Tulsi Gabbard's Influence Lingers as Harris Prepares for Tuesday's Debate
The 2019 debate moment looms large over Harris' momentum.
TroibNews 
PHILADELPHIA — During a Democratic presidential debate five years ago, then-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard targeted Kamala Harris, labeling her a hypocrite who had shifted from a stringent prosecutor to a champion of progressive reforms. Harris struggled to counter effectively during that debate, cementing an image of a politician swayed by prevailing trends.
This incident sparked debate about Harris' capability to retaliate when under scrutiny, despite her previous performance as a sharp questioner of Republicans in Senate hearings and her confrontational stance against Joe Biden in a 2019 debate.
Allies and former staffers of Harris suggest she learned valuable lessons from the encounter, highlighting her commendable performance against Mike Pence in a later 2020 debate as evidence of her growth. The forthcoming debate with former President Donald Trump will test her abilities, raising questions about whether the more assertive debater seen in the Pence debate will reappear.
Gabbard, having distanced herself from the Democratic Party to align with the MAGA movement, now assists Trump in his preparations against Harris. Rania Batrice, previously Gabbard's campaign manager, expects Gabbard to advise Trump to emphasize Harris' perceived inconsistencies.
The accusations of flip-flopping by Trump's campaign align with his strategy, even as Trump himself has shifted positions on issues including abortion. Harris provides additional fodder with her changed stances on Medicare for All and fracking.
During the Detroit debate in 2019, Gabbard accused Harris of harshly prosecuting marijuana crimes and laughed about smoking marijuana herself. Gabbard also claimed Harris hindered evidence that could have released a man from death row and exploited prisoners for cheap labor.
Although fact-checkers questioned the accuracy of Gabbard’s assertions, Harris’ response did little to refute them. She stated her pride in her record but lacked convincing vigor. The encounter was detrimental to Harris' campaign, even though her advisors had anticipated Gabbard's attack but were unsure of the best strategy to counter.
Post-debate, Harris remarked to a TV anchor, "This is going to sound immodest, but obviously I’m a top-tier candidate and so I did expect that I’d be on the stage and take some hits tonight.”
Acknowledging a misstep in not engaging Gabbard more robustly, Harris reassessed her approach for subsequent debates, eagerly engaging in the multi-candidate format.
While Gabbard did not comment, Trump’s campaign pointed to a statement by senior adviser Jason Miller: "we’ll see you in Philadelphia next Tuesday.”
Despite the lingering memory of the Gabbard incident among her team, many of Harris' allies view her strong 2020 debate against Pence as evidence of her capabilities. Harris notably confronted Pence on his COVID-19 response, asserting her right to speak when interrupted with a firm "Mr. vice president, I'm speaking".
As the upcoming debate with Trump approaches, while some Democrats express concern owing to Harris’ minimal media engagements, her solid campaign launch and experienced advisory team inspire confidence among her supporters.
Several individuals connected to Harris, including JA Moore and Democratic strategist James Carville, express strong belief in her improved debate skills and high expectations for her performance.
In summary, as Harris prepares for her debate against Trump, both her supporters and critics carefully watch to see if she has honed her abilities to effectively confront and counter her opponents on the national stage.The stakes are high for Harris as she steps into this pivotal debate. With Trump’s camp positioning itself to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses, the vice president will need to showcase not only her debating prowess but also her command of policy issues. Harris aims to project confidence while deflecting Trump’s critiques and possibly responding with her own assaults on his record, particularly regarding his handling of the pandemic and economic policies.
Advisors to Harris are focused on strategic preparations, hoping to equip her with substantive rebuttals and sharp counterpoints to navigate the high-pressure environment of the debate stage. The focus of her preparations includes honing her ability to pivot from defensive to offensive tactics, a skill that could prove essential against a candidate known for his unpredictability and aggressive debate style.
Throughout the campaign, the vice president has been aware that moments in debates can reshuffle the political landscape. Harris’ past debates have focused on gender and race, and with Trump, she faces the added challenge of addressing the dynamics of gender politics in a fraught environment. Many observers signal that Harris could harness the power of her narrative, potentially framing herself as a defender against Trump’s controversial legacy.
