Hey there, folks. If you’re tuning into the wild world of politics right now, you know things are heating up faster than a summer barbecue. With the presidential election just around the corner—November 5, 2024, to be exact—the first big showdown between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is set for September 10 on ABC. It’s the kind of event that could swing voters left, right, and center. And who steps in with some straight-talking advice for Trump? None other than his former right-hand man, Mike Pence.
That’s right: mike pence advises donald trump to challenge kamala harris’ record in the upcoming debate, is dishing out debate strategy like it’s 2020 all over again. In a recent chat with RealClearPolitics, Pence didn’t hold back. “My advice to my old running mate is that he should challenge her to defend her record,” he said. He even got tactical: “Answer the question as quickly as you can, but then I think he should attack.” It’s classic Pence—polished, pointed, and aimed at the heart of the matter.
But wait, isn’t Pence and Trump on rocky terms these days? Absolutely. Their bromance fizzled after January 6, 2021, when Trump pressured Pence to overturn the election results, and a mob chanted “Hang Mike Pence!” outside the Capitol. Pence has made it clear he’s not endorsing Trump this time around—he’s staying neutral in the GOP primary dust-up. Yet here he is, offering olive-branch wisdom. Why? Because when it comes to debating Kamala Harris, Pence knows what he’s talking about. He squared off against her in the 2020 VP debate, and he’s got the scars (and maybe a fly on his head) to prove it.
In this article, we’re diving deep into Pence’s advice, why it matters, and how it could play out on that Philadelphia stage. We’ll break down Harris’ record, Trump’s playbook, and even throw in a handy table to compare the two candidates’ debate styles. Whether you’re a politics junkie or just someone who wants to chat about this over coffee with Grandma, I’ve kept it simple, straightforward, and easy to follow. No jargon, no fluff—just real talk on why this tip could be a turning point in the 2024 race.
Let’s jump in.
Who Is Mike Pence, and Why Should We Listen to Him on Debates?
Picture this: It’s October 7, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The world is knee-deep in COVID-19 chaos, plexiglass barriers are up like it’s a sci-fi movie, and Mike Pence is facing off against then-Senator Kamala Harris in the only VP debate of that cycle. Pence, the Indiana governor turned Trump’s loyal VP, walked in calm as a cucumber. Harris, the sharp-tongued California prosecutor, came loaded with facts and fire.
Pence held his own, defending Trump’s pandemic response with stats on ventilators shipped and Operation Warp Speed’s vaccine push. But Harris? She landed haymakers, calling Trump’s handling of the virus “the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.” She rattled off death tolls (over 200,000 at the time), shuttered businesses, and frontline workers without masks. And that iconic moment when Pence tried to interrupt? Harris raised her hand like a teacher scolding a chatty kid: “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.” Mic drop. The fly that landed on Pence’s head for two whole minutes? Internet gold, but a distraction from the substance.
Fast-forward to 2024. Pence is out of office, writing books, teaching at Notre Dame, and occasionally popping up to remind everyone he’s the anti-Trump in the GOP—pro-life, pro-traditional values, but firmly against election denialism. Despite the bad blood (Trump once called him “too honest” in a not-so-complimentary way), Pence’s debate experience makes him a goldmine for advice. He’s debated Harris head-on and lived to tell the tale. In his RealClearPolitics interview, he reflected: “We went into that debate with the expectation that she would be formidable, that she would be poised, and that she would make her case. I think we were right about the first two things, and not really the third… She either can’t, or won’t, defend her record.”
That’s the crux of Pence’s tip: Don’t let Harris glide by on charisma. Pin her down on policy. For Trump, who’s known for zingers over substance, this is sage counsel. It could help him avoid the pitfalls of 2020, when his interruptions and bleach-suggesting rants turned off moderates.
The Heart of the Advice: Challenge Kamala Harris’ Record—What Does That Even Mean?
