and what it would take for Harris to win any of them. Because, as far as I can tell, each one of them is too damn close for comfort.
Excellent! Harris should continue to be Harris...she can do it without throwing Biden under the bus...but rather just talk of our future... capitalizing on the more popular legislations while she served with him and simply move on. I don't know how we are going to make it for the next days ahead...but I really think that once the Harris | Walz team wins...and they will...hopefully big...MAGA will go out kicking and screaming...but...no one will want to take the chance of ending up behind bars without anyone to pardon them. Kamala Harris will certify the election as she is Vice President. Trump's Country Club supporters and wealthy CEO's will complain for another four years...conjuring up whatever they can while sipping their morning coffee at a power breakfast or drinking wine, Titos or champagne at lavish dinners while his real base goes back in hiding...unknowingly benefiting from their loss! Maybe some threats of violence, certainly lawsuits that will be expensive as we are ultimately paying for them...but... we will be free of Trump as he enters the new world he has tried to escape...accountability!
Vance shared a post that immigrants were cooking cats in Dayton, Ohio. The Mayor of Dayton promptly denounced it as false. We are laughingstocks to the world with this major party duo. The idea of American Exceptionalism is in the dumpster.
I agree with most points Steve made. I do not agree Harris should throw Biden under the bus to explain her positions that differ from his. She has openly demonstrated her support and affection for him. Throwing him under the bus now will make her look like a weasel. She would be dragged through the muck for it. People looking to her for integrity and a new way to do politics would be deeply disappointed.
Why can’t she say that the administration had confidence that the immigration bill would pass and the border work would be a bipartisan solution. That was a totally legitimate expectation.
But, she can disagree with his policies w/o "throwing him under the bus."
She doesn’t even need to disagree. She just needs to make the case for what she would do as president. She is running for president. Not another term as VP.
Mr. Schmidt makes a good suggestion for phrasing that doesn't involve "throwing Biden under the bus:" "America needs and will have a secure border." That's all she needs to say, repeatedly. Asked for specifics, she can point to the Trump-sabotaged border bill. No need to get any further down into the weeds. Bleep the MSM.
Bad choice of words, Steve.
No, Laura Loomer will not be sleeping in the White House.
No, there will be no more massive tax guts for the wealthiest and corporations driving up our national debt.
No, we will not drop out of NATO but will continue to support our traditional allies and send help to Ukraine.
No, Kamala Harris will not fall in love with Kim Jung Un or any other dictator.
No, Kamala Harris will not defame any people based on ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, or gender expression.
No, President Harris will not anger our allies by telling lies about their leaders:
Trump writes in his new coffee-table book that Trudeau’s mother, Margaret, was “somehow associated” with Castro and notes that “a lot of people say that Justin is his son.” The former president adds: “He swears that he isn’t but how the hell would he know! Castro had good hair, the ‘father’ didn’t, Justin has good hair, and has become a Communist just like Castro.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/13/trump-trudeau-castro-conspiracy-00179118
Do you really think that Barron resembles his alleged father, Donald Trump? The boy has a nice head of hair and Don Sr.'s is kind of fake-looking. If he were a Dem (and thank God he no longer is) this is the kind of crap that Republicans would spew. But to the point of your post, how dare he defame one of our Canadian friends!
Trump is a bilious abomination. I hate it that we are still doing this. Still talking about him and his fellow miscreants and assholes.
As a Canadian who lives in its capital city - Ottawa, I must admit that this is the first time I’ve heard such rubbish. I haven’t done an analysis of Justin’s hair DNA, but I can tell you that his mother Margaret Sinclair had stunning curly thick hair as a young woman and that her DNA was likely responsible for her eldest son’s head of hair. Trump never liked Justin much when each was the Leader of their respective country and this kind of BS from your asinine former pres is proof again that he’s not fit to lead your great country, nor is he worthy of much else.
Trump has no shame and no sense of propriety but he is the mouthpiece for some very dangerous people. Who is responsible for this book?
It is obvious that some very strange people are influencing him.
These next weeks are going to be very difficult
You forgot the most important No. No there will not be a Putin Allie in the Whitehouse.
