By J Robert Smith
- Sept. 13, 2024
- 2-min read
It would have been so much better had Donald Trump’s closing remarks in last Tuesday’s presidential debate been his opening remarks. Why? Because Trump framed his fight against Harris powerfully. Asked the former president about Harris’ nearly four-year nonperformance: “Why hasn’t she done it?” That is, fix the problems she claims she’ll fix now – problems created by Biden-Harris.
Trump lost some traction coming out of Tuesday’s debate because, although Harris’ remarks came across as canned, she did succeed in making Trump the issue. Any election with an incumbent is supposed to be a referendum on the incumbent. That’s particularly true with Kamala Harris, who lacks the personal attributes to serve in the highest office, and as the “Harris” in the Biden-Harris administration is responsible for the woes that millions of Americans are experiencing – and will experience more deeply if Harris assumes the presidency.
The good news is that Trump has time to turn the tables. He needs to ask his question at every rally and in every interview he gives. His advertising needs to hammer away at it too. And it wouldn’t hurt to close this election with Regan’s memorable question: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”
Trump will be Trump, of course. He likes to riff. He tends to be too defensive, and spends more time explaining why he did what he did. But this election isn’t about Trump – or shouldn’t be. It’s about the struggles that tens of millions of working and middle-income wage earners are experiencing. It’s about Biden-Harris deliberately throwing open the southern borders to permit millions of illegals to enter. It’s about spreading crime. It’s about historic government and private sector corruption. It’s a bout the prospect of major war with Russia, China, or both. It’s about the future, which is shaky as hell thanks to Biden-Harris’ wretched leadership.
Trump, always the promoter and marketer, should brand merchandise and signs with “Harris: Why hasn’t she done it?” His ads should feature the question. Saturate it. And Trump should never leave a rally or interview having not asked that very potent question.
It’s a question that practically answers itself, and it’s a question Kamala Harris never wants asked.
