Is McCarthy right?
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) recently offered advice to former President Donald Trump on how to handle Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. In an interview on Fox News, McCarthy suggested that Trump should shift his focus from questioning the size of Harris’s rally crowds to scrutinizing her record and policy positions.
McCarthy emphasized that the campaign should not be about personalities but rather about policies and performance. “Instead of questioning how many people show up to her events, focus on her record,” McCarthy said. He recommended Trump challenge Harris on her tenure as California’s Attorney General, particularly her handling of crime, and her effectiveness as the so-called “border czar,” pointing out the lack of progress on border security during her watch.
Additionally, McCarthy urged Trump to critique Harris on inflation, as she played a key role as the tiebreaking vote on major legislation that has shaped the Biden-Harris administration’s economic policy. He also highlighted Harris’s shifting stances on various issues, labeling her as one of the most inconsistent politicians. “If you thought John Kerry was a flip-flopper, wait until you see Kamala Harris,” McCarthy said. “She’s changed her positions on numerous policies, and that’s a critical point to address.”
McCarthy’s advice contrasts with Trump’s current strategy, which has prominently featured criticisms of Harris’s rally sizes. Over the weekend, Trump took to Truth Social to allege that Harris’s crowd sizes were exaggerated using artificial intelligence. He claimed that recent images showing large crowds were fabricated, calling Harris a “CHEATER” and alleging that her rallies were misleadingly portrayed as more attended than they were.
In response, Harris’s campaign dismissed these claims, asserting that Trump’s focus on rally sizes was a diversion. They provided evidence of a large crowd at a recent event in Michigan and criticized Trump for his lack of recent campaigning in key swing states, implying that his energy and focus might be waning.
McCarthy’s perspective suggests a more policy-focused approach to the campaign, aiming to leverage Harris’s record and policy inconsistencies rather than her crowd numbers.
