​Donald Trump’s campaign insists that they’re pursuing multiple strategies against Kamala Harris, but the true picture that is emerging is that the Trump senior advisers’ grand plan, for now, is to pray that the former US president ​has a good night at the presidential debate next month.

​The game plan, in other words, has become one of hoping that Trump wins the debate so they can regain momentum – a stunning approach that shows the serious predicament for Trump and his campaign as he struggles to find ways to land effective attacks against the vice-president just months before the election.

​What has happened internally in the Trump campaign in recent weeks is the realization that nothing they do in the period up to the debate is likely to cut through in a significant way that blunts Harris’s gains that have her level in key swing state polls, according to people close to the matter.

​And because they don’t think the messaging will cut through, senior advisers are left hoping that Trump can energize voters with his performance on stage, the people said.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    It’s about being able to form cogent arguments and rebuttals while publicly speaking. It has nothing to do with trustworthiness.

    I keep asking you this and you keep refusing to answer, but I’ll ask you again: Who should Americans vote for president in November?

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      It’s about being able to form cogent arguments and rebuttals while publicly speaking.

      This isn’t Lincoln-Douglas at the Harvard Yacht Club. People aren’t tuning in to make up their minds.

      Modern presidential debates are just nationally syndicated The Dozens. People tune in to heckle the people they hate and cheer the ones they love.

      Past that, which debate in Harris’s last nine years on the national stage made her look cogent? She’s been at this since 2015. Her claim to fame right now is “You didn’t just fall out of a coconut tree” followed by nervous laughter.

      Who should Americans vote for president in November?

      I’m being told it all rides on this next televised shouting match, so I guess we’ll have to watch the debate to find out.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        I didn’t ask who will they vote for.

        I asked who should they vote for.

        Who should Americans vote for in November? In your personal opinion.

        • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          I asked who should they vote for.

          Isn’t that what the debate is supposed to answer? If you go into the debate already having made up your mind, why watch?

          Who should Americans vote for in November? In your personal opinion.

          I must remain undecided until I have heard both candidates fully advance their respective cases.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            You are being highly dishonest now. You know exactly where both Trump and Harris stand on issues. Don’t suddenly pretend you’re politically naive.

            There is a stark difference between the two candidates. Why can’t you just say who people should vote for?

            But if you really want to play this game, do you pledge to tell me who you believe people should vote for when the debate is over?

            • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              You know exactly where both Trump and Harris stand on issues.

              Then why do we care about the results of the debate? You want to see Brat Girl Kamala deliver Epic Owns on Trump because… it makes you feel good? Or because you think it will actually win over voters?

              There is a stark difference between the two candidates.

              There’s certainly a stark difference in their marketing.

              But if you really want to play this game, do you pledge to tell me who you believe people should vote for when the debate is over?

              I’m saving my decision for Voting Day. Last month Kamala wasn’t even at the top of the ticket. How can I tell you who I’m going to vote for when Demolition Ranch has millions of subscribers and Trump is still doing public speaking events?

                • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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                  2 months ago

                  You watch the polls swing in the wind, yet you refuse to believe an undecided voter exists.

                  I’ll tell you this much, I wasn’t going to touch Joe Biden.

                  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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                    2 months ago

                    Oh no, I absolutely believe undecided voters exist.

                    I do not believe you are one of them.

                    Anyone can look at your comment history and see which of the two you clearly favor. Why can’t you just be honest about it?