In her new book, “107 Days,” former Vice President Kamala Harris provides an inside look at her debate preparation against Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle. According to Harris, she faced not just traditional preparations but also crude hypothetical attacks regarding deeply personal subjects such as abortion and Viagra use. The atmosphere was charged as she gathered with her team in the basement of Howard University, where she had once studied, to arm herself for a potential verbal assault.
Harris drew on a diverse team of advisers, including a seasoned trial attorney she likened to a “wartime consigliere.” This suggests she was keenly aware of the potential for an aggressive interrogation style from Trump. In her own words, she focused on “the painful matter of imagining what kinds of personal attacks Trump might mount against me.” One adviser anticipated a provocative question: “He might ask you if you’ve ever had an abortion.” Harris had a firm response ready: “That’s none of your business and that’s not what we’re here for.”
As she recounts in her book, the atmosphere during her training was not solely serious. One adviser made a “dark joke” suggesting that if Trump ventured into that territory, she could counter by asking him, “if he took Viagra.” This moment highlights the level of candidness in her preparations, which included grappling with both potential slights and deflections.
Despite the focus on personal attacks, when the actual debate occurred, the expected provocative questions did not materialize. Harris writes, “In the end, he didn’t go down that track. He probably knew a question like that would be exceedingly thin ice for him…and would infuriate just about every woman in America.” This observation illustrates both her understanding of the political landscape and the responsibility of candidates to navigate sensitive topics carefully.
Harris emphasized the importance of deep understanding over rote memorization. She insisted, “I am not a trained seal; I’m not going to memorize lines and spout them. I have to understand the logic and building blocks of every argument so I can present it clearly and defend it persuasively.” This perspective underscores her desire to be seen as credible and capable rather than simply a performer echoing rehearsed lines.
The book also reflects a bittersweet period in Harris’s political journey. Following Biden’s dropout in July 2024, she was thrust into the spotlight during a turbulent time for the Democratic Party. Despite her extensive preparations, she faced significant challenges on the campaign trail and ultimately lost each of the pivotal battleground states on November 4, 2024.
In “107 Days,” Harris attempts to capture not just her personal journey but the broader struggles of her party in a highly contentious election. The reflection on her debate prep reveals both the seriousness of the campaign and perhaps her own vulnerabilities, portraying a determined figure intent on maintaining dignity in the face of adversity.
"*" indicates required fields