Numerous disaffected Republicans, including Kathleen Parker in WaPo this morning, would counsel Harris to be more “moderate”. A quick glance around the current political landscape will reveal the fruits of Democratic conflict-avoidant “moderation”: A corrupt, insular Supreme Court which will support a corrupt, insular Executive, a lackadaisical DOJ afraid of appearing political (a deeply political stance), a trade policy that has crushed the middle class, etc., etc.. The neoliberal economics of a Larry Summers (or a Tim Geithner, for that matter) only aggravate the problem. Most of your advice here is on target, but Dems from Harris on down would better serve the country by articulating what’s wrong, how we got here, and what WE will do about it. That would inspire the public and confound the M$M.
Keep up your unadulterated fine work; we need you Steve. Thank you, sir.
Vote BLUE! Send Liar, Criminal, Traitor, trump to prison 2024!
I hope Steve is correct in positing that Trump will lose. He needs to lose HARD. I’m still afraid the country could still choose the national suicide option. Too many people don’t take his verbal vomit seriously as his PROMISES and his ACTION PLAN.
Just read a good article by Michael Tomasky in The New Republic https://newrepublic.com/article/185850/debate-donald-trump-final-unraveling?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tnr_weekly
that employs a phrase deserving of Mr. Schmidt's attention. Referring to Agent Orange's debate performance, Tomasky calls it "mental incontinence." That is absolutely a great description of TFG's firehose of lies.
Excellent advice, Steve!
Love this continuous hardball game that you throw at DT and the whackos daily! Now we throw bowling balls. Yessss!
For those who doubt the racism in Trump's family, how do you explain this:
“You look at Haiti, you look at the demographic makeup, you look at the average I.Q. — if you import the third world into your country, you’re going to become the third world,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with Charlie Kirk on Real America’s Voice, a conservative broadcasting network. “That’s just basic. It’s not racist. It’s just fact.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/us/politics/don-jr-trump-haitian-migrants.html
Chump Jr may be more malignant than his old man. Which is saying quite a bit. If the country chooses his handpicked VP, it is national suicide.
Agreed. I just noticed that the NYT's reference to "Real America's Voice" as a "conservative broadcasting network," legitimizes a FASCIST broadcasting network. What conservative network would give Charlie Kirk a platform? Or, for that matter, "little trump," whose IQ is likely at a comfortable thermostat setting.
Spoken by a stable genius
"...the Bullshit fed to them over the past ten years. But, hey, a lot of people made a lot of money.," Priceless Words.
Speaking in California, Trump said he'd deport the Haitians back to Colombia. This proves he is ignorant of geography. But he recently made a rare statement I believe to be true. And that statement was that he has not read the document called Project 2025.
Correction: I meant Venezuela; not Colombia. My bad.
I think what would be great from Steve at some point is a breakdown of what things look like in the six swing states. An analysis of things and what it would take for Harris to win any of them. Because, as far as I can tell, each one of them is too damn close for comfort.
Excellent! Harris should continue to be Harris...she can do it without throwing Biden under the bus...but rather just talk of our future... capitalizing on the more popular legislations while she served with him and simply move on. I don't know how we are going to make it for the next days ahead...but I really think that once the Harris | Walz team wins...and they will...hopefully big...MAGA will go out kicking and screaming...but...no one will want to take the chance of ending up behind bars without anyone to pardon them. Kamala Harris will certify the election as she is Vice President. Trump's Country Club supporters and wealthy CEO's will complain for another four years...conjuring up whatever they can while sipping their morning coffee at a power breakfast or drinking wine, Titos or champagne at lavish dinners while his real base goes back in hiding...unknowingly benefiting from their loss! Maybe some threats of violence, certainly lawsuits that will be expensive as we are ultimately paying for them...but... we will be free of Trump as he enters the new world he has tried to escape...accountability!
Vance shared a post that immigrants were cooking cats in Dayton, Ohio. The Mayor of Dayton promptly denounced it as false. We are laughingstocks to the world with this major party duo. The idea of American Exceptionalism is in the dumpster.