Vice President Harris must demonstrate "command presence" during debate
The debate in seven days will be the most watched political event in American history. All eyes will be on Vice President Harris, who will be judged in a glaring spotlight by the American people, who want to see if she can pass the test.
What is that test exactly? Who gets to judge it? Analyze it? Does any of that even matter?
Vice President Harris has to demonstrate something called “command presence.” The American people will never get to see her operate in a room with Putin, Xi, a recalcitrant ally, a nettlesome friendly leader, the joint chiefs of staff, or anyone else. The closest we get is this event, and her showdown with Trump offers a look at how she thinks, operates, responds and leads. It isn’t about the answers. It’s about her bearing, demeanor and attitude.
Vice President Harris pounded markers into a vast competitive terrain during her brilliant convention speech. They are the waypoints on the heroic journey that she must cross — alone — and under an unrelenting scrutiny.
At its core, a political campaign can best be understood as a western, and every western shares some qualities. The hero always walks alone through a season of doubt before assembling their posse for the inevitable showdown between good vs. bad. The moment has come for Kamala Harris to do what must be done. It is time to face Trump, and meet him where he must be met.
Trump is a singular and existential threat and an unserious man. He is often deranged, always dishonest, and is unfit, criminal and an adjudicated rapist. He is a blusterer and a vicious clown, a narcissist and a fascist, a dictator-in-waiting, a catastrophe that can still be averted. He is the smallest of men, with the largest of appetites. Trump is a taker, a con man and a fraud. Thin-skinned and corrupt, he skims the stupid line everyday, but survives contact because the American media long ago made sure The Donald never flies without a net. The story of his life is the story of a protected bully who was raised to believe that he is very special.
The debate ahead isn’t about policy. It’s about character. The truth is that Iranian Hamas and Iranian Hezbollah are waging war against America. They murdered one of us.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin must be avenged, and the commander in chief gives the lethal command. Kamala Harris must show the American people that she is ready by putting Trump in his place, where he belongs. Her whole life has led up to this moment, and there is no spin and no way around it. The whole country will either see the qualities necessary or not.
For me, I’m betting on Vice President Harris. She’s ready for this last, great campaign test. She will win the debate and the presidency, but can’t do it alone.
Today, is the first day of the fall campaign, and the first of 63 remaining days to take actions on behalf of freedom and our country to protect it from a fascist menace. Get involved — and make sure you’re registered to vote. It’s time to end the MAGA era. It reaches peak stupid every five minutes, and it’s boring beyond measure.
Let’s say goodbye to Donald. America seems ready for that. The whole world is waiting for that.
Steve, you write a lot of great lines. I think this is my favorite ever: “Thin-skinned and corrupt, he skims the stupid line everyday, but survives contact because the American media long ago makes sure The Donald never flies without a net.”
Perfect!
Kamala’s opening line: “Good evening, America. To be honest, this is a first for me, since my only previous experience debating a criminal occurred whenever a defense attorney put his or her felonious criminal defendant on the stand for cross examination.”