Harris fails to secure debate rule concessions ahead of clash with Trump

After much hemming and hawing, Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris finally agreed to a set of terms governing her Tuesday debate with former President Donald Trump.

However, it has since emerged that the Harris camp remains frustrated by some of the concessions that were made in that they may serve to limit her on-stage strategy for countering her Republican rival, as ABC News reports.

Debate rules released

Perhaps one of the most significant blows to Harris' debate plans came when ABC News declared that microphones would only be live for the candidates while it was their respective turn to speak and that they would remain muted when it is the opposing contender's time to hold forth.

The rule was said to scuttle Harris' intention to recreate a viral moment from her 2020 clash with Mike Pence in which she forcefully admonished the then-VP hopeful by repeating, “I'm speaking.”

Another unfortunate turn of events for Harris came during a virtual coin flip held last week to determine podium placement as well as the order in which the candidates will deliver their closing statements.

Trump prevailed in the coin toss and opted to give the final closing statement of the evening, allowing his vision to be the last one heard by the nationwide audience.

Further, despite Harris' preference for a seated debate aided by notes, both requests were denied, with just a pen, blank pad of paper, and a bottle of water permitted at the podium.

Replicating battle conditions

Despite her likely disappointment with some of the rules set to govern her confrontation with Trump, Harris has soldiered on, installing herself in a Pittsburgh hotel for days of intensive debate prep.

In an effort to simulate debate-night conditions as closely as possible, the Harris team has gone to the unusual – and arguably bizarre – length of having the VP engage in practice sessions with an aide wearing an orange wig, as the Daily Mail reports.

Not only has Harris adviser Phillipe Reines stood at a rehearsal podium sporting a hairpiece meant to mimic Trump's flamboyant coiffure, he has also taken to wearing platform shoes designed to replicate the former president's impressive physical stature.

Having no use for prompts or play-acting in the run-up to Tuesday, Trump has kept his focus on holding campaign events that bring him in contact with everyday voters.

Explaining his philosophy last week to Sean Hannity, Trump stated, “You can go in with all the strategy, you want but you have to sort of fell it out as the debate's taking place.”

Considering that he is utilizing a similar approach to the one he took prior to his June debate with Joe Biden, Trump has every reason to believe that his on-stage encounter with Harris will prove just as devastating to the Democrats' prospects and help propel him back to the White House.