After Joe Biden’s devastating debate debacle, Vice President Kamala Harris will try to resuscitate the Democratic ticket in a debate against Donald Trump’s new running mate, JD Vance.
“The VP will take it to JD Vance,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren boasted in a call to reporters.
The two VPs have already talked and could debate as soon as August in what could be a pivotal moment for Harris, who is being eyed by some Democrats to replace Biden, and Vance, who spoke to Republican delegates and the nation last night.
Vance will be up against a tough opponent. Don’t forget that Harris blindsided Biden in a 2020 debate, accusing him of opposing busing and supporting segregationists in the Senate.
“There was a little girl in California who was bused to school. That little girl was me,” Harris said.
The former prosecutor and senator no doubt will come hard at Vance, accusing him of being a racist and “rubber stamp” for Trump and whose loyalty is to the former president, not the country.
“The debate is going to have two parts to it,” Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat. said. “It’s how strong our vice president is and how good her economic issues are. I’m looking forward to this debate.”
But Vance, who turns 40 next month and who will be Trump’s bulldog on the campaign trail, can defend himself and has shown he’s no shrinking violet.
The bearded Ohio senator, best-selling memoir author, and Marine veteran has a compelling personal story to tell and is experienced at handling the media.
He excelled at debating in his race for Senate two years ago, catching Trump’s attention and endorsement.
After two of his opponents were sparring and almost came to blows during one debate, Vance interjected, “Sit down. Come on. This is ridiculous.”
Vance’s debating skills are one big reason Trump selected him as his running mate.
But Harris is itching to start the debates against Vance and has agreed to debate on CBS on July 23 or Aug. 13 – with no studio audience. She no doubt wants to wipe away the image of the bumbling Biden at his first debate against Trump.
Before picking Vance, Trump agreed to a vice presidential debate on Fox News, which Harris will obviously try to avoid.
But the pair appear to be on a collision course to debate in the coming weeks – before the next Biden-Trump debate in September.
A bad performance by Harris could undermine her chances of replacing Biden at the top of the ticket and serve as yet another blow to Democrats. But a strong performance could be the kind of lift that panicking Democrats need.
The Associated Press reported that the Harris and Vance teams have yet to agree on a format and the network for the debate, but that discussions are expected to begin soon.
“Obviously, we want to debate Vice President Harris because it’s important for the American people to see the contrast,” Vance told Newsmax on Tuesday. He also told Newsmax that Harris was “very gracious, very cordial” in their phone conversations.
Don’t believe it. Harris is trying to set a trap for Vance and have the debate appear on a liberal network to back her up.
“We have accepted the proposal from CBS News – I think as folks are aware – to participate in that debate, and we feel very good,” Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo said.
