Jen Psaki: 3 crucial debate tasks for Harris

She is about to have her first — and possibly only — chance to debate Trump [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki Saturday, September 07, 2024 [Beating Trump at the debate]( [Alternate text] [By Jen Psaki](   This year has already shown debates can have an [incredible impact](. Now, we’ll have another chance to see their importance. On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris will have her first — and possibly only — opportunity to stand on a stage and debate [Donald Trump](. Because Trump opted to avoid the peaceful transition of power with his actions [on Jan. 6, 2021,]( Harris and Trump have never met. That adds some drama to the initial moments of the debate, raising the question of whether they shake hands. (My view is that she should try.) Right now, Harris and her team are holed up in Pittsburgh preparing for the debate. Here are three things that I wager they are thinking about: How she should react to a Trump attack. Trump loves going on offense, and it’s more than likely that he’ll launch attacks that are lacking in facts, racist or sexist, and possibly all three at once. She and her team have deployed a smart strategy of making Trump seem small and ignoring his most juvenile attacks. The challenge for her is that this debate is also about introducing herself to viewers who are still on the fence. There’s a delicate balance between hitting back and communicating a message about herself and her own approach. How she can expand her coalition. Harris has made tremendous headway bringing voters back to the Democratic column, especially key voting blocs such as young people and Black and Latino voters. But she still needs to gain more among these groups to reach the levels [where Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden were]( at this time in their races. To do that, she’ll need to tie her debate answers into her forward-looking vision for the country, presenting herself as the change candidate and Trump as the tired, old dog with no new ideas. How she can draw a contrast with Trump. Every election is a choice. There are few moments that make that choice more clear than when the two candidates are standing side by side on the debate stage. Harris and Walz have worked to frame the choice as Trump is fighting for himself while they are fighting for working people. That contrast needs to be presented loud and clear in this debate. [Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here.](//link.msnbc.com/click/36660003.70453/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL2luc2lkZS13aXRoLWplbi1wc2FraS9oaWxsYXJ5LWNsaW50b24tamVuLXBzYWtpLWludGVydmlldy1yY25hMTExNDU1P2NpZD1lbWxfbWRhXzIwMjQwOTA3JnVzZXJfZW1haWw9ZDdkYzc0NTE3Mjk3YjM5NzFhYTE0ZDZmMzMxMTM1YTA4NzhmOGY2NDBmYTFhMTAxOWYxNTdiNjVjMWI1ZGQxZA/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914Be9e50d24And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC.     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [JORDAN RUBIN]( [Judge Chutkan calls out Cannon's reasoning for dismissal of Trump's classified documents case]( The judge in Trump's D.C. case didn't sound impressed with the Florida judge's ruling. Ultimately, it may be the Supreme Court's view that counts. [Read more.]( [KATELYN BURNS]( [J.K. Rowling's bigotry is past the point of no return]( J.K. Rowling went after trans Paralympian sprinter Valentina Petrillo — and failed. [Read more.]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( [American woman killed in West Bank while protesting Israeli settlements]( Aysenur Egzi Eygi was protesting the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements when the Israeli army “intentionally shot and killed” her, the International Solidarity Movement said. [Read more.]( [JA'HAN JONES]( [Barron Trump is steering his dad toward toxic podcasters]( Donald Trump said his youngest son is helping him win over Gen Z voters by teaching him about far-right influencers like Adin Ross. [Read more.](     TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE]( '[Hell has frozen over': Nicolle Wallace's reaction to Dick Cheney supporting Kamala Harris]( [WATCH NOW]( [ALL IN]( [Trump mocks his sexual assault accuser: 'She would not have been the chosen one']( [WATCH NOW]( [ANA CABRERA REPORTS]( [Georgia high school shooting suspect, father appear in court]( [WATCH NOW]( [CHRIS JANSING REPORTS]( [Could Trump's sentencing delay backfire?]( [WATCH NOW]( [MORE FROM MSNBC]( [Alternate text] A special bonus episode of “Ultra” is now available exclusively for MSNBC Premium subscribers. Rachel Maddow discusses season two of her award-winning podcast with U.S. Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, President Biden’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. They delve into the roots of antisemitism and Holocaust denial, and the U.S. government's ongoing global efforts to combat antisemitism. [Subscribe to MSNBC Premium]( on Apple Podcasts and listen to this special bonus episode now.   msnbc.com/democracy2024 On Saturday, September 7th, you can attend "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024," our premiere fan event in Brooklyn, New York. This first of its kind in-person, interactive experience will offer inside perspectives from some of your favorite hosts and experts as we approach a historic election and a pivotal moment in our democracy. [Buy your tickets today.](msnbc.com/democracy2024)   MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   This weekend on MSNBC SATURDAY - MSNBC’s “The Weekend” at 8am ET: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)… Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.)… North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton - MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” at 5pm ET: Rep. Suzan DelBe SUNDAY - MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki” at 12pm ET: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.)… Harris-Walz Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler… James Carville - MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show” at 6pm ET: Harris-Walz Campaign National Co-Chair Mitch Landrieu… Stuart Stevens… George Whitesides *Subject to change   [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)