Here is what I would say if I were in her position:
- TRY TO LOOK BOTH STRONG AND GLAMOROUS: Four years ago, I conducted a thought experiment as to whether American men would vote for Angelina Jolie for president. I concluded that they would. Harris should be aspiring to a subdued version of that image.
- EMBRACE IDENTITY, BUT TRANSCEND IT: Say something like “I’m half Asian, half black, but 100 percent American.” The public will love it.
- RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE REAGAN QUESTION: Americans are far better off than they were in 2020. Lay it out and explain why, focusing to a large extent on Trump’s chaotic response to the pandemic.
- PROSECUTE THE CASE AGAINST TRUMP: In clear language, set out the man’s crimes against the public, starting with events that occurred before his presidency. Don’t pull punches here.
- DRAW CLEAR DISTINCTIONS ON THE ISSUES: Talk about climate change, guns, abortion, Ukraine, Gaza, inflation, the border, and financial help for Americans who need it. Explain how Trump’s ideas will only leave America poorer, weaker, and alone in a dangerous world.
- FINISH BY DESCRIBING TRUMP’S VISION FOR AMERICA IN THE 1950S, AND EXPLAIN WHY WE NEED TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE, INSTEAD: Trump doesn’t have a plausible way of getting us back to 1950, but if he did, he would be imposing second-class status on tens of millions of Americans. The country has always looked to the future, not the past. It must continue to do so.