Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has taken a new line of attack against his opponent, Kamala Harris, and not all Republican leaders are happy with the tactic.
Advice For Trump
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has issued some advice to former president and GOP nominee Donald Trump, urging him to change his rhetorical tactics against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Focus on Her Record
The senator appeared on Fox News Sunday to suggest that Trump should focus on Harris’ “bad judgment” and “dangerous liberal record,” rather than her racial background and heritage.
Comments at Journalism Conference
This was in reference to Trump’s latest controversial stance. While appearing at a National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago last week, he claimed that Harris – who is half Indian and half Jamaican – had only recently embraced her Black heritage.
Questioning Her Heritage
Trump went on a bizarre rant to his followers, asking them whether Harris identifies as “Indian or Black?”
Digging Deeper
Despite a polarized response from the crowd, he continued on adding, “She was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person.”
An Angry Response
His comments have provoked anger and offense in the media, including claims that they could further inflame accusations from Republican lawmakers that Harris has used her race to further her political aims.
Alienating Black Voters?
Fox guest anchor Jacqui Heinrich broached the topic with Graham on Sunday, asking if he believes that Trump’s comments could potentially “alienate millions of Black voters” from the Republican cause.
The Problem For Graham
“[H]ere’s what I would say to President Trump,” Graham began. “The problem I have with Kamala Harris is not her heritage; it is her judgment.”
“Her Dangerous Liberal Record”
“Every day we’re talking about her heritage and not her terrible, dangerous liberal record throughout her entire political life is a good day for her and a bad day for us,” he continued, urging Trump to make the case against her “bad judgment” going forward.
South Carolina Demographics
For Graham, the potential alienation of Black America is an important concern, given that 25% of South Carolina is Black, according to DataUSA.
A Warning
Despite being a long-time supporter of the former president, Graham warned that choosing the wrong messages to run on could cost Trump the election.
“Your Election to Lose”
“This is your election to lose,” Graham said during the interview, directly addressing Trump. “It’s important to win.”
Looking For Strategies
The Trump campaign has been scrambling for a new line of attack against Harris, who was formally announced as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nominee on Monday.
Taking it to Social Media
Targeting Harris’ heritage appears to be at the fore of the campaign’s offensive for now, with Trump also sharing photos of Harris dressed in an Indian sari on social media.
More Jabs During Campaign
On the same day of the conference interview, the former president attended a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where his campaign projected an image of a past headline from Business Insider, which celebrated Harris as the “first Indian-American U.S. senator.”
Harris Dismisses Trump’s Comments
Harris publicly responded to Trump’s NABJ conference comments during a campaign rally in Houston, Texas, where she dismissed his attempts to “disrespect” her.
“Divisiveness” and “Disrespect”
“It was the same old show: the divisiveness, and the disrespect,” she told the crowd. “And let me just say the American people deserve better. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth.”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Al Teich.
