As Vice President Kamala Harris kicks off her presidential campaign, allies of former President Donald Trump are urging him to refrain from making personal attacks against her and instead focus on policy critiques. The debate highlights concerns within the GOP about alienating moderate and independent voters by attacking Harris's character or physical traits.
Vice President Kamala Harris's entry into the 2024 presidential race has prompted a strategic shift among former President Donald Trump's allies, who are urging him to prioritize policy attacks rather than personal criticisms of Harris. This shift reflects concerns within the Republican Party about potentially alienating moderate and independent voters by focusing on Harris's character or physical traits.
Trump Allies Advised to Focus on Policy, Not Personal Attacks Against Kamala Harris as Race Heats Up
Trump's allies have been accused of making derogatory comments about Harris, characterizing her as a "DEI candidate" chosen solely based on "diversity, equity, and inclusion" principles. However, several Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), believe that such rhetoric could damage Trump's chances of winning the election.
"This woman just isn't ready to be commander-in-chief of the country," Miller said. "I think Republicans should focus on that, as opposed to what Democrats do, which is to call out someone based off of their skin color or gender."
Trump Allies Advised to Focus on Policy, Not Personal Attacks Against Kamala Harris as Race Heats Up
Former Trump Cabinet member Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) also believes that Trump should avoid personal attacks and instead highlight Harris's policy failures. "I don't think he'll be on the personal attacks," Zinke said.
Trump has indicated that border policy will be a central theme of his criticism of Harris, whom he has nicknamed "Failed Border Czar Kamala Harris." Harris has been criticized for her handling of the border crisis during her tenure as Vice President.
Trump Allies Advised to Focus on Policy, Not Personal Attacks Against Kamala Harris as Race Heats Up
Several House Republicans have echoed the sentiments of Miller and Zinke, cautioning against personal attacks on Harris. "Personal aspersions don't work in politically successful campaigns," one House Republican told Fox News Digital. "So yeah, let's knock that stuff off."
Trump ally Greg Steube (R-Fla.) emphasized the importance of focusing on Harris's record rather than her personal attributes. "I would think we're beyond that… She owns every bit of the Biden-Harris administration for the last three and a half years. And that's all you have to focus on," Steube said.
Trump Allies Advised to Focus on Policy, Not Personal Attacks Against Kamala Harris as Race Heats Up
House GOP leaders have urged their members to refrain from attacks on Harris's personality and physical traits during a closed-door conference meeting. However, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has leaned into such attacks, suggesting that Harris was chosen as Biden's running mate because of her race and gender.
Greene's comments highlight the division within the GOP over how to approach the Harris campaign. Some Republicans believe that personal attacks could alienate moderate voters, while others believe that such attacks are necessary to highlight Harris's perceived weaknesses.
As the race heats up, it remains to be seen whether Trump will heed the advice of his allies and focus on policy attacks. The outcome of the election may hinge on the Republican Party's ability to strike a balance between criticizing Harris's record and refraining from personal attacks that could alienate key voters.