Okay, let’s get real. Debates aren’t just about who looks presidential in a suit (though that helps). They’re battlegrounds where candidates expose weaknesses. Pence is telling Trump: Skip the personal barbs—at least mostly—and go after the Biden-Harris administration’s track record. Why? Because Harris has been VP for nearly four years, and there’s plenty of ammo there.
Harris’ record as VP? It’s a mixed bag, depending on who you ask. On the plus side, she’s championed voting rights, reproductive freedoms post-Roe v. Wade, and small business aid. She’s traveled to the border more than once, pushing for immigration reform. But critics—and Pence is one—say she hasn’t delivered. Remember when Biden tasked her with stemming migration from Central America? Republicans dubbed her “Border Czar,” and migrant encounters hit record highs: over 2.4 million in fiscal 2023 alone, per U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Harris has blamed climate change and poverty, but Trump could hammer: “You had three years—what changed?”
Then there’s the economy. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in 2022 under Biden-Harris, eroding savings for families. Gas prices soared past $5 a gallon in some spots, groceries up 25%. Harris ties herself to Biden’s “Bidenomics,” touting job growth (15 million created) and infrastructure bills. But Pence’s angle? Force her to own the pain: “Defend why Americans are paying $1,000 more a month for basics,” Trump might say, echoing Pence’s call to “attack” after a quick answer.
Foreign policy? Afghanistan’s messy 2021 withdrawal left 13 U.S. troops dead and billions in gear to the Taliban—Harris was on the national security team. She’s defended it as “extraordinarily successful,” but polls show 60% of Americans disagree (Pew Research, 2023). And on Israel-Hamas? Harris has pushed for ceasefires while backing aid, walking a tightrope with progressives.
Pence knows Harris shines when pivoting to Trump’s chaos—January 6, legal woes (34 felony counts in the hush-money case). But if Trump sticks to her record, he flips the script. It’s like Pence saying, “Don’t let her prosecute you; make her defend the courtroom she’s been in.”
Why This Advice Could Be a Trump Superpower—or a Trap
Trump’s no stranger to debates. In 2016, he steamrolled Hillary Clinton with lines like “Such a nasty woman.” In 2020 against Biden, he was a whirlwind—over 100 interruptions, per debate transcripts—but it backfired, making him look bullying. Now, at 78, facing a 59-year-old prosecutor? Pence’s tip is tailor-made.
Pros for Trump: It keeps him on message. His team’s prepping policy contrasts—border walls vs. open invites, tax cuts vs. spending sprees. Advisers like Susie Wiles and Jason Miller are drilling: “Secure the border, lower prices, stop global chaos caused by Kamala.” If Trump channels Pence’s calm attack, he could appeal to suburban women (where he trails Harris by 10-15 points, per recent Fox News polls) by focusing on kitchen-table issues, not nicknames.
But traps abound. Trump’s impulse is chaos: He wants mics unmuted for “real debate,” per CNN reports, to bait Harris into viral clips. Pence warns against it—remember Harris’ “I’m speaking” shutdown? If Trump interrupts, he risks looking like the old bully, especially with rules muting mics after time’s up. Plus, Harris’ prep team, led by lawyer Karen Dunn (who schooled Pence in 2020 mocks), is ready. She’s practicing prosecutorial jabs: “Prosecutor vs. felon.”
Pence’s neutrality adds intrigue. He’s not campaigning for Trump but hates seeing Harris win. “I could never support Kamala Harris,” he told RCP. It’s like an ex giving breakup tips—helpful, but don’t expect a reunion.
Flashback: Pence vs. Harris 2020—A Lesson in What Not to Do (and Do)
To really get Pence’s advice, rewind to that 2020 debate. It was policy-heavy: COVID, economy, Supreme Court (pre-Barrett drama). Pence stuck to script: Defend Trump, pivot to positives, attack Dems. Harris? She fact-bombed: “Donald Trump knew the danger… six months before the debate, he knew.” Pence countered with warp speed wins, but Harris owned the narrative on empathy.
Key moments:
- COVID Clash: Harris eviscerated Trump’s downplaying; Pence touted tests ramped from 1 million/week to 80 million.
