Staff Reports
Democrats are practically drooling at the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris stepping back on stage to face off against former President Donald Trump for another round of debate action. After Harris reportedly put on a strong showing in the last debate, her allies have pulled out a classic Trump taunt, suggesting she can debate “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.” The enthusiasm for a rematch among the left can be almost humorous, especially considering the state of the party a few weeks ago, when President Biden was floundering following a disastrous debate.
Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii joked that it would be in everyone’s best interest to have a debate every morning. This sounds more like an episode of a bad morning talk show than serious political engagement. Then there’s Senator John Fetterman, who boldly asserted that if Trump is “dumb enough” to agree to another debate, that’s on him. One can’t help but wonder if these Democrats are eager for another opportunity to see their Vice President attempt to charm her way through a debate against the master of verbal sparring.
No matter which side wins the debate this attitude is problematic in that one good performance doesn't guarantee a second one.
Emboldened Democrats adopt Trump’s ‘anytime, anyplace’ debate mantra https://t.co/XG1UDqMWdA via @dcexaminer
— steve lowe (@jslowe1949) September 12, 2024
For Trump, the last debate was a mixed bag. While there were moments where he could have seized the opportunity to define his opponent, it seemed like Harris did her best to keep him off course. With wild claims about Haitian migrants munching on pets in Ohio, Democrats could hardly contain their glee. Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota pointed out the missed chances for Trump, suggesting that if a rematch ever occurs, the former President might need to tighten up his game to avoid handing Democrats an easy win.
Harris had some considerable expectations to overcome before the first debate, though her campaign initially painted a somber picture of her chances against a seasoned debater like Trump. Almost as soon as the debate wrapped, however, her team was clamoring for a rematch, claiming Harris is more than ready to take on Trump again. The commentary following the event, including remarks about Trump possibly being too afraid of being on stage next to her, reveal that the Democrats are feeling a bit too confident in the wake of what they perceive as a victory.
Meanwhile, Trump has been less than enthusiastic about the idea of stepping back into the arena with Harris again. His potential motivations are painted less in the light of political strategy and more like a boxer deciding whether they want to climb back into the ring after a big fight. After all, if he was the one who emerged victorious, why would he want to give the Vice President another chance to battle it out? The media can hardly keep a straight face with Trump dismissing the idea of a rematch right after the debate, even as he reports his own poll numbers claiming he’s winning by a landslide.
As the debate fever escalates, near-comical speculation about whether Trump will face off against Harris again continues to swirl. With Republicans eager to establish their narrative before the campaign heats up, it’s clear that Trump’s camp will be watching the proceedings very closely. If recent debates have taught anything, it’s that even the mighty can find themselves at the mercy of a skilled opponent on stage, and many in the Republican party are hoping for a more favorable outcome next time around.
