Former Arkansas GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson warned Vice President Kamala Harris may come across as overly scripted in the upcoming presidential debate, while former President Donald Trump could benefit from his more relaxed, off-the-cuff approach.
Hutchinson weighed in on the contrasting debate styles of Harris and Trump on Newsmax's "Wake Up America Weekend" on Saturday.
Hutchinson stressed the importance of the debate, highlighting the potential for substantive policy discussions.
"This debate is critical, and I think it's an opportunity under these debate rules for a real policy discussion," he said. "I think the American public is going to be the beneficiary of having the mics muted, and I certainly hope so."
He added both candidates need to focus on policy, which is what the public wants to hear.
Harris' stance on major issues has changed and she would need to explain those shifts convincingly, according to Hutchinson.
"From Kamala Harris' standpoint, she's flip-flopped on major issues, and she just simply says, well, 'I haven't changed my values,'" Hutchinson stated. "That's too general of an answer in this debate. She has to convince the American public that her change is sincere."
Hutchinson also noted Trump has a significant opportunity to challenge Harris on policy rather than personal attributes.
"Donald Trump has a lot of room to hit Kamala Harris not on her personality, not on who she is, not on her race, but on her policies and her changes in it," he explained. "Donald Trump will make a mistake if he tries to personalize this in demeaning ways."
The former governor highlighted that Trump's success in the debate would depend on his ability to present clear, conservative policies.
"He's got to be disciplined, and he also needs to give better answers," Hutchinson said, urging Trump to address policy solutions that resonate with the voting public.
Harris would likely be well-prepared, according to Hutchinson, who warned her approach could come across as rehearsed.
"Kamala will be so well-prepared that it could come across as scripted," he observed. "She's got to take a deep breath, relax, and not be that scripted person that's memorized every line."
In contrast, "Donald Trump is easier to prepare in the sense that he can wing it better," he said, adding that Trump's personality, humor, and comfort on the debate stage are assets.
However, Hutchinson cautioned that Trump must avoid alienating key voter groups, especially women and independents in swing states, who could be crucial in the election.
"He needs to reinforce his base, but he also needs to go after those swing voters that are so important," Hutchinson concluded, underscoring the delicate balance both candidates must strike in the upcoming debate.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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