As candidates prepare, the buzz around the debate has drawn attention not just for the pivotal stakes involved but also for how it reflects the broader ideological divisions within the party. Harris’ supporters are keenly aware of the challenges she faces but remain hopeful that an assertive and articulate performance could galvanize critical voter demographics.
The upcoming debate has already become a focal point for media coverage and voter anticipation. Analysts suggest that Harris will need to keep her cool under pressure and prepare for Trump’s potential diversion tactics. During previous encounters, Trump has often sidestepped major issues by turning the conversation towards personal jabs or issues that distract from the core debate topics.
Previous debates have shown that successful moments require not only robust responses but also effective body language and the ability to connect with the audience. Harris’ team recognizes these elements as key to crafting a debate performance that resonates well with voters. Observing the landscape from afar, Democratic leaders emphasize the importance of strategic messaging that can rejuvenate the party's core messages while appealing to moderate voters across the board.
The narrative surrounding Harris has evolved as she has embraced her role as vice president, now showcasing a blend of humility and assertiveness. Supporters view her readiness to confront Trump as a testament to her growth since the 2019 debate. “She’s better prepared this time than before,” one ally remarked, identifying her ability to blend policy substance with personal storytelling as pivotal to her success.
As the date of the debate approaches, Harris will likely fine-tune her strategy, focusing on delivering moments that resonate with voters while avoiding the pitfalls experienced in past confrontations. The firestorm of anticipation is indicative of the overarching stakes involved, where performance could potentially shape perceptions and impact voter dynamics heading into a consequential election cycle.
In the days leading up to the debate, both camps will engage in intense practice sessions, reviewing strategies, potential scenarios, and preparing responses to expected charges. Harris aims to position herself as a formidable opponent who isn't just defending but actively reframing the narrative surrounding her candidacy.
Ultimately, the debate will not only test Harris' resilience but also serve as a national stage to reaffirm her role within the Democratic Party as it battles against a familiar adversary. With allies, strategists, and supporters rallying behind her, the upcoming confrontation is poised to be a defining moment not just for Harris, but for the future direction of the Democratic Party as it navigates its path forward in a fiery political landscape.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
This incident sparked debate about Harris' capability to retaliate when under scrutiny, despite her previous performance as a sharp questioner of Republicans in Senate hearings and her confrontational stance against Joe Biden in a 2019 debate.
Allies and former staffers of Harris suggest she learned valuable lessons from the encounter, highlighting her commendable performance against Mike Pence in a later 2020 debate as evidence of her growth. The forthcoming debate with former President Donald Trump will test her abilities, raising questions about whether the more assertive debater seen in the Pence debate will reappear.
Gabbard, having distanced herself from the Democratic Party to align with the MAGA movement, now assists Trump in his preparations against Harris. Rania Batrice, previously Gabbard's campaign manager, expects Gabbard to advise Trump to emphasize Harris' perceived inconsistencies.
The accusations of flip-flopping by Trump's campaign align with his strategy, even as Trump himself has shifted positions on issues including abortion. Harris provides additional fodder with her changed stances on Medicare for All and fracking.
During the Detroit debate in 2019, Gabbard accused Harris of harshly prosecuting marijuana crimes and laughed about smoking marijuana herself. Gabbard also claimed Harris hindered evidence that could have released a man from death row and exploited prisoners for cheap labor.
Although fact-checkers questioned the accuracy of Gabbard’s assertions, Harris’ response did little to refute them. She stated her pride in her record but lacked convincing vigor. The encounter was detrimental to Harris' campaign, even though her advisors had anticipated Gabbard's attack but were unsure of the best strategy to counter.
Post-debate, Harris remarked to a TV anchor, "This is going to sound immodest, but obviously I’m a top-tier candidate and so I did expect that I’d be on the stage and take some hits tonight.”
Acknowledging a misstep in not engaging Gabbard more robustly, Harris reassessed her approach for subsequent debates, eagerly engaging in the multi-candidate format.
