North Dakota’s Republican Governor, Doug Burgum, insinuated on a recent Monday that the campaign strategy of Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to remain inconsistent throughout the election period. His comments followed reports regarding the Harris camp’s vacillation in relation to debates’ microphone policies on ABC’s upcoming presidential debate.
Previously, it was reported that despite the Biden camp’s request to mute mics during CNN’s June debate, Harris’s campaign is now pushing to keep the mics on. Their claimed reasoning surrounds their anticipation of former President Donald Trump potentially losing his cool and uttering something unfavorable.
Burgum, while appearing on Fox News’s America’s Newsroom, took issue with the constant changes and unpredictable stances. ‘The debate about the debate seems unending, and it is clear that the Harris team is determined to manipulate the situation,’ he stated.
The governor asserted that the Harris camp, known for their frequent reversals on issues, and notorious for taking refuge behind nameless aides’ quotes, will resort to all possible means to avoid a direct confrontation with Trump on the debate stage.
Burgum continued to express skepticism, commenting on the campaign’s preferential ‘stay in the vault inside the basement’ strategy. He implied their aversion to a Trump debate could be a tactic to keep Harris hidden from public scrutiny for a longer duration.
Trump, on the other hand, has been open about questioning the value of participating in an ABC News debate with Harris. The ex-president brought up her rejection of other networks’ debate offers, thereby contributing to the growing skepticism about his own enthusiasm to engage in debate with Harris.
Earlier in the month, Trump had proposed Harris to debate him on Fox News. However, the Vice-President’s consistent evasion and her camp’s insistence on changing debate rules have made Jason Miller, Trump’s senior advisor, perceive Harris’ campaign as ‘clearly worried’ about her debate preparedness.
Miller told the Washington Examiner that ‘The Harris campaign seems to be seeking strategies to duck out of the debate.’ The given justification for their demand to alter debate rules, according to him, could be a desperate search for an escape from the debate.
ABC News’ much-anticipated debate between Trump and Harris is due on September 10. Additionally, CBS News is hosting a vice presidential debate on October 1, featuring GOP Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio against Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Before these debates happen, Burgum urged the American voters to demand clear responses from Harris. As the Vice President, she remains noticeably absent from facing press inquiries individually since announcing her participation in the 2024 presidential run.
Burgum stated that it is unprecedented for a candidate to dodge media inquiries so colourfully, particularly this close to the election. He maintained that until she presents her own positions, voters could perhaps assume her policies won’t differ much from those of President Biden.
When referring to the Biden administration, Burgum invoked unsubtle derision. He argued that if Harris consistently evades questions, her policies are likely to closely echo those of her predecessor, putting the country’s best interests at stake.
In last month’s news, Burgum reported that Trump addressed him as ‘Mr. Secretary,’ a potential hint at the governor being considered for a cabinet position if Trump managed to clinch victory.
Trump’s contemplation over ‘Mr. Secretary’ Burgum has stirred rumors about the governor’s possible inclusion on his shortlist for vice presidential candidates for his run. The selection, however, eventually leaned towards Senator Vance.
This chain of events provides a clear picture of the tactics and evasions at play within the Harris campaign. Burgum’s skepticism of Harris’s commitment and attitudes towards debates and public transparency is challenging the VP’s credibility.
Whether these events and speculations will have any impact on the election remains to be seen. It’s clear, though, that the Harris campaign’s inconsistency and avoidance of media spotlight underlines Burgum’s doubts, and it’s a narrative that is not going unnoticed among the American electorate.