Kamala Harris Discusses Debate Preparations in New Book

Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently shared insights into her preparation for the debate against Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle in her book, 107 Days. She detailed methods for addressing potentially harsh online attacks related to abortion and, surprisingly, Viagra.

During this preparation phase, Harris and her team—comprising veteran advisors and legal experts—retreated to the basement of Howard University, her alma mater. It was a somewhat unconventional setting for such a serious undertaking, as she likened her advisors to “wartime consiglières.” This took place before President Biden exited the race in July 2024, and Harris found herself gearing up for a debate against Trump, even discussing how to address JD Vance in the Vice President’s debate.

In her book, Harris recalls that a significant focus was on preparing her for the uncomfortable possibility of personal attacks from Trump. She writes, “He might ask if you’ve ever had an abortion,” a suggestion from one of her advisors as they strategized her responses. This was just one of many possible angles they anticipated Trump might take.

Harris reminisced about voicing her frustrations to her husband during one of these intense preparation sessions, particularly regarding the nature of personal attacks. She reflects on how someone suggested tackling issues like, “If he gets that personal, you should ask if he took Viagra,” and, “Has he ever paid for an abortion?”

Interestingly, while abortion-related questions came up during their debate, there were no aggressive personal attacks about Viagra. Harris noted that Trump likely recognized the risk of making such comments—understanding that they could ignite strong reactions from many women across the country.

Interestingly, she did express some regret over how her situation was managed after Biden’s departure from the race, hinting at the emotional weight of the campaign. Harris illustrates her preparation process, mentioning that her team created discussion cards addressing various nuances. Looking back, she felt the need to truly understand the arguments rather than just memorize lines, emphasizing the importance of authentic engagement.

The book, 107 Days, is set to release soon, capturing her experiences on the campaign trail during the 107 days following Biden’s exit due to concerns regarding his mental health. Despite her challenges, Harris successfully gained the support needed to confront Trump, navigating a divided political landscape.