Harris faces new debate challenge: Balancing poise and strategy against Trump

Harris faces Trump: Debate challenge (File)

From her early campaigns in California to her role as President Joe Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris has developed a nuanced approach to debates. Her strategy combines sharp punchlines with detailed arguments to build a broader narrative.

Harris often uses non-verbal cues, like shaking her head to signal disapproval, hoping viewers will notice her reactions on split screens. Harris also employs a tactic of thanking the moderator for the chance to answer, giving her time to gather her thoughts and refine her responses.

The upcoming presidential debate on Tuesday represents a significant challenge for Harris. She will face former President Donald Trump, who is well-versed in debate settings, having participated in six general election debates since 2016. This debate is expected to attract tens of millions of viewers as early voting for the November election begins.

Harris's debate rivals and those who have prepared her competitors recognise her strengths but also caution about Trump's unpredictability. Marc Short, who prepared Vice President Mike Pence for his debate against Harris in 2020, emphasises her ability to adapt: “She can meet the moment. She has shown that in different environments. I would not underestimate that in any way.”

Julian Castro, who ran against Harris in the 2020 Democratic primary, praises her for blending “knowledge, poise and the ability to explain things well,” which helped her stand out in crowded primary debates. He adds, “Some candidates get too caught up with trying to be catchy, trying to go viral. She's found a very good balance.”

A former aide to Harris describes her debate strategy as akin to a jury trial or Senate questioning. Harris aims to win on merit while ensuring that casual viewers take away key points. Tim Hogan, who led Sen. Amy Klobuchar's debate preparation in 2020, notes, “She understands that debates are about the individual interactions themselves but also about a larger strategy of offering a vision for what your leadership and style looks like.”

Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a political communications professor, highlights Harris’s ability to weave deductive arguments into a compelling narrative. She cites Harris's performance in the 2020 vice-presidential debate, where Harris effectively critiqued Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.

Jamieson also points to a memorable moment in a 2019 primary debate when Harris challenged Joe Biden on race and institutional racism, skillfully connecting her critique to her own experiences as a young, biracial student. “Most people who are good at the deductive argument aren't good at wrapping that with an effective narrative,” Jamieson says. “She's good at both.”

Harris’s ability to land memorable punches is partly attributed to her trial experience. In the 2019 Democratic primary debates, she strategically waited for her moment to speak, as seen when she took control of a chaotic exchange with, “Hey, guys, you know what? America does not want to witness a food fight. They want to know how we're going to put food on their table,” which earned her applause. In her 2020 debate with Pence, she used sharp remarks to highlight Pence's frequent interruptions: “Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking,” and “If you don't mind letting me finish, we can have a conversation.”

However, Harris has faced challenges during debates, particularly when defending her record. During the 2020 primary, Tulsi Gabbard attacked her for her past prosecution of nonviolent drug offenders. In the 2020 general election debate, Pence’s critiques sometimes forced Harris to defend Biden’s positions. Now, Harris must not only defend Biden’s record but also clarify her own role and the policies she would pursue as president.

Short observes that Republicans and the media have questioned more liberal positions Harris took during the 2020 primary campaign, such as on fracking, universal healthcare, and immigration. He notes, “We were surprised that she missed some opportunities (against Pence) when the conversation was centred around policy.”

Harris’s skill in timing, silence, and nonverbal communication was evident early in her career. In a 2010 debate for California Attorney General, she effectively used a silent, slightly amused look to respond to her opponent’s comments about pension practices. Her succinct reply, “Go for it, Steve. You earned it!” was delivered with a tone that communicated sarcasm, making it a memorable moment in her campaign ads.

Jamieson praises Harris's ability to use nonverbal cues and strategic silence effectively. She notes that Harris often shakes her head or uses facial expressions to signal disapproval, then smiles before responding in a conversational tone. “She defuses some of the argument that Trump makes that she is a nasty woman,” Jamieson explains. “Her nonverbal presentation is actually undercutting that line of attack.”

As Harris prepares for the debate against Trump, she faces a unique and formidable challenge. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a fellow 2020 Democratic candidate, highlights the difficulty of debating Trump: “It will take almost superhuman focus and discipline to deal with Donald Trump in a debate. It's no ordinary proposition, not because Donald Trump is a master of explaining policy ideas and how they're going to make people better off. It's because he's a master of taking any form or format that is on television and turning it into a show that is all about him.”

Julian Castro adds that Trump’s stage presence is “nasty and crafty,” making him a challenging opponent. With ABC keeping the candidates’ microphones off when not speaking, Harris may find it harder to create viral moments based on Trump's outlandish statements. Castro advises, “The best thing she can do is not get distracted by his antics.”

In summary, Harris’s debate experience and strategic approach will be tested in her confrontation with Trump. Her ability to balance detailed arguments with compelling narratives, coupled with her skill in nonverbal communication, will be crucial as she navigates this high-stakes debate.

(With Inputs From PTI)