While Gabbard did not comment, Trump’s campaign pointed to a statement by senior adviser Jason Miller: "we’ll see you in Philadelphia next Tuesday.”
Despite the lingering memory of the Gabbard incident among her team, many of Harris' allies view her strong 2020 debate against Pence as evidence of her capabilities. Harris notably confronted Pence on his COVID-19 response, asserting her right to speak when interrupted with a firm "Mr. vice president, I'm speaking".
As the upcoming debate with Trump approaches, while some Democrats express concern owing to Harris’ minimal media engagements, her solid campaign launch and experienced advisory team inspire confidence among her supporters.
Several individuals connected to Harris, including JA Moore and Democratic strategist James Carville, express strong belief in her improved debate skills and high expectations for her performance.
In summary, as Harris prepares for her debate against Trump, both her supporters and critics carefully watch to see if she has honed her abilities to effectively confront and counter her opponents on the national stage.The stakes are high for Harris as she steps into this pivotal debate. With Trump’s camp positioning itself to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses, the vice president will need to showcase not only her debating prowess but also her command of policy issues. Harris aims to project confidence while deflecting Trump’s critiques and possibly responding with her own assaults on his record, particularly regarding his handling of the pandemic and economic policies.
Advisors to Harris are focused on strategic preparations, hoping to equip her with substantive rebuttals and sharp counterpoints to navigate the high-pressure environment of the debate stage. The focus of her preparations includes honing her ability to pivot from defensive to offensive tactics, a skill that could prove essential against a candidate known for his unpredictability and aggressive debate style.
Throughout the campaign, the vice president has been aware that moments in debates can reshuffle the political landscape. Harris’ past debates have focused on gender and race, and with Trump, she faces the added challenge of addressing the dynamics of gender politics in a fraught environment. Many observers signal that Harris could harness the power of her narrative, potentially framing herself as a defender against Trump’s controversial legacy.
As candidates prepare, the buzz around the debate has drawn attention not just for the pivotal stakes involved but also for how it reflects the broader ideological divisions within the party. Harris’ supporters are keenly aware of the challenges she faces but remain hopeful that an assertive and articulate performance could galvanize critical voter demographics.
The upcoming debate has already become a focal point for media coverage and voter anticipation. Analysts suggest that Harris will need to keep her cool under pressure and prepare for Trump’s potential diversion tactics. During previous encounters, Trump has often sidestepped major issues by turning the conversation towards personal jabs or issues that distract from the core debate topics.
Previous debates have shown that successful moments require not only robust responses but also effective body language and the ability to connect with the audience. Harris’ team recognizes these elements as key to crafting a debate performance that resonates well with voters. Observing the landscape from afar, Democratic leaders emphasize the importance of strategic messaging that can rejuvenate the party's core messages while appealing to moderate voters across the board.
The narrative surrounding Harris has evolved as she has embraced her role as vice president, now showcasing a blend of humility and assertiveness. Supporters view her readiness to confront Trump as a testament to her growth since the 2019 debate. “She’s better prepared this time than before,” one ally remarked, identifying her ability to blend policy substance with personal storytelling as pivotal to her success.
As the date of the debate approaches, Harris will likely fine-tune her strategy, focusing on delivering moments that resonate with voters while avoiding the pitfalls experienced in past confrontations. The firestorm of anticipation is indicative of the overarching stakes involved, where performance could potentially shape perceptions and impact voter dynamics heading into a consequential election cycle.
In the days leading up to the debate, both camps will engage in intense practice sessions, reviewing strategies, potential scenarios, and preparing responses to expected charges. Harris aims to position herself as a formidable opponent who isn't just defending but actively reframing the narrative surrounding her candidacy.
Ultimately, the debate will not only test Harris' resilience but also serve as a national stage to reaffirm her role within the Democratic Party as it battles against a familiar adversary. With allies, strategists, and supporters rallying behind her, the upcoming confrontation is poised to be a defining moment not just for Harris, but for the future direction of the Democratic Party as it navigates its path forward in a fiery political landscape.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
