Image credits - Britannica
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Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has advised Vice President Kamala Harris to be cautious and not underestimate former President Donald Trump as they prepare for their upcoming debate on September 10. In an interview with CNN’s Sara Sidner, Pritzker emphasized that Trump should not be taken lightly based on his previous debate performances.
Pritzker pointed out Trump’s notable debate successes, including his performances against both Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and President Joe Biden in a recent debate. “I don’t think anybody should underestimate Donald Trump,” Pritzker said. “He has won a couple of debates that he did. Certainly, people would say that he won the debate against President Biden a couple of months ago.”
The debate, scheduled to be hosted by ABC News, will mark a significant moment in the 2024 election cycle. Pritzker acknowledged Harris’s capabilities and communication skills but warned that these qualities alone might not suffice to counter Trump’s formidable debating style. “Kamala Harris is a tremendous person with great capability,” he said, “but that might not be enough to beat Trump.”
Pritzker stressed the importance for Harris to effectively communicate her points and avoid being thrown off by Trump’s tactics. “Getting those points of view across and making sure you’re not getting flummoxed, frankly, by Donald Trump, will be an important thing for Kamala Harris,” he added.
The debate’s preparation has seen some contention regarding the rules. Harris’s team has been pushing for adjustments to the debate format, particularly concerning microphone usage. They are seeking to modify the previously agreed-upon rules, which initially included muted microphones for the opposing candidate during speaking times. The Harris campaign has expressed concerns about the draft rules sent by ABC News and has yet to sign off on them, highlighting a desire for a more balanced debate environment.
As the debate approaches, both campaigns are navigating these final details, with Pritzker’s warnings adding another layer of anticipation to the high-stakes event.