As the anticipation builds for the upcoming debate, Kamala Harris' aides have been strategizing on how to handle potential falsehoods from former President Donald Trump. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that the team is cautious about engaging in direct fact-checking, considering past attempts by President Joe Biden that did not resonate well with viewers.
Harris' aides and allies are well aware of Trump's unpredictable nature and are fully expecting him to make false statements during the debate. Part of Harris' debate preparations has involved planning how to navigate these moments without getting drawn into a back-and-forth fact-checking exchange, especially since microphones will be turned off when the other candidate is speaking.
One source shared with CNN that the advice given to the vice president is to focus on speaking directly to the American people and not allow Trump to sidestep important issues. The emphasis is on utilizing the limited time effectively to address key concerns that matter most to Americans.
Furthermore, Harris' allies have cautioned against getting caught up in tallying Trump's falsehoods. Instead, the focus is on Harris maintaining a commitment to truth without directly engaging in fact-checking Trump during the debate.
According to a close Harris ally, the strategy is to steer the conversation back to the campaign's core message that Harris is dedicated to offering solutions rather than getting entangled in disputes over factual inaccuracies.
With the understanding that Trump can be unpredictable and disruptive, Harris is said to be well-prepared to stay focused on her message and not be derailed by potential distractions during the debate.
