[I do not keep my opinions or advice to myself, so I wrote the following to the Democratic candidate for the presidency. I share it with my readers because of the points it makes toward the end.]
Dear Vice President Harris:
I shall be brief in offering unsolicited advice on any “debate” in any format with former President Trump and on your campaign and message.
I expect him to speak for himself or to respond to moderators’ questions or your comments as he did in the first debate. I advise you to respond to Trump as follows:
1. Dismiss his comments as variously misleading, confused, untrue, insulting, or irrelevant, etc.
2. Declare that you are not going to bog yourself down in refutations or clarifications.
3. Then do not.
4. Observe that Trump did not answer the question.
5. Declare your intent to answer the question.
6. Then answer it.
I offer much the same advice about the various slurs—sexist, racist, whatever—which will continue to be directed at you. Let your supporters or the press deal with them. Stay on message, and deliver it in a few places which would be surprised by your visit, your understanding of local problems, and your support for some sensible solutions. And keep smiling; I am not alone in preferring your smiling to Trump’s scowling.
A note on your message. Trump’s choice of Senator J. D. Vance is a bad one. Many have noted his “weird” or offensive views. Fewer have noted their link to your theme of “freedom.” I advise you to ask whether, with only one-and-a-half years in public office, Vance has the depth and breadth of nuanced knowledge, and the maturity of judgment to maintain freedom and democracy in this country, much less around the world, from day one. After all, if elected, he would be one heartbeat away from Trump’s death by cheeseburger. Maybe Trump is too old and Vance too young to be president.
I have supported all Democrats but one since 1964. I was pleased by Barack Obama’s campaign and victory. By comparison, I am totally jazzed by you and your campaign; you are the right person at the right time for this country and this cause. I have already put my money where my mouth is; I wish I could give more.
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