CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Two UVA Politics pundits weigh in on what both Presidential candidates need to do in Tuesday night’s debate. UVA Politics Professor Larry Sabato says being this might be the only debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, it takes on a singular importance. He says the more Donald Trump attacks Biden and puts Biden’s burden on her shoulders, the better off he will probably be. Sabato said that would “seem credible” to his followers and maybe to some of the few undecideds. He says people will wonder about how she and Trump will get along on stage, will Trump do what he normally does to a Democratic opponent, and especially a woman.
UVA Miller Center Politics Lecturer Mary Kate Cary told WINA’s Morning News Donald Trump should “right off the bat” shake hands with Harris. She notes Trump has not up to this point shaken hands with debate opponents, and that would “go a long way toward him coming across as more charming, calm, reasonable, and friendlier than usual”. She also thinks Trump should be prepared for a “supposedly unscripted, but scripted moment”. Cary notes Harris did this in debates with Biden and Pence, and in the Supreme Court confirmation hearing with Brett Kavanaugh.
As for Harris, Cary thinks she “needs to come across as smart, prepared, and strong, I would advise short answers so she doesn’t go down rabbit holes like she sometimes does”. She thinks Harris needs to talk issues, and talk about why some of her stances have seemed to moderate since she started running for President.
