Kamala Harris’ former communications director said Tuesday that the Democratic nominee requires a nasty practice opponent for her debate against Donald Trump next week. (Watch the video below.)

“Somebody’s gotta be the asshole here,” Jamal Simmons, now a CNN political commentator, said in a clip captured by Mediaite.

“Somebody’s got to sit there and really pepper her and get her to get annoyed and aggravated because that’s probably what Trump’s gonna do,” he said. “And what you want her to do is to work out that aggravation in prep and not do it when she’s onstage.”

According to network host ABC, microphones will be muted when the candidates’ speaking time is up despite the Harris team’s push for hot mics at all times. Harris reportedly preferred an unmuted arrangement to catch the former president in unpresidential moments and, if interrupted by him, was “more than happy” to get into heated exchanges.

But Simmons still saw the need for Harris to prepare for Trump’s worst behaviors while noting that the vice president and her team should avoid belaboring the fine points of issues with him.

“What they can’t do is get into policy point, counterpoint because that’s not gonna convince anybody of anything,” Simmons said.