Van Jones: Harris could've stopped 'elder abuse' late in debate with Trump
CNN political commentator Van Jones said late Thursday that Vice President Harris "humiliated" former President Trump at this week's debate, adding that the Democratic nominee could’ve stopped the “elder abuse” toward the end of the event.
“Kamala Harris did something that no politician has done, ever,” Jones said during an appearance on "CNN NewsNight." “She didn’t just beat him. She humiliated him. She humiliated him.
“He has been the Pac-Man of American politics,” Jones added in remarks highlighted by Mediaite. "He has eaten up, gobbled up politicians, spit ’em out, went through 16 Republican governors and senators like it was nothing. And even when he does badly, he usually has something he can point to.”
The Tuesday night debate was the first time the candidates met in person. They clashed over a variety of issues such as the economy, immigration, abortion, health care. Harris repeatedly tried to get under Trump’s skin and, at times, seemed successful with the GOP nominee appearing visibly irritated in exchanges. A CNN flash poll, released following the debate, showed that 63 percent of registered voters said that Harris outperformed Trump. Around 37 percent thought that the former president was victorious.
“She whooped him so badly that I think he’s literally afraid to come back,” Jones said on CNN. “And so, now I agree the last 20 minutes, she could’ve stopped with the elder abuse at that point and then turn more to her program. I wish that she had, but she’s got plenty of time now. And now, the funk is off.”
"To quote the New York Times: 'Pundits may think Kamala won, but undecided voters aren't so sure,' ” Trump’s campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Hill in response to Jones's remarks.
Jones, a pundit and a Democratic strategist, added that Harris should do more media appearances, but that during the debate she showcased her ability to deal with political leaders, at home and abroad.
“I think she’s going to do a bunch of interviews,” he said. “I wanted her to do interviews. I agree with you, she needs to get her program to find, but she first had to demonstrate this is a woman who can deal with any man, Putin, Donald Trump or anybody else and she established that.”
Earlier this week, the CNN pundit said Harris put the ex-president “in his place” during the debate.
Trump on Thursday said he won't do another debate with Harris.
--Updated at 10:33 a.m. EDT
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