As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to take the stage in Philadelphia on Tuesday, she faces an unexpected challenge that goes beyond her direct opponent, former President Donald Trump. According to a recent opinion piece in the New York Times, Harris’s most formidable adversary in this debate cycle is actually President Joe Biden himself.
The piece, written by Carlos Lozada, highlights that Harris must navigate a complex and delicate balancing act. On one hand, she is tasked with defending the record of the Biden administration, while on the other hand, she must address its shortcomings. This dual role makes her position particularly challenging as she has to both champion Biden’s achievements and grapple with his administration’s controversies.
Lozada points out that Harris’s debate dilemma is straightforward yet awkward. She faces a choice between fully embracing the accomplishments of the Biden administration and risking criticism over issues like inflation and border security or distancing herself, which could portray her as ineffective and out of touch. This situation presents a harder sell to the American public, as she must simultaneously be a reformer and an institutionalist.
The upcoming debate also brings another layer of complexity. The Harris campaign has expressed frustration with the debate rules, particularly regarding the control of microphones and the moderation of exchanges. They argue that the current format, which allows for muted microphones, places Harris at a disadvantage and could shield Trump from direct scrutiny.
Despite initially accepting the debate rules, Harris’s campaign has pushed for changes to ensure microphones remain live throughout the event, aiming for a more equitable debate environment. This shift in stance has sparked criticism from Trump’s campaign, highlighting the contentious nature of the debate preparations.
The dynamics of this debate are further complicated by Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July. As Trump demonstrated significant improvement in his debate performance and Biden’s poor showing contributed to his exit, the upcoming debate could be a critical moment for Harris to establish her own position and address the administration’s legacy.