- Economy: Pence praised pre-COVID boom; Harris hit tax cuts for the 1%.
- Interruptions: Pence’s folksy “Let me finish” met Harris’ firm boundaries.
Post-debate polls? A tie, but Harris boosted Biden’s momentum. Pence learned: Harris is poised but dodges deep record dives. Now, he’s passing the torch.
Kamala Harris’ Debate Style: Prosecutor Meets Politician
Harris isn’t just any debater—she’s a former DA who grilled Brett Kavanaugh in Senate hearings. Her style? Precise, passionate, prepared. In primaries, she eviscerated Biden on busing: “That little girl was me.” Against Pence, she stayed cool under fire.
Strengths: Stats at her fingertips (e.g., “200 million more doses than promised”), relatable stories (her Howard grad to AG rise). Weaknesses? She can seem scripted—Gabbard rattled her in 2019 with “opportunist” barbs. Against Trump, expect her to paint him as “unfit”: 91 indictments, E. Jean Carroll verdict.
But Pence’s challenge hits home. Harris has done few unscripted interviews since taking the top of the ticket (only three by September 2024, per transcripts). Trump could pounce: “Why hide from the press? Defend your border mess!”
Trump’s Debate Arsenal: From Zingers to Policy Punches
Trump’s prepping at Mar-a-Lago, not mock debates—rallies are his gym. Expect attacks on Harris’ “flip-flops”: Tough-on-crime DA to defund-the-police ally? Pro-fracking now after opposing it?
Pence urges balance: Quick answers, then attack. On economy: “Kamala’s inflation stole your raise.” Border: “Record crossings on her watch.” It could energize the base and sway independents tired of Biden-era woes.
A Quick Comparison: Pence’s Advice in Action
To make this super easy, here’s a simple table breaking down how Pence’s tip plays out for Trump vs. Harris. Think of it as a cheat sheet for debate night.
| Aspect | Trump’s Strategy (Per Pence) | Harris’ Likely Counter | Why It Matters for Voters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Gambit | Answer fast, pivot to attack on record (e.g., inflation under her watch). | Frame as “prosecutor vs. felon,” hit Jan. 6. | Sets tone—policy focus wins moderates. |
| Border Policy | Challenge: “3 years, 10M crossings—your failure?” | Blame Congress, tout bipartisan bill blocked by Trump. | Hot-button issue; 60% want stricter enforcement (Gallup). |
| Economy | “Harris’ spending spree = 20% grocery hike.” | “Bidenomics: 15M jobs, infrastructure wins.” | Hits home—pocketbook pain sways swing states. |
| Interruptions | Stay disciplined; mics muted helps. | “I’m speaking”—shut down chaos. | Avoids Trump looking bully-ish to women voters. |
| Closing Punch | Tie record to future: “Her mess, my fix.” | Vision: “Freedom over fear.” | Leaves lasting impression on undecideds. |
This table shows how Pence’s advice turns defense into offense. Simple, right?
What Happens If Trump Takes (or Ignores) the Advice?
If Trump listens? He could humanize himself—less bombast, more boss. Polls show a tight race: Harris up 1-3 points nationally (RealClearPolitics average, September 9, 2024), but battlegrounds like PA, MI, WI are toss-ups. A strong showing swings them red.
Ignore it? Back to 2020 pitfalls. Trump’s team knows: Women voters are key—he’s down double digits. Personal jabs like “Low IQ” (his past dig) alienate. Harris’ camp is giddy; they’re prepping for interruptions, per NBC.
Broader ripple? This debate’s rules—no crowd, muted mics—favor substance. It could reset the race post-Labor Day.
Wrapping It Up: Why Pence’s Words Echo Beyond the Stage
mike pence advises donald trump to challenge kamala harris’ record in the upcoming debate; it’s a window into GOP soul-searching. From loyal VP to critic, he’s reminding Trump: Win on ideas, not insults. For Harris, it’s a call to brace—her record’s fair game after dodging scrutiny.