Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared Monday that no one should “underestimate” former President Donald Trump's ability to win his next key debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
“He actually won some debates,” Pritzker said of Trump during an appearance on CNN. “Certainly, people will say he won a debate with President Biden a few months ago,” the Harris rep added.
Pritzker, 59, argued that Trump, 78, won at least one of his three 2016 presidential debates with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and said that while Harris is a “great person with great abilities” she should be careful onstage with the former president.
“I knew when he first ran he won the debate against Hillary Clinton,” the governor said. “Don't underestimate him.”
“No one should think that Kamala Harris is more capable of winning a debate than Donald Trump,” Pritzker continued, “They will emerge as formidable opponents with very different perspectives.”
Pritzker explained that one of the keys to Harris winning the challenge is getting her message across without being “embarrassed” by Trump.
Harris and Trump are scheduled to face off for the first time in a debate hosted by ABC News on September 10.
Veteran pollster Frank Luntz argued on CNN on Monday that the debate will be “everything” for voters.
“When voters see two candidates side by side, it's the body language that makes them listen, not just to their answers, but to what they say. Is there any disrespect? Does someone have their arms crossed? Do they look at the other person when they're talking? Does their approach seem presidential?” Lantz explained..
The pollster and political strategist suggested voters will be interested to see whether Trump can “remain silent” and “listen to the reactions” and whether Harris “appears open-minded” and is “willing to accept information.”
