Pollster Frank Luntz didn’t hold back on Monday when he pointed out that former President Donald Trump has a golden opportunity to put Vice President Kamala Harris in a tight spot during their upcoming presidential debate. Scheduled for September 10 on ABC News, this face-off could be the perfect moment for Trump to zero in on issues that Harris likely won’t be able to wiggle out of.
Luntz, appearing on “CNN News Central,” had a few pointers for Trump, even though he made it clear he’s not officially advising the campaign. He suggested that Trump should challenge Harris on the elephant in the room: inflation. “If I were in Trump’s shoes,” Luntz said, “I’d ask her why inflation skyrocketed under her watch. What are they planning to do about it now? And most crucially, are people better off today than they were four years ago?” Luntz pointed out that this last question isn’t new—it’s a classic from Ronald Reagan, and if Trump delivers it plainly, it could hit home. However, Luntz expressed some doubt about Trump’s ability to execute this strategy effectively.
Earlier in the segment, Luntz also reflected on Trump’s 2020 debate performance against Joe Biden, where he thought Trump made a critical mistake by not letting Biden speak more. According to Luntz, Trump needs to show that he can handle Harris without coming off as rude or obnoxious—an image problem that cost him a significant chunk of female voters in 2020. These voters might have supported his policies but were turned off by his demeanor.
Harris, meanwhile, had her first sit-down interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on Thursday since officially launching her 2024 presidential campaign. Luntz was less than impressed, saying on Friday that she’ll need to step up her game if she wants to hold her own against Trump. “She talked about understanding the rising costs of food, fuel, housing, and healthcare, but she didn’t offer any real solutions,” Luntz remarked. He also criticized Harris for focusing too much on defending her own values rather than addressing the priorities that matter to everyday Americans.
Looking back at the June 27 debate between Trump and Biden, Luntz noted how Biden’s poor performance led to widespread calls for him to drop out of the race, which he eventually did just weeks later. The implication here is clear: if Harris doesn’t come prepared, she could find herself in a similar situation. With the stakes so high, this debate isn’t just about policy—it’s about who can convince the American people that they’re the right choice for the next four years. Trump has the questions, and if he plays his cards right, Harris might find herself struggling for answers.
Frank Luntz Says Trump 'Has Questions That He Can Ask' That Harris 'Can't Answer' During Debate pic.twitter.com/Y7rFWxabbv
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 2, 2024
