Christie says Harris should 'refuse to engage' with Trump's attacks during debate
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Sunday advised Vice President Harris to steer clear of engaging in a "back-and-forth" with former President Trump and to instead dismiss any of his personal attacks during this week's debate.
"If I were preparing Kamala Harris, I told her to write two words only on there: charm and disarm. That's it," Christie said on ABC News's "This Week." "She needs to look into that camera and charm the American people. She needs to show that she's not going to be the 24-hour-a-day leaf blower noise that he is."
"She's got to go and show them there's another way to lead. There is a way that you can be kind, that you can be smart and tough at the same time. That's the charm," he added. "Disarm ... do not engage him in that stuff.
Christie, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the GOP presidential nomination last year, pointed to Harris's answer when asked by anchor Dana Bash in a CNN interview last month about Trump's suggestion that she "turned Black."
“Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please,” Harris responded.
“That’s it?” Bash asked.
“That’s it,” Harris answered.
Christie said this was the "smartest answer" Harris gave during the interview.
"That's what will get under his [Trump's] skin. If she refuses to engage him in that back-and-forth, which Hillary failed at miserably because she wasn't good at it and she engaged, don't engage with him on that," Christie said. "That increases his stature. You want to decrease his stature by being dismissive of him."
A number of Trump's allies and Republicans have advised him to avoid personal insults against Harris and focus on their policy differences. His appearances on the campaign trail have featured insults against Harris's intelligence, mocking her laugh and questioning her racial identity.
Christie, who was involved in Trump's debate prep in 2016 and 2020 before his fallout with the former president, claimed Trump "really doesn't think he needs to prepare."
"There were times when we would go, and debate prep would be scheduled. We’d go in to sit with him and he would just say, 'No, I’m not doing it.' And that would be it. And it just wouldn't happen," he said. "He believes that just whatever his gut instincts are, are what's going to carry him."
"So, he will be typically Donald Trump, which is, he's going to go in there and wing it. And that's why I think what Kamala Harris does in this debate is significantly more important than what Donald Trump does because he’s going to be him," he added. "He’s just going to wing it. You've seen this show before. She's the one that's going to get the most attention."
The presidential debate between Harris and Trump is slated for Tuesday in Philadelphia. ABC News will host the 90-minute debate, which will begin at 9 p.m. EDT.
The event comes as The Hill/Decision Desk HQ national polling index shows Harris ahead of Trump by nearly 4 percentage points as she strives to narrow the gap with the former president in key battleground states.
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
Topics
-
The New York Times - World
Brazilian Politician Upends Debate by Hitting Opponent With Chair
The stunning attack on live television is likely to reorder the race to lead São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city.7 hours ago - Brazil -
The Hill - Politics
Over half of Americans say Harris won debate against Trump: Poll
More than half of Americans believe Vice President Harris won last week's presidential debate against former President Trump, according to a new poll. An ABC/Ipsos poll, released Sunday, found 58 ...20 hours ago - Kamala Harris -
CBS News - Top stories
Trump "safe" after incident being investigated as assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump is "safe and unharmed" and a suspect is in custody after allegedly pointing a high-powered rifle through golf course fence, officials say.Yesterday - Donald Trump -
MarketWatch - Business
Stock-market reaction up for debate as bets on a big Fed rate cut refuse to die
Strategists disagree over whether a jumbo rate cut would soothe or stoke recession fears.12 hours ago - Federal Reserve -
The Hill - Politics
Kamala Harris clearly won the debate. But will it matter?
Ultimately, the data highlights the fact that Harris’s debate performance, while impressive, is unlikely to drastically turn the tides in her favor.11 hours ago - Kamala Harris -
The New York Times - Top stories
Harris Shows Signs of Gains in Post-Debate Polls
It could be another week until the full scope of possible gains is evident.8 hours ago - Kamala Harris
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
McCabe calls for 'rethinking' of methods used to protect Trump
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on Monday called for a “rethinking” of the methods used to protect former President Trump, in light of a second apparent assassination attempt this weekend. ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Democrats pick another fight on IVF
Presented by Plan B One Step — Senate Democrats are trying to put Republicans in a bind as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to hold a second vote on a bill to establish a ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
Biden and Trump speak after potential assassination attempt
President Biden and former President Trump spoke over the phone Monday after an apparent assassination attempt against the Republican nominee at his Florida golf course. “We had a very nice call. ...1 hour ago - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Secret Service director credits agency for 'effective' response to Trump assassination attempt
Former President Trump has the highest levels of security, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe told reporters Monday, crediting the agency with thwarting an alleged would-be assassin from ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Rep. Joe Wilson returning to work after medical scare
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has received a pacemaker and will return to work in Washington, D.C., following a medical emergency last week. Wilson recorded a video released Monday saying that his ...2 hours ago