“We have told ABC and other networks seeking to host a possible October debate that we believe both candidates’ mics should be live throughout the full broadcast,” Brian Fallon, the Harris campaign’s senior adviser for communications, tells POLITICO. “Our understanding is that Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own. We suspect Trump’s team has not even told their boss about this dispute because it would be too embarrassing to admit they don’t think he can handle himself against Vice President Harris without the benefit of a mute button.”

Lmao this is great. Hit him right in the ego. It’s such a hilariously obvious weak spot. I’m going to be a bit surprised if this tactic doesn’t work. And as to whether or not it’s a good idea: I feel pretty confident Harris would be fine in this context, because she’d just put her old DA hat on and refuse to take any bullshit. I’m an order of magnitude more enthusiastic about her potential debate performance than I was about Biden.

It could be rope-a-dope. Harris demands something that Trump actually wants. Trump has no idea what to do.

We have never been closer to Donny using the N-word live on tv than we are at this exact moment

Huh, I figured this was Trump looking to pull his usual antics, but it's Kamala looking to get him to pull his antics.

Here's a crazy idea: no PERSON is involved in cutting off the mic.

They're on timers.

X you have 45 seconds to answer. timer clicks down and auto shuts off

Boom.

Nobody has to worry about biased moderation because they wouldn't let cheeto ramble weirdly for ten minutes.

And more importantly we won't have to deal with a fucking child doing the "I STILL TALKING AND LOUDER SO MY POINT IS BEST LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU* on stage while 30% of the country cheers.

This is probably a good call. In the debate with Biden, Trump gish galloped through every question without ever actually answering any questions. By the time Biden got to speak, there were ten or fifteen lies to respond to. Even Harris could be overwhelmed by the magnitude of that. She needs to be able to interrupt Trump as he lies as well as to point out that he didn't answer the question he was asked.

This seems risky. “Never argue with an idiot. They’ll drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”

On the other hand, vamping is his entire persona. If she can shut that down and emphasize how pathetic it is (without losing her own composure), it’s basically game over.

But Biden is no longer running for president. And Harris’ campaign wants the microphones to be hot at all times during the ABC debate — as has historically been the case at presidential debates.

That's really stupid...

Article goes to say they want trump to interrupt Harris because they think if Trump is loud and keeps interrupting it'll hurt him?

That's what his supporters want...

I can't believe it's not trump wanting the mics to stay on

Interesting that the Harris campaign is being reported to want the mics to stay on, which runs counter to what many have demanded as a requirement for debating Trump. That would mean she is less concerned with him attempting to talk over her (her famous "I'm speaking" line comes to mind), and perhaps more interested in catching him saying something she can attack.

As annoying as it is, and there is some risk, I think letting Trump rave and bluster might be the best way to go. Especially in the hands of a skilled prosecutor.

This will turn into 45min of Kamala reminding Trump that she is talking now.

So if this is just reverse psychology, does it mean that the Harris campaign literally has to deal with the Trump campaign the same way one does with a toddler?

"Our understanding is that Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own.”

— Harris campaign adviser Brian Fallon, quoted by Politico, on Donald Trump threatening to back out of the September 10 debate

Can we please have debates that arent shouting matches? Like, I know one of the candidates is crazy, but it would be nice to have a better formula to stick to next time.

This is so unfair. When is he supposed to shit his diaper if the mics are always on?!?!

Four mics, always on: one on each podium and one lapel on each of their asses.

Trump's so you can hear it each time Harris makes him literally shit himself. Kamala's so that she can run ads about performing a "clean" debate.