Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, said on his podcast Friday that Vice President Kamala Harris' request for a second debate indicates her “internal polling” may be lagging.
After the first debate between former President Donald Trump and Harris, some political commentators were favored to have Harris win, but on “The Victor Davis Hanson Show,” Hanson said: attention If Harris' team is confident of victory, they would not “take a risk” by appearing a second time, as the team has called for a second debate. (RELATED: Harris Faulkner Tells Democrats 'I Didn't Even Need to Google' to Know Kamala Harris Lied During Debate)
“Trump was absolutely right and said, 'Yes, if you're looking for a prize fight… the first person to ask for a rematch knows they lost,' which is one interpretation. Another interpretation is that it's a close race and they've won a point and they think they'll win another point. But whatever the interpretation, I don't think her internal polling shows she's in the lead,” Hanson said.
“If they really believe she won the debate and is riding high, they don't want to take any risks, just like they don't want to take any risks if they win $100 at the casino,” Hanson continued.
While some say Harris won the debate against Trump, Hanson criticised her “content” and said Trump should refuse to go on air with certain media outlets if a second debate were to take place.
Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, and Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by Winn McNamee/Getty Images)
“So I think they weren't sure. In elite tastes, it's all about behavior and attitude and mannerisms, which is good in a way, but the substance isn't as important. So they think she won the debate and maybe she can win again, but it also says something about whether it's even or she's losing,” Hanson said.
“I'm not sure that Trump should do that, and if he does, absolutely no one from NBC, ABC, CBS, CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, NPR or PBS should be on stage,” Hanson continued, “because they're going to do it again and provoke and provoke and provoke and provoke and provoke Trump.”
Trump said he would not seek another debate after Harris' campaign issued a statement calling for the two candidates to face off again. Prior to Tuesday, Trump had proposed two additional debates with Harris, hosted by Fox News on September 4 and NBC News on September 25.
“She didn't show up to the Fox debate and refused to appear on NBC and CBS. Kamala should focus on what she should have done the last four years. There will be no third debate,” Trump said. Written At Truth Social